If you love Mexican food, you will want to invest in authentic Mexican clay pots for cooking. The different types include the Cazuela, Olla de Barro, Botella, and others. Here are a few things to remember before purchasing your own.
Cazuela
Cazuela is a Spanish word meaning “cooking pot.” These pottery pieces are designed for cooking. They range in size from small serving dishes to massive paella pots. The smallest cazuelas are about nine inches in diameter. The largest ones are almost twelve inches across.
Cazuelas are usually made of glazed terra cotta. They may have handles on both sides and a lid. They can also have glazed patterns. These pots are perfect for cooking casseroles, frying, roasting, and more. They’re also an excellent decorative accent for your table.
Cazuelas may need to be secured before you use them. You may need to soak them in salty water to remove any hardened food or oily residue. If you don’t have time to soak them in salt water, you can soak them in sudsy water.
Before using the pot for cooking, read the label to avoid lead. Some Mexican clay pots contain information in the glaze. To prevent lead poisoning, you should use lead-free versions. Lead-free ceramic pots are safe to use for cooking traditional Mexican recipes.
Mexican clay pots have a unique flavor that adds to your food. They can also be used as storage jars. However, they are fragile and easily broken if dropped. Despite this, they are straightforward to clean. Because they’re made of clay, the interior surface is smooth, and their texture is light, making them easier to clean.
Cazuela Mexican clay pots for baking, stewing, and simmering are famous for cooking. These pots are used for soups, stews, and traditional salsas. Many of these pots are designed with handles for easy handling over an open fire. They’re also decorated with attractive designs and bright colors.
Because clay pots are made of clay, proper care and handling are essential to keep them in good condition. Proper curing helps harden them and prevents damage. Before using your Cazuela Mexican clay pots for cooking, you should soak them overnight in water and wipe them dry. Then, rub a clove of garlic over them and add 1/2 cup vinegar to the pot. After this, place the pot over low heat and bring the water to a boil.
Olla de Barro
Olla de Barro Mexican clay pots are handmade and can be used for roasting, frying, and casseroles. These pots can be used over a gas or electric burner. When using clay pots on a gas or electric stove, ensure they cool completely before handling. Then, rinse them well, and air dry them before using them. Since these pots are handmade, some pieces may have minor chipping. They are great for serving Mexican food and adding a touch of Mexican-style decor to your kitchen.
Clay pots have been used in Mexico for centuries. Today, you can find them in almost every Mexican kitchen. These pots give food a distinct flavor that is difficult to reproduce with metal pots. Many clay ollas are shallow clay casserole dishes with handles. They are often decorated with colorful designs for simmering mole and traditional salsas.
While cafe de olla is a Mexican national tradition, its popularity has spread internationally. Today, it is a beloved beverage and a symbol of Mexican culture. A cup of cafe de olla is a warming and calming drink. The traditional brewing process involves an earthen vessel or clay pot.
Olla de Barro pots are made of redware clay and are used for simmering stews, soups, and beans. They cook evenly and have a distinctive earthy flavor. Similarly, olla pots are often used as storage vessels. Some even serve as funerary urns.
Another use for ollas is irrigation. Ollas are placed in the ground with the neck above the soil and filled with water. Afterward, plants are planted around them. In a 100-square-foot garden, five ollas can be used for irrigation. Caps on the ollas help reduce evaporation and collect rain.
When using olla de Barro Mexican clay pots for cooking, it is essential to remember that these pots are made from natural clay and may require a few months to cure. This is necessary to ensure that the banks are safe to use.
Aside from being excellent for simmering, clay pots are also suitable for braising and stewing. Their porous properties allow them to retain heat longer than metal pots. Moreover, unglazed pots can be soaked before use to increase the steam produced during cooking.
Botella
While cooking in Mexican clay pots is generally safe, you must know some safety precautions. For instance, you should never use the banks over a direct flame. For this reason, you should use a diffuser or a small gas burner. Also, it is essential to allow the pots to cool completely before using them. Once they are cool, you can use them for cooking traditional Mexican dishes.
Clay pots are the most common cooking medium used in Mexico. They are made from clay and earthenware and are glazed on the inside and outside. They are then fired over low heat to develop a distinctive flavor. When using clay pots, avoid those with lead-glazed interiors, which can affect food safety. It would help if you also ensured that the pots had the “safe for food” stamp.
If you are concerned about lead in the pots, read the manufacturer’s description carefully. Older Mexican clay pots can still contain information. You may undergo a long process to remove the lead from them. Luckily, there are newer versions of Mexican clay cooking pots on the market.
Whether buying a new pot or looking for an old favorite, Mexican clay pots can make a beautiful addition to your kitchen. These pots are ideal for cooking Mexican food and entertaining. They have several distinct advantages. The wide bottom is perfect for simmering beans, and the narrow top prevents the broth from evaporating.
The clay pots can be fragile, so be careful when using them. A slip or accidental drop can shatter the bank, so taking precautions is essential. For example, it’s wise to use a pot cushion when using them. You can use Mexican clay pots for cooking seafood stew, Mexican cafe con Leche, and hot chocolate.
Clay is a natural material that can be safely processed for cooking. In the past, artisans used toxic materials to glaze their clay casseroles, but environmental regulations forced them to adopt more natural finishes. Today, there are government programs to ensure the safe production of clay pots for cooking. This way, consumers can be assured that their pots come from a reputable source.