Useful Tips For Cooking With A Wok

A wok is a piece of utensil used for cooking whichthe electric stove is much needed in a household
is made from stainless steel, iron, copper orkitchen. The electric stove can also provide a
aluminum, having a handle on both sides. It hasconcave induction along the cooking surface. It
different features for different cooking styles.can also respond quickly to the changes in
Good quality woks have heavy features so that ittemperature. A type of wok that is perfect for a
can maintain heat. Woks come in different sizesflat round electric stove is the one with the round
for different recipes.flat bottom. People are now enjoying the benefits
• Stir-frying - This is considered as the classicand efficiency of using a wok.
way of cooking with the use of a wok. It givesA wok is a utensil used for cooking. It has special
off a smoky flavor because of the cookingfeatures for different cooking styles. It is made
technique, which is stirring. For the preparation,of stainless steel iron, copper or aluminum along
make sure all the ingredients are ready.with a handle found in both sides.
• Deep-frying - For this technique, make sureWoks are traditionally used in Chinese cuisine.
that there is enough oil in the wok. Aside fromChinese recipes have different techniques in
this, maintain a medium-high heat, which rangescooking. Due to its concave curve structure, heat
only up to 375 degrees. It has a built in structureis being distributed evenly. It is perfect for
that can maintain the heat. After this, you onlystir-frying as well. Aside from this, it has a hot
need to wait until the food turns golden-brown.spot on the bottom, giving more heat in very low
Hence, use a wire strainer in removing the foodto medium-high fire. This makes it perfect for
out of the wok. This is for draining the oil. Anotherdeep-frying. Wok even has features that can be
option is to place a paper towel on the plate.used for steaming foods.
Doing so will help absorb excess oils.Woks are also used in restaurants due to their
• Steam - With steaming using a wok, mostvery fast attribute of increasing temperature,
people often use bamboo steamers. A bambooallowing the cooking of food even in a short span
steamer is a round basket that holds the foodof time. Although there are various types of pans
over the steaming water. In order for the steamin the market today, the wok may be the chefs'
to come out, the lid should be tightly closed. Then,first choice.
place the bamboo steamer in the wok and fill itChefs can cook with their own style and
with some water. The water should be half inchtechnique. This piece of art wok makes cooking
below the steamer. After this, cover the wok andvery easy. The lower arm will then exert a large
let the water boil over high heat. The duration ofamount of force since this part is quite heavy,
the steaming process depends on the particularespecially if it is used in stir-frying. It's easy to stir
recipe. Next, carefully remove the bamboowhile cooking because the edges make the food
steamer from the wok. Another way of steamingseem to push up onto the sides.
is with the use of a so-called "wire streamer". ThisWoks have different handles, depending on the
is a good way of braising and smoking food. Allbrand and type. A wok that has a single handle
you need to do is to place the rack inside a wokwill help the chef toss the food. It also requires a
and add 1 inch water below the rack. Make surelarge amount of arm and wrist strength in order
the water does not touch the rack. You need toto produce this.
then arrange the food which can be steamed in aAt current, the most common material used in
heatproof plate. You will then put the plate on themaking woks are carbon steel and cast iron.
rack of the wok. Lastly, cover the wok andThese materials are more costly as compared to
maintain medium-heat or as directed in the recipe.the traditional ones. A non-stick wok which is
Hence, the curved shape of this utensil acts as itscovered with Teflon is the most used variety.
main advantage. This can make the large foodsAluminum is also the best conductor of heat. Plus,
shallow fried. The other spices are automaticallythis makes it much easier to clean. Although it's
deep-fried even with a small amount of oil. Asidethe traditional way, aluminum is still soft and can
from using gas, you can also make use of electricget easily damaged, making it durable for
heating elements for woks. Although usage of gassteaming. This is especially because of its lid.
can provide even heat at the bottom of the wok,