Originally from China, woks have spread worldwide as one of the most versatile cooking utensils available. Although they are available in many different materials and shapes, these circular frying pans’ trademark appearance is utilitarian.
This type of wok dates back to the Han era in China and has significant Asian roots. Flat-bottomed pans are becoming more popular since they are used for cooking more dishes than the more common round-bottomed ones. One long handle or two side handles are the most popular handle options.
Why do you need Woks?
- A wok’s unique shape means it can be used for various cooking methods like stir-frying.
- Because of the depth, it is used to boil meals in water or deep fry food in oil.
- You can also add wood chips to your pan to smoke meat or cheese.
- Steaming vegetables or shellfish are also done in a pan with a cover.
The healthiest option is available
The curvature influences cooking in a wok, just like in a frying pan. It is a better choice for your health due to its good heat retention and low cooking oil consumption.
Before serving, you may drain any remaining oil from a dish by pressing the food to the pan’s edge.
Creating a Routine for Your Meals
Woks distribute heat more evenly than an ordinary frying pan. This feature makes it easier to cook meat and vegetables in one pot.
When cooking harder meats or vegetables that take longer to cook, use the hot oil in the bottom of the pan, resulting in delicate fish and soft vegetables.
Even when the last ingredients are added, the previous components are still cooking, although at a slower pace. There is no risk of older ingredients being overcooked.
Can Accommodate All Ingredients
One benefit it has over a standard frying pan, as briefly discussed above, is its increased volume.
Edges should be as high as possible to accommodate more food. Cooking in more significant amounts means having more alternatives for tomorrow’s supper with the huge portions of leftovers.
You won’t have to clean up any splattered food off your burner, which will keep your kitchen hygienic.
Recipes and Cooking Advice for Stir-Fry
The first step is to organise your ingredients
After chopping all the ingredients into bite-sized pieces, begin heating your cooker by placing it over medium heat.
Because it just takes a few minutes to prepare, a stir-fry is an easy dish to create. You won’t have time to cut or seek items once you begin cooking. If you have a burner nearby, you may quickly add ingredients.
Add Ingredients
Aromatic ingredients like garlic and ginger are sautéed first until they become tender before adding the onion to the oil. Move your ingredients about the pan using a long spatula to avoid overcooking. While the rest of the vegetables and meats cook, sauté the tender ones until they are almost done, then move them to a bowl. You can add partially cooked meals to the woks and fry them till it is ready.
Cooking with a wok is a joy since it is so flexible. Its large capacity and high sides ensure that you don’t have to worry about food pouring down the counter when stirring in this container. One kitchen’s most important asset is the wok because of its versatility and affordable price. Its most well-known culinary use is stir-fry cooking, but it can also be used for other tasks.