As someone with even basic knowledge about cookware, one would know that stainless steel is one of the most famous types of cookware that are available on the market. A lot of professional chefs and cooks swear by using stainless steel utensils because of their easy application and cleaning process. However, as soon as one starts to use these utensils on their own, they realise that the process of using these utensils is not that easy.
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Stainless steel utensils also come with their own set of challenges, of which the primary is the sticking of food to the surface. As someone who has just started using these utensils, here are some tips that will come in handy for cooking the best type of food possible.
* Use A Lot Of Butter or Oil
While using stainless steel utensils, one has to keep in mind that they will have to use some form of fat. This may include butter, oil, or even ghee. While using stainless steel utensils, one can certainly not cut the amount of butter or ghee that is required to cook the food; otherwise, the food will not be cooked properly. For foods like meat and other sticky vegetables that tend to stick to the surface even after using a lot of fat, one can choose to cook these foods on low heat. Even though the food sticks, it will unstick itself within a few seconds so one doesn't have to worry about it.
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* Preheating
Preheating stainless steel utensils properly is very important because stainless steel utensils are not nonstick cookware. This means that these types of utensils require more time to be heated properly and evenly. One shouldn't pre-heat their stainless steel utensils on very high heat. Instead, they can simply heat it on a low flame. Everything, including oil and even food that has to be roasted, should only be added after the utensil has been heated for a few minutes. This promotes more even and consistent cooking.
* Avoid Overcrowding The Utensil With Food
Another common mistake that people often make while cooking food on stainless steel utensils is putting in a lot of food. Overcrowding stainless steel utensils is not a good idea because it may lead to uneven cooking and prevent the proper sautéing or browning of vegetables. To ensure that all the food is cooked properly and evenly, it is better to cook it in batches. One must avoid putting everything in the utensil at once to save time.
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* Give Time To Rest The Cooked Food
Cooking is a time-consuming process and anything that has been cooked in a hurry or rush will never taste as good as something cooked with patience. To achieve the perfect balance of flavours, one has to give time to the food. This is a very important tip that one should keep in mind while cooking food in stainless steel utensils specifically. While preheating the utensils may be helpful, the food is still going to take its time to get cooked properly. This is why one must avoid unwanted stirring or flipping of food.
* Use Quality Utensils
Stainless steel utensils are also available in a lot of different varieties and materials. While choosing one for yourself, one should be mindful of the shape and the material. There is a type of stainless steel utensil that is called thermal shock. These are extremely volatile and can also change their shape upon being exposed to heat. If one doesn't want this feature in their utensils, then they must carefully do a bit of research before buying anything from the market.
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* Do Not Use Too Many Acidic Ingredients
Although stainless steel is pretty durable, frequent use of too many acidic ingredients like lemons and tomatoes may lead to the erosion of the outer layer of stainless steel. Due to the discoloration or the removal of the outer layer, a metallic taste may be imparted to the food that people might not like. One can simply avoid using too many acidic ingredients or buy a non-reactive variety of stainless steel that is not as susceptible to erosion as the others.
* Don't Throw Away Anything
A lot of times, when small food particles remain stuck on stainless steel utensils, most people like to throw them away. However, throwing these food particles is not a good idea, as one can simply scratch them and still make them part of the dish. These particles can be immersed in the gravy or soup to incorporate the flavour of the dish. Stainless steel can withstand high temperatures, so it doesn't really burn the food but simply makes it stick to the surface.