Mastering the art of boiling milk is everyone’s dream. You blink your eyes, and the liquid will spill outside the vessel. You forget about it for just a minute, and it will start burning. While it is nothing but putting a container filled with milk on the gas stove and waiting for it to boil, it is a task that every seasoned cook would like to avoid.
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Used in tea, coffee, kheer, and other sweet delicacies, milk is a crucial part of Indian cuisine. From favourites to sweets, it has found its way into every regional cuisine, household, and temple, where milk-based dishes are offered to Gods. If you want to make less of a mess while boiling milk, here is an easy guide for you.
Also Read: How To Make Creamy Milk At Home?
Do Use A Heavy-Bottomed Pot
When boiling milk, you must always use a heavy-bottomed pot. It ensures that the heat is spread evenly across the surface and prevents the milk from burning. It allows the liquid to heat up evenly and boil without the lingering smell or flavour of a burnt beverage.
Don’t Heat On High Flame
Many people put the vessel containing milk on high flame thinking that it will boil quickly. Doing this will only invite more tragedy. Not only does it increase the risks of spilling and mess but will also burn the milk, especially if you leave it unattended for even a fraction of a second.
Do Whisk In Between
If you stir milk while boiling, it can prevent it from spilling, even burning or sticking to the surface. This process also promotes even heating of the beverage. However, you must avoid stirring vigorously because it can lead to the formation of foam and increase the chances of spilling.
Don’t Reheat Boiled Milk
One of the things that you need to remember after boiling the milk is to reheat it. If you don’t want to compromise the texture and taste, you should use it as is. However, for tea and coffee, you can use cold and boiled milk.
Do Let The Milk Simmer
Many people try to bring the milk to a boil instantly. The right technique is to expose it to medium flame, and let it simmer. Once the liquid starts simmering, turn down the flame, and continue heating it. You should avoid boiling it over.
Don’t Boil Uncovered
While boiling milk, you must keep in mind not to heat it uncovered. This will allow it to boil over, spill, and create a mess that is hard to clean. You can cover it with a lid or a wooden plate to prevent it from boiling over.
Do Add Flavours After Careful Consideration
When you are making any milk-based dish, you need to be careful about the flavours you are adding to it. For example, sugar, spices, and vanilla extract should not be added altogether. You should add them slowly and stir well the ingredients so that they distribute across the vessel instead of settling at the bottom.
Don’t Store In Open Container
After boiling milk comes the task of storing it. First, you must not store hot milk in the refrigerator without cooling it at room temperature, or it will hamper the cooling system of the appliance. Second, you must not store the container without a lid, or else the milk will absorb odour from its surroundings and get spoiled.