Cooking with a wok allows for quick, high-temperature meals. Tips include using the right size wok, seasoning it for optimal flavor, using oils with a high smoke point, and preparing ingredients ahead of time.
Cooking with a wok makes for many mouthwatering meals, with stir-fry being the most notable dish. The unique shape of the wok allows food to be cooked at a high temperature very quickly. Some of the best tips for cooking with a wok are using the right size wok for the meal, seasoning the wok for optimal food flavor, using the right cooking oil, and preparing the ingredients ahead of time.
Using the right size wok is important for the type of meal you are preparing and the size of the cooking zone. When cooking with a wok to prepare rice or soup, use a wok approximately 61cm in diameter to accommodate the water needed for those dishes. For stir-frying or other dishes that require high heat, a 16-inch or smaller wok is the best option. Always leave 2-4 inches (5.1-10.2 cm) of additional space at the top of the wok so that it is easier to mix ingredients and the food spends more time in the hot spot of the wok, where it will cook to perfection. freshness and texture.
A well seasoned wok is the key to creating the distinctive wok flavour, or wok hei. To season a wok, smear the surface of the wok with lard, heat the lard on high, and tilt the wok to distribute it evenly over the surface. Let the wok cool and wipe off any excess fat. Heat the wok again until it smokes and repeat the whole process until the wok is shiny and dark and leaves no brown or black residue on a paper towel. Reseat the wok as needed, usually when the finish starts to erode.
When cooking with a wok, it’s best to use oils that have a high smoke point and that contain a low amount of polyunsaturated fat. Oils that meet these criteria include peanut oil, soybean oil, and grape seed oil. Preheat the wok before adding these oils to open the pores and release the flavors held in the wok.
Another tip for cooking with a wok is to prepare all the ingredients in advance. Woks cook very quickly and use high levels of heat, thanks to their unique design. It is important to be near the wok at all times to keep an eye on the process. Having to walk away from the cooking area to pull something out of a refrigerator or cut other vegetables could lead to overcooking or burning your meal.
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