By Sama Marwan,
Clay pots are considered a healthy choice because they do not react with food ingredients during cooking, unlike some other types of pots that may contain harmful chemicals.
Benefits of Clay in Cooking and Water Storage
Food cooked in clay pots has a unique taste. Here are the most important conditions for perfect results! The benefits of clay pots extend to several areas, as their importance has been proven in both distinctive and healthy cooking, as well as in water storage.
These benefits include:
- Non-reactive with food: Clay does not react with food like aluminum pots, making it safe and healthy for cooking.
- Unique flavor: It imparts a special and unique taste to food, enhancing the natural flavor of the ingredients.
- Preserves nutritional value: It takes less time on the stove, helping to retain the vitamins and minerals in the food.
- Maintains food texture: It keeps vegetables intact without wilting, allowing them to cook slowly without breaking apart.
- Retains heat: Clay retains the food’s temperature for a longer time, making it ideal for serving hot dishes.
- Healthy and environmentally friendly steam: The steam produced by clay pots is free from toxins, making it safe for the environment.
- Improves digestive health: It helps maintain the pH balance of water and acidic foods, supporting gut and digestive health.
- Healthy water from clay: Water stored in clay pots is free from impurities, which makes it beneficial for kidney health and helps remove stones and detoxify the body.
Famous Dishes Cooked in Clay Pots
Cooking in clay pots is one of the main features of Turkish cuisine, with some restaurants specializing in serving clay pot dishes.
Restaurants that follow the Turkish cooking style often include a few clay pot dishes in their menus, some of which date back centuries.
For example, there is the dish “Hunkar Begendi,” meaning “the one loved by the Sultan.” It is one of the famous dishes cooked in clay pots, specially prepared for Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz in 1869. At that time, Empress Eugenie, during her visit to Istanbul, ordered her chef to prepare bechamel sauce for the Sultan, which the Sultan’s chef later enhanced with eggplant and steamed meat.
Since then, it has spread throughout Turkey and continues to be a prominent dish on Turkish restaurant menus and in homes. Here are the advantages of cooking with clay pots: from rich flavor to retaining nutritional value.
Lamb is the most famous ingredient in clay pot dishes, with variations depending on the vegetables and spices added.
As demand for clay pot dishes grows, restaurant menus have expanded to include clay pot chicken and fish dishes to cater to all tastes.
Cities Famous for Their Clay Pot Dishes
Clay pot dishes are popular throughout Turkey, but some cities are particularly known for their long-standing traditions in this area or for their distinct taste.
Cities like Sivas, Afyon, Konya, Kayseri, and Malatya are renowned for their clay pot dishes, and some dishes are named after the cities they are associated with, such as Diyarbakir and Adana clay pot dishes.
The use of clay pots is not limited to savory dishes; they are also used to make some desserts that require ovens, like the dish “Sutlac,” a rice and milk dessert baked in the oven.
Turkish coffee also plays a role in the clay pot scene, with clay pots used to prepare it.
A Unique Dining Experience
The unique presentation draws tourists to try these dishes, and after tasting them, they discover other features that make them want to order again in the future.
Clay pot dishes stand out for their attractive shape and ability to retain heat for a long time, allowing diners to enjoy their food while it is still hot, as if it has just come out of the oven.
Clay pots are also a good choice for those wishing to maintain their health, as they are made from natural materials, and the steam produced during cooking is harmless. Here is a recipe for lamb cooked in a clay pot.
Cooking in clay pots helps preserve the beneficial elements in food ingredients.
How to Use Clay Pots
In addition to cooking, clay pots are used for serving at the table, and these types vary. Not all clay pots are suitable for cooking; only raw clay pots are. Glazed and colored pots are only suitable for serving.
These types differ when first used. Clay pots intended for cooking should not be used directly but should be oiled and placed in the oven for half an hour before their first use. After cooling, they can be washed and used. Glazed and colored pots, however, can be used immediately after washing.
The high demand for clay pots in Turkey has led to a flourishing trade. In addition to specialized stores selling clay pots, there are shops in almost every neighborhood that display a variety of them.
You may also encounter street vendors in narrow alleys with wooden carts carrying a selection of clay pots. Try making a chicken tagine in a clay pot.
Tips When Buying Clay Pots
- It is recommended to ensure that the clay pots are not painted, but rather in their natural color, which is characteristic of clay or loam.
- Before using unpainted clay pots, they should be baked in a gas oven or a traditional bakery oven to ensure their quality and suitability for cooking.
