Cover your frying pan in these 4 cases to make perfect dishes
Cover your frying pan in these 4 cases (photo: Freepik)
One of the most important things about cooking in a pan is choosing when and how to use the lid. This simple tool can have a significant impact on the final result: whether the dish is juicy, tender, or crispy.
When to cover the pan with a lid
Braising
If you are cooking dishes that contain liquid - stews, braises, steaks with sauce - a lid will help to retain heat and prevent evaporation.
In addition, braising meat or vegetables under a lid makes them more juicy and tender. In particular, braising is considered the best way to cook tough meat, such as ribs, pork shoulder, or brisket.
Cooking at high temperatures
Covering the pan with a lid for a short time when frying foods at high temperatures can improve the texture of the food. The heat is retained under the lid, which allows the food to cook faster while retaining the juices inside.
However, it is important not to exceed the cooking time so that the food does not become too soft or watery. For example, if the fish or meat is quite soft and tender, there is no need to cover the pan.
Preserving aroma and flavor
A lid on a frying pan helps to retain the flavors and aromas of the food, which is important, especially when using spices or aromatic herbs. For intense flavors in dishes such as curries, stews, or chili, covering the pan while cooking can be ideal.
Retain moisture in the food
If you are cooking foods that contain a lot of liquid, such as vegetables, a lid helps to retain the moisture that is necessary for even cooking. The lid keeps steam from escaping and prevents the food from drying out during the cooking process.
When it is better to cook without a lid
There are situations when you don't need to cover the pan with a lid. If you want to get a crispy crust on a dish, for example, when frying potatoes or chicken, you should leave the pan open.
This allows excess moisture to evaporate, and the food is cooked evenly and has a pleasant texture. In addition, if you need to thicken the liquid while cooking a sauce, remove the lid of the pan as well.
So, whether or not to cover the pan with a lid depends on the dish you are cooking. For cases where you need to preserve moisture or achieve even heating of food, a lid is an indispensable tool.
We recently wrote about the best sauces to match different types of pasta.
Read also how to make sour tangerines sweeter.
Sources: Serious Eats, Shuba, World of Tips, House of Cookware.
