Baking is an age-old culinary art that is all about perfection and technique.
But what makes this art so exquisite is that it has the right balance of ingredients, recipe and methods for making that perfect baked delight.
As much as we love gorging on baked delights, the art of making them is equally important, but can you imagine baking without an oven?
Well, this may sound strange, but there are so many interesting ways in which you can make baked delights without putting in much effort.
So, follow us through these alternate techniques to make your favorite baked delicacies, too, without an oven.
1. Stove baking
Baking on a stove involves using a heavy-bottomed pan with a lid to create an oven-like temperature. Here’s how you can do it:
To follow this method, just use a thick-bottomed pan like a heavy skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Before baking the delicacies, place the pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat to preheat.
While the pan heats up, prepare your cake batter, bread dough, or cookie dough as usual. Pour the batter or place the dough in a suitable baking dish that fits inside the pan. Cover with the lid and bake on low heat, adjusting as needed to maintain a gentle, consistent temperature. Use a toothpick or skewer to test for doneness, adjusting the cooking time as necessary. Stovetop baking is versatile and allows you to bake a variety of items like cakes, cookies, and breads.
2. Pressure cooker
Baking in a pressure cooker is also a wonderful way to bake without an oven. To bake a delight, just place a rack inside the pressure cooker and add water to the bottom, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Use an oven-safe dish or a cake pan that fits comfortably inside the pressure cooker. Pour the batter, let it settle and seal the lid. Allow it to bake on a low-medium flame.
Once baking is complete, release the pressure slowly and carefully remove the baked goods. Pressure cookers can bake cakes, bread, puddings and custards, to name a few.
3. Vessel or earthen pot
Baking in an earthen pot, also known as clay pot baking, is an age-old technique of baking several regional delicacies, which helps in retaining the taste and textures. imparts a unique flavor and texture to dishes. Here’s how you can bake in an earthen pot:
Before baking the delight, soak the pot in water for at least 1-2 hours to prevent it from cracking during baking.
If your recipe requires preheating, place the earthen pot in a cold oven and gradually increase the temperature to the desired baking temperature as the pot warms up. This helps prevent sudden temperature changes that could crack the pot.
This method is used to bake bread, cake, or traditional baked dish, prepare your recipe as usual. Place the prepared dish inside the preheated earthen pot. Cover the pot with its lid, with a layer of foil, or seal the corners with dough. Make sure that you heat the pot on low heat to avoid breaking the pot.
Once the baked delight is cooked, carefully remove the dish from the earthen pot. Allow it to cool slightly before serving and enjoying its enticing and rustic flavor.