Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, 210 countries and territories are now in a lockdown situation to contain the pandemic. Billions of people are now following strict Govt. regulations to stay home and maintain social distancing.
COVID-19 infections and death tolls are ever-increasing with the timeline. Almost 4 million people are infected and nearly 300 hundred thousand people have died in the last four months. As the COVID-19 vaccination is still under process, countries have to stretch lockdown to save lives.
Because of the lockdown situation, most restaurants are now closed and only a few of them are offering home deliveries. But, appetite never stops. Most folks have increased culinary activities in the kitchen to meet their hunger or to prepare delicious meals of their choice.
As the cooking expedition stretches, you are finding needs for new kitchen appliances and accessories. Also, a lack of knowledge about cooking essentials is pulling you back from preparing the most mouthwatering items in dining. Before you grow your chef’s spirits, it’s time to know some of the common cooking essentials that can help you in these lockdown days.
1. Smokeless Indoor Grills
No matter how long lockdown continues, cravings for grill items are difficult to control. In these days of the pandemic, outdoor cooking mostly BBQ items are the one that knocks us hard inside. But, the invisible enemy is playing tough and you are forced to maintain social distancing whenever you are out of your home.
Lockdown days are great opportunities to gain some cooking skills and learn to toy with the preparation of delicious dishes. No chef gained cooking excellence overnight. If you try these, surely you can find curves of improvement even in a disdain lockdown situation. Who knows these cooking essentials may glorify your talents in cooking.
You can still meet up your barbecue craving if you have smokeless indoor grills at home. Just like outdoor cooking, these grills can put up a show on meat, fish, veggie, burger patties, sausage, and more. Because of non-stick surface and temperature control it is easy to use and clean.
Furthermore, this cooking appliance preserves the flavor and smoky taste of your foods. . Also, it produces the least amount of spills and splatters during cooking. Some models also have timers to help control the temperature of your dishes. For grill lovers, this is an item to watch out in the lockdown crisis.
2. Pressure Cooker
Your kitchen is always incomplete without the inclusion of a pressure cooker. The airtight container uses steam pressure to cook items quickly. Because of high pressure, pressure cookers can force moistures in tough food items like beef or pulses for faster cooking.
Though in early days pressure cookers operated through spring-loaded valves, modern pressure cookers are mostly electric. They have timers with smart programming systems where you can select temperature, pressure, duration, heating intensity according to your dishes.
3. Slow Cooker
In case you are dying for the best-braised beef or good pot roast, a slow cooker is your solution to help such appetite. Because of low-temperature and slow cooking processes, it can extract more flavors out of your food. Slow cookers make the heat at the base and slowly transfer it to all over the vessels.
Because of one-step preparation, it is easy to clean up after cooking. Depending on your recipes, slow cookers can take up to eight hours to prepare your dishes. It generally has two to three settings with capacity ranging from one to seven quarts. You can cook hundreds of recipes with slow cookers like burritos, curries, soups, and many more.
4. Air Fryers
When it comes to pizzas, Fried chicken, or any junk food, the list is incomplete without french fries. A good bowl of hot french fries can surely lift your mood in this lockdown era of virus containment. Air fryers use conventional mechanisms and circulate hot air to cook food items.
Air fryers use little or no added oil to fry food items. Instead of submerging your foods in oil, you can try air fryers for the best healthy eating. This machine can circulate hot air up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and it is perfect to fry fish, chicken, potato chips, pastries, and more. Furthermore, most air fryers are dishwasher safe for all removable parts.
5. Food Steamers
This is the ancient Chinese concept of steaming food and keeps it juicy before eating. The food steamer is a small kitchen appliance that cooks food by holding it in a small closed vessel.
In conventional cooking, foods can lose nutrients like niacin, biotin, thiamine, riboflavin, Vitamin C, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, etc. But, food steamers keep them intact and you get the maximum nutrients from your food.
Most food steamers have two or more chambers. In the lower chamber you have pots to heat water and produce steam. In the upper chamber, place vegetables, fish, meat with salt and spices. Then steam it for generally 30 to 40 minutes.
Food steamers are available in different varieties, like aluminum food steamer, electric food steamer, microwave food steamer, as well as the ancient bamboo steamer. All of them function quite similarly but there is a slight difference in terms of effectiveness. Hard solid food items like beef, beans, etc. are not suitable to cook through steamers.
6. Blenders
In these hot summer days of lockdown, you may have a desire for smoothies or milkshakes. When it comes to chopping, mixing, or pureeing food items, a blender is the best option .. Also, you can use a blender to grind spices for other recipes in the kitchen. It’s quick and fast to prepare dishes for your dining.
Blender can be of three different types- countertop blenders, hand blender, and personal size blenders. Without using a blender, it is almost impossible to bring homogenous texture to your food items. Besides, blenders are affordable, easy to use, and clean.
7. Deep Fryer
If you are trying something crispy and deeply indulged with its characteristic taste, then try a deep fryer to cook such items. In a deep-fryer, foods are submerged in oils at high heat nearly 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Deep fryers can be found for both household or commercial purposes.
It is simple to use a deep fryer. Put your food items in a basket and lower it in an oil tank. Make sure you preheat your oil tank and submerge your food in oil. Keep frying until the brown color appears. The deep fryer recipe list is too long to describe. From fried chicken to bakery items, corn fritters to spring roll all are possible if you have a deep fryer.
FAQ
Can I use an indoor grill for outdoor cooking?
Indoor grills are specifically designed for indoor use and may not be suitable or safe for outdoor cooking due to their electrical components and limitations in handling outdoor conditions.
Are pressure cookers safe to use?
When used properly and following the manufacturer’s instructions, pressure cookers are safe to use. Modern pressure cookers have safety features like locking mechanisms and pressure release valves to prevent accidents.
What can I cook in a slow cooker?
Slow cookers are versatile and can be used to prepare a wide range of dishes, including stews, soups, chili, roasts, pulled pork, and even desserts like bread pudding or fruit compote.
How does an air fryer work without oil?
Air fryers use hot air circulation and convection cooking to achieve a crispy texture without needing excessive oil. The circulating hot air creates a similar effect to deep frying, resulting in crispy and evenly cooked food.
Can I steam multiple food items simultaneously in a food steamer?
Yes, most food steamers come with multiple chambers or tiers, allowing you to steam different food items simultaneously. Each chamber can hold a separate dish, allowing for convenient and efficient steaming.
What can I make with a blender besides smoothies?
Blenders are versatile and can be used to make sauces, purees, dressings, salsas, dips, pancake batter, milkshakes, and even homemade nut butters or baby food.
Are deep fryers only used for frying?
Deep fryers are primarily used for frying, but they can also be used for other cooking methods like boiling, searing, or blanching certain foods. However, their main function is to achieve deep-fried textures and flavors.
Can I use a slow cooker to cook frozen ingredients?
It is generally recommended to thaw ingredients before using them in a slow cooker. Starting with thawed ingredients ensures that the food reaches a safe internal temperature and cooks evenly.
How do I clean an air fryer?
Air fryers are typically easy to clean as many models have removable parts that are dishwasher safe. The non-stick coating makes it easy to wipe off any residue, and the fryer basket can be hand-washed with warm soapy water.
Can I use a blender to crush ice?
Yes, most blenders have the capability to crush ice. However, it is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions and the blender’s specifications to ensure it is suitable for ice crushing without damaging the blades or motor.
Final Verdict
Lockdown days are great opportunities to gain some cooking skills and learn to toy with the preparation of delicious dishes. No chef gained cooking excellence overnight. If you try these, surely you can find curves of improvement even in a disdain lockdown situation. Who knows these cooking essentials may glorify your talents in cooking.
