Helpful Tips on How to Cook in Your Wok

The Wok, which is basically a deep, round or flat bottom pan that's constructed of metal, was invented by the Chinese people thousands of years ago. Although it's main purpose is to stir-fry foods, a Wok is an all-purpose cooking vessel. Because, it can be used to boil, braise, stew, steam and even deep-fry a variety of foods as well. You've probably already realized the beauty of using a Wok in your kitchen to create an array of mouth-watering recipes. Here are some helpful tips on how to cook in your Wok that can enhance your cooking experience!

The Best Type of Wok
Although Woks are basically made the same, they are not all made out of the same types of metal. You can find Woks that are made of stainless steel, carbon steel and cast iron. Heavy carbon steel Woks seem to be cooks' choice because they heat up quickly and evenly. They are also easy to season.

The best type of Wok has a lid so you can use it to steam foods.

Prepare the Ingredients First
Another helpful tip on how to cook in your Wok is to prepare the ingredients first before you begin to cook. Assemble the meats, vegetables, et cetera, you need, then clean and/or cut them up. Unless you're following a recipe that tells you otherwise, you should cut everything into bite-sized pieces so they'll cook evenly.

Choose the Best Cooking Oil
When you stir-fry in your Wok, you'll need to choose the best cooking oil for the job. A helpful tip on how to cook in your Wok is to use peanut oil whenever you're preparing a traditional Asian recipe. Plain old vegetable oil is suitable for many dishes because it doesn't add a strong flavor. Canola oil doesn't add a lot of flavor either. Virgin olive oil has a high smoking point, which makes it especially suitable for use in your Wok. Plus, it will add an olive flavor to your foods.