What should I pay attention to when cooking with a simmering pot?

What should I pay attention to when cooking with a simmering pot?
The simmering pot is a very convenient cooking tool that can use the residual heat of hot water to slowly cook food without electricity or gas. Cooking with a simmering pot not only saves energy, but also keeps the food original. However, in order to ensure the cooking effect and food safety, you need to pay attention to the following points when using a simmering pot.

1. Ingredient preparation
1. Ingredient selection
It is very important to choose ingredients suitable for cooking in a simmering pot. Generally speaking, ingredients suitable for long-term cooking such as beans, grains, meat and root vegetables are good choices. For example, red beans, mung beans, rice, millet, beef, chicken, carrots, potatoes, etc. These ingredients can fully absorb water during the long cooking process and become soft and delicious.
2. Ingredient processing
Before putting the ingredients into the simmering pot, they need to be properly processed. For example, beans and grains need to be soaked in advance to shorten the cooking time and make the taste better. Meat can be blanched in boiling water first to remove blood and impurities. Vegetables need to be cleaned and cut into pieces of appropriate size to better absorb heat and moisture.
3. Ingredients matching
Rational matching of ingredients not only improves the taste, but also ensures balanced nutrition. For example, beans can be paired with grains, and meat can be paired with vegetables. This not only makes the food more delicious, but also makes full use of the cooking effect of the slow cooker.

2. Cooking process
1. Hot water temperature
The cooking effect of the slow cooker depends largely on the temperature of the hot water. Generally speaking, using boiling water can better stimulate the flavor of the ingredients and shorten the cooking time. After boiling the water, let it cool slightly before pouring it into the slow cooker to avoid scalding.
2. Order of ingredients
When putting ingredients into the slow cooker, it is recommended to put the harder-to-cook ingredients, such as beans and meat, first, and then the easier-to-cook ingredients, such as vegetables and grains. This ensures that all ingredients are evenly heated during the cooking process and reach the ideal degree of doneness.
3. Cooking time
The cooking time of the slow cooker depends on the type and quantity of ingredients. Generally speaking, beans and grains require a longer cooking time, which may take 6-8 hours; meat and vegetables are relatively shorter, which may take 4-6 hours. It can be adjusted according to the specific situation and taste requirements of the ingredients.
4. Stirring
During the cooking process, it is recommended to gently stir the ingredients at intervals to ensure that the ingredients are evenly heated. But it should be noted that you should be careful when stirring to avoid burns.

III. Safety and Cleaning
1. Safe Use
When using the simmering pot, pay attention to safety. First, make sure that the simmering pot is well sealed to prevent hot water leakage. Secondly, when pouring hot water and taking out ingredients, be careful to avoid burns. In addition, do not place the simmering pot where children can reach it to avoid accidents.
2. Cleaning and Storage
After using the simmering pot, clean it in time. You can use a mild detergent and a soft cloth to clean it, and avoid using a rough brush or steel wool to avoid scratching the pot. After cleaning, dry the simmering pot thoroughly and store it in a dry and ventilated place to extend its service life.

IV. Other precautions
1. Ingredient quantity
When using a stew pot, pay attention to the amount of ingredients. Generally speaking, the ingredients should not exceed 3/4 of the capacity of the stew pot to ensure that there is enough space for hot water to circulate and the ingredients are evenly heated.
2. Water volume
The amount of water is also an important factor affecting the cooking effect. Generally speaking, the amount of water should cover the ingredients, but not too much, so as not to affect the taste. The amount of water can be adjusted appropriately according to the water absorption of the ingredients.
3. Freshness of ingredients
Using fresh ingredients can better ensure cooking results and food safety. Try to choose fresh ingredients and properly handle them before cooking to ensure the quality of the ingredients.
4. Seasoning of ingredients
During the cooking process, you can add appropriate seasonings such as salt, pepper, spices, etc. according to your personal taste. But it should be noted that the amount of seasoning added should be moderate so as not to affect the original flavor of the food.
Through the above precautions, you can better use the stew pot for cooking and enjoy delicious and healthy food.