Yeah, I've always been real wary of those cazuelas. But they are widely used. I just don't know how to use them. We did have a water jug with a cup that was earthenware. My husband loved that. It didn't have a shiny glaze on it though.
Here’s someone from Mexico showing how to season these pots so that they don’t break as easily. The actual seasoning starts at 5:30. The procedure is as follows: Soak for 24h with plain water, then let dry under the sun. Rub with garlic inside and out Fill with water and slaked lime Ca(OH)2 Boil until no water is left Rinse well and voilà! czcams.com/video/OfsZDgU1k9Y/video.html I haven’t tried this myself and so you’ll need to verify yourself. As she mentioned in her video, there are many ways to season these pots. My feeling is that there might be some validity to their methods but also think there is part Urban Myth. Slaked lime is alkaline but is that really enough to stop the lead from leeching out? She seems to do this seasoning to render these pots less fragile, not so much for the lead in them. Maybe hers don’t have any lead.
I'm a potter curing the pot in this way won't work at all. If lead is in a glaze it is there until the pot is gone. I could layer a safe food clear glaze over the top and fire to 1880f and there would still be dangerous lead in the pot. Food safety is a big issue with potters we do a lemon test. Where you squeeze lemon juice onto the pot and then put a lemon leave it overnight. If the glaze changes color where the lemon is the pot is not food safe and will leach metal into the food. This is also to test of the clay is vitrified. However, this will not tell you if there is lead in the glaze you will need to test the piece for lead. I personally would not use a pot with a lead glaze for cooking.
Hello! Can you recommend places in Chicagoland to buy a cazuela? Ps- I’m a huge fan - I can remember watching your PBS shows when I was 3-5 years old in the 90’s!!!
Of course they tell you it's leadless. I live in Mexico and they will say anything about any product, fabric dyes, silver, etc. to sell a product. They don't sell, they don't eat. You can even find pottery where they have written on the bottom 'lead free'. LOL
Where and how do you store all of your clay ware? I just bought a bunch and have no idea where to put it in my kitchen along with all of my other cazuelas /ollas 🙃
Yes they can. They can be used with a wood fire or on your stove if you have a gas stove. I also use them in the oven to heat them up before I cook on the stove or also for long braises. It really does make a difference with beans. Look for a recipe for frijoles de la olla - beans from the pot on this CZcams channel, and also from Patti Jinich. Of course you can make these in a conventional pan but there is a very distinct flavor and aroma that you'll only get from a casuela. I have no idea if it's safe on electric burners or induction burners. And always ask if it's lead free. You ask: Es sin plomo?
I just started collecting after watching De mi rancho a ti cocina so much on CZcams. Love using these pots
Isn't she great!
I like the turquoise enamelware too.
Always delivering the knowledge. Thanks Chef!
Gracias por tu amor a la cocina mexicana chef
Congratulations, I just made a dish based on your teachings and they reminded me my mother dishes!
Great video ricky...
Love your episodes. Great chef!!
Yeah, I've always been real wary of those cazuelas. But they are widely used. I just don't know how to use them. We did have a water jug with a cup that was earthenware. My husband loved that. It didn't have a shiny glaze on it though.
You are so right. They sell them at my local mercado and heart sings every time I lay eyes on them.
I only recently subscribed and really appreciate the Fundamentals videos like this one. Thank you!
Great content, gracias Rick.
Thank you. Maybe I'll. Just take some of those lead swabs with me. 😊
Great information. I would love to see exactly how you cook dishes in them though, using it a few different ways.
Thanks, Steve. Subscribe, won't you? More videos on the way.
Sweet!! Thankx Chef. Now, about finding that cast iron, ceramic coated cazuela...............🤗
Ok so my main question is can you use a clay pot on an electric burner. If yes what steps should I take to do it properly. Thanks chef
My family used to seal the underside of these pots with garlic. Takes ne back to a pleasant memory.
Here’s someone from Mexico showing how to season these pots so that they don’t break as easily. The actual seasoning starts at 5:30. The procedure is as follows:
Soak for 24h with plain water, then let dry under the sun.
Rub with garlic inside and out
Fill with water and slaked lime Ca(OH)2
Boil until no water is left
Rinse well and voilà!
czcams.com/video/OfsZDgU1k9Y/video.html
I haven’t tried this myself and so you’ll need to verify yourself. As she mentioned in her video, there are many ways to season these pots. My feeling is that there might be some validity to their methods but also think there is part Urban Myth. Slaked lime is alkaline but is that really enough to stop the lead from leeching out? She seems to do this seasoning to render these pots less fragile, not so much for the lead in them. Maybe hers don’t have any lead.
I'm a potter curing the pot in this way won't work at all. If lead is in a glaze it is there until the pot is gone. I could layer a safe food clear glaze over the top and fire to 1880f and there would still be dangerous lead in the pot. Food safety is a big issue with potters we do a lemon test. Where you squeeze lemon juice onto the pot and then put a lemon leave it overnight. If the glaze changes color where the lemon is the pot is not food safe and will leach metal into the food. This is also to test of the clay is vitrified. However, this will not tell you if there is lead in the glaze you will need to test the piece for lead. I personally would not use a pot with a lead glaze for cooking.
Thanks for sharing that. my brother in-law is Mexican and encourages us to visit.
What part of Mexico is he from?
Oh gonna buy one
Chef I just got two of them as a gift 👍😊
Hello! Can you recommend places in Chicagoland to buy a cazuela?
Ps- I’m a huge fan - I can remember watching your PBS shows when I was 3-5 years old in the 90’s!!!
Of course they tell you it's leadless. I live in Mexico and they will say anything about any product, fabric dyes, silver, etc. to sell a product. They don't sell, they don't eat. You can even find pottery where they have written on the bottom 'lead free'. LOL
The garlic is supposed to help cure the pot and guard it from cracking.
gj love it rb
Where and how do you store all of your clay ware? I just bought a bunch and have no idea where to put it in my kitchen along with all of my other cazuelas /ollas 🙃
so they can go on direct flame?
Yes they can.
They can be used with a wood fire or on your stove if you have a gas stove.
I also use them in the oven to heat them up before I cook on the stove or also for long braises.
It really does make a difference with beans.
Look for a recipe for frijoles de la olla - beans from the pot on this CZcams channel, and also from Patti Jinich.
Of course you can make these in a conventional pan but there is a very distinct flavor and aroma that you'll only get from a casuela.
I have no idea if it's safe on electric burners or induction burners.
And always ask if it's lead free.
You ask:
Es sin plomo?
For that extra piece-of-mind there are lead testing kits available on Amazon
What about talavera?
Thanks for this, yes, I'm also scared to put this earthen wear on an open flame, as I see them alway using these on a comal.
You can. I'm Mexican, I use one to cook beans on an open fire and it has not cracked. I've had it for years.
@@ma9c where did you get yours?
@@SiiNTi bought it at a local market. They're common over here and locally made.
You're not Mexican though, how are you an authority?