Since the sous vide cooking method was introduced, it has become a viral technique. This is because it allows home chefs to cook food in a controlled way without overcooking it and without burning the food. In this article, we will find several tips on how to get started with sous vide cooking.
What is Sous Vide Cooking?
Sous Vide cooking is a technique that uses a water bath to cook food in a controlled environment. This method can be used for foods that are not usually cooked in this way, such as short ribs or poultry.
To start with sous vide cooking, we must purchase an immersion circulator and some sous vide equipment. The circulator will heat the water to the correct temperature. At the same time, the equipment will keep the food sealed in its container. Many different recipes can be prepared using this technique, so it is best to start by exploring some online options.
Equipment and Tools Needed for Sous Vide Cooking
We will need some equipment if one is new to sous vide cooking. Here’s a list of what we recommend:
- Immersion circulator: This device allows us to precisely control the temperature of our water bath, which is crucial for successful sous vide cooking.
- Water bath: Unless we have an immersion circulator, our water bath will need to be large enough to hold our food and pot. We recommend a minimum size of 20 inches wide by 12 inches deep.
- Heatproof cookware set: We’ll need a pot that can withstand high temperatures and a lid that seals tightly. We recommend using silicone or stainless steel cookware for the best results.
- Vacuum sealer: This is essential for keeping foods moist and tender during long cooks.
- Food thermometer: To ensure our food is cooked to the correct temperature, we’ll need a reliable food thermometer.
Tips and Tricks for Beginning Sous Vide Cookers
Here are a few things to keep in mind when first starting with sous vide cooking:
- Get a good understanding of sous vide cooking before we start. There are a lot of technical terms and concepts involved, so make sure we have a solid understanding of them.
- Ensure our machine is correctly set up before cooking. Our device may need to be at a specific temperature or pressure to work correctly, so make sure to read the instructions that come with it.
- Be patient with sous vide cooking, as it can take some time to get used to, but it’s worth it! Once we have the basics, exploring different recipes and techniques will be easy and fun.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Sous vide cooking is versatile, so chances are there’s something out there that will work well for our particular needs. If something doesn’t turn out the way we intended, don’t be afraid to try again with a different recipe or technique – sous vide Cooking is all about experimentation!
- Keep a notebook nearby – while sous vide cooking is a hands-off process, it’s helpful to have a notebook nearby to jot down the details of our recipes and cooking times. This will make it easier for us to replicate them later if we want to.
Must-Try Sous Vide Recipes for Beginners
Plenty of recipes are available online for those just starting with sous vide cooking. Below are four beginner-friendly recipes to get started:
Roasted Asparagus with Arugula and Lemon
This dish is a great way to show off the versatility of sous vide cooking. By blanching the asparagus first in boiling water for two minutes, we stop it from becoming tough and woody. Then, cook it in a water bath at 154 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes until tender and slightly charred. Finally, let’s finish it with a quick toss of arugula and lemon juice.
Seared Scallops with Garlic and Tahini Sauce
These scallops are cooked quickly in a hot oven, then finished with a garlic tahini sauce. Tahini is a Middle Eastern paste made from ground sesame seeds that add a rich flavor and creaminess to sauces. We can substitute some honey or maple syrup for the tahini if desired.
Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Pork Loin
This recipe uses slow cooker technology to bring out the most delicious flavors in our pork loin. First, season the pork loin with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme. Then rub it with olive oil before placing it into our slow cooker on low heat for 8 hours. After 8 hours, remove the pork from the slow cooker and pour a honey glaze over it. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Seared Scallops with Bacon and Arugula
This dish features succulent scallops cooked quickly in a hot oven, then finished with a bacon and arugula mixture. Bacon is a pork product cured in an acid solution and then smoked. It has a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the bitterness of the arugula.
Unlocking the Mystery of Sous Vide
If one is looking for a way to elevate their cooking skills and make delicious food that is also healthy, then sous vide cooking might be the perfect solution. Sous vide cooking is a process in which sealed food is cooked under controlled conditions, usually at a very low temperature.
This allows chefs to create dishes with incredible textures and flavours that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve. If we are ready to take our cooking skills to the next level, let’s consider learning how to sous vide cook.