Three Unique Ways Of Cooking With Your Wok

Many households own a wok, but only tend to use it for the ubiquitous stir fry. Although this is one of the most popular uses for a wok, it's not the only cooking method available with this versatile piece of cookware. Here are three unique ways to use your wok that will make it one of your essential go-to items in the kitchen: 

1. Smoking food in the wok 

Many home cooks tend to presume that smoking food is only for professionals, and although countertop smoke boxes and dedicated equipment are available for those who love to smoke their own food regularly, the wok can offer a handy alternative and produce delicately smoked, delicious food. Seafood responds particularly well to smoking techniques in a wok. For example, for tea-smoked salmon, simply place some tea leaves (LapsangSouchong and Oolong are good choices), rice and sugar in the wok, heat until smoking and place the salmon fillet on a raised rack above the leaves. Cover with foil and in a few minutes the smoke will infuse the salmon with a delicious, delicate flavour.

2. Steaming in the wok

If you own a wok, you're probably already exploring the many Eastern dishes that can be made with it. A bamboo steamer can be used in conjunction with the wok to steam food to perfection. Place about an inch of water in the bottom of your wok, followed by the steamer containing the food of your choice (small vegetables or Chinese style dim sum work well). Cover, and the steam will gently cook the food within. To ensure you remove the food safely, it's best to use kitchen tongs when removing the lid and food, too.

3. Deep frying in the wok

You don't need a dedicated deep-fryer to achieve crisp, delicate fried food - you can use your wok for small deep-frying tasks such as tempura or small fritters. Fry your items as you would in a deep fryer - due to its roomy size, you can deep fry several items of food without crowding the pan (which usually leads to soggy fried food). You can also use less oil than usual, and deep-frying can help to keep your wok seasoned.

A good wok will repay you again and again with its many culinary uses in the kitchen - these three ways will hopefully inspire you to try more adventurous cooking methods with your wok.