Oh, the possibilities! Clay pots are amazing for slow-cooked stews, braised meats, and artisan bread. The steam creates a crust that’ll make you weep with joy. I once made a whole chicken in one. It was so tender, it basically fell apart when I looked at it. No joke.
Clay Pot For Cooking Roasting at Renee Jeter blog
You can also do rice dishes (hello, clay pot rice!), vegetable tagines, and even baked beans. Just avoid anything with high acid, like tomato sauce, unless your pot is glazed. Acid can leach out minerals from unglazed clay. Tastes a bit… earthy. In a bad way.
The Dreaded Dishwasher Question
Can you put a clay pot in the dishwasher? Hey, it’s a free country. But your pot will probably hate you. Hand wash only, with mild soap and a soft sponge. Rinse well. And never use soap on unglazed pots—it traps odors. Just hot water and a scrub brush. Your pot will smell like last week’s chili forever? Maybe. But that’s called “seasoning.” It’s fine.
Dry it completely before storing. And store it with the lid slightly off, or it’ll get musty. Clay pots are needy, but they reward you with food that tastes like it was made by a medieval wizard.
