Spanish cooking might require a little searching through the cupboards for the correct tools.
The tools used for Spanish cooking do not need to be expensive. Most food from this country can be created using tools found in most kitchens, however some specialized dishes require specialized pans or materials to make the food taste authentic.
Paella Pan
A paella pan is a large, round dish that should be large enough to cook for the whole family. Paella is a Spanish dish made with a variety of proteins including mussels, shrimp, clams and lobster, and served over rice. Generally, a paella pan is made from polished carbon steel, however it can be made from nonstick materials, copper or enameled steel. Whatever a paella pan is made from, it should be able to cook on a barbecue, open fire, a burner or in the oven.
Cazuelas
Every Spanish kitchen is equipped with at least one, but usually many cazuelas. A cazuela is a glazed terracotta dish. The size can vary from 4 inches to a foot in diameter. A cazuela is used to cook and serve tapas, roast vegetables, empanadas and a variety of other dishes. The first time a cazuela is used, soak it overnight and heat it slowly to the correct cooking temperature.
Plancha
A plancha is a cast iron hotplate. Planchas are ridged on one side and smooth on the other. These pans can be used to cook proteins because a pancha keeps the food moist by cooking the proteins quickly. Panchas have handles on the sides, so you can take them from the cooking surface to the dining table.
Pucheros
Pucheros are another terracotta dish. These dishes are deep and are used for cooking and serving soups and stews. A puchero will help keep the liquids in soups and stews from evaporating while cooking.
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