Re: [london.food] griddling

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From: David Turner
Subject: Re: [london.food] griddling
Date: 14:06 on 14 Apr 2005
On 4/14/05, Simon Wistow <simon@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> I've also had conflicting advice re: the temperature of the pan. I was
> convinced that the pan should be as hot as possible but I'm sure I
> remember reading recently that you get better results from a medium
> heat.

What works for me when using a griddle is to have the pan as hot as
your domestic cooker can go and keep it dry.  If the food is dry, oil
it or marinade it.

The crucial bit is, once you have placed the food on the pan, DO NOT MOVE I=
T!

The ridges will sear the bits of food they are touching and by the
time the food is cooked halfway through (look at the colour on the
side or by poking with your finger on the side) you will be able to
lift the food off without it being stuck to the pan.  Turn over and
repeat -- probably for less time because the middle of the food will
be warm now.

Even with a stupidly hot pan you shouldn't burn the food this way.=20
The food is really cooking by convection, the ridges will obviously
conduct heat into the food and sear it but they aren't going to
contribute to the cooking as much as the general heat of the pan
below.

If your marinade is high in sugar or something else that will burn as
it sits in the pan, you'll need a really good extractor fan.  Not
something like mine that extracts as far as the ceiling!!  A spatter
pan over the top helps.

There's stuff above here

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