Baking on a WOK
Baking with a wok may not be the most conventional method, but it can be done with some creativity and adaptation. While baking with a wok is not as common as using it for stir-frying or steaming, you can still experiment with certain types of foods. Here’s a basic guide on how to bake with a wok:
1. **Prepare Your Wok**: Start by preheating your oven to the temperature specified in your recipe. While the oven is heating up, prepare your wok by greasing it with butter, oil, or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. **Choose Your Recipe**: Select a recipe that is suitable for baking in a wok. This could include bread, cakes, pies, or even smaller baked goods like cookies or muffins.
3. **Adjust Baking Time and Temperature**: Keep in mind that baking in a wok may require adjustments to the baking time and temperature compared to traditional baking methods. Since the wok may conduct heat differently than a standard baking dish, you may need to experiment with the temperature and timing to achieve the desired results.
4. **Arrange Your Ingredients**: Once your wok is prepared and your batter or dough is ready, carefully pour it into the wok, ensuring that it is evenly distributed.
5. **Bake in the Oven**: Place the wok in the preheated oven and bake according to your recipe’s instructions. Keep an eye on the baking progress and adjust the temperature if necessary to prevent burning.
6. **Check for Doneness**: Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. Insert it into the center of the baked goods, and if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, it’s ready.
7. **Cool and Serve**: Once baked, remove the wok from the oven and allow the baked goods to cool in the wok for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, serve and enjoy your baked treats!
While baking with a wok may require some experimentation and adjustments, it can be a fun and creative way to explore baking outside of traditional bakeware. Experiment with different recipes and techniques to see what works best for you and enjoy the unique results!
What kinds of food to bake on a Wok
You can bake a wide variety of foods, ranging from sweet treats to savory dishes, using traditional baking methods or adapting recipes for unconventional baking vessels like a wok. Here are some examples of foods you can bake:
- 1. **Sweet Treats**:
– Cakes: Sponge cakes, layer cakes, pound cakes, and cupcakes.
– Cookies: Chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, and shortbread.
– Pastries: Pies, tarts, turnovers, croissants, and danishes.
– Breads: Yeast breads, quick breads, rolls, baguettes, and focaccia.
– Desserts: Brownies, blondies, bars, muffins, scones, and cinnamon rolls.
– Puddings: Bread pudding, rice pudding, custards, and flans. - 2. **Savory Dishes**:
– Casseroles: Baked pasta dishes, shepherd’s pie, and enchiladas.
– Gratins: Potato gratin, vegetable gratin, and macaroni and cheese.
– Roasts: Whole chickens, turkey breasts, pork loin, and beef tenderloin.
– Vegetables: Roasted potatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and carrots.
– Bread-based Dishes: Stuffing, bread pudding, and savory bread puddings.
– Pizza: Homemade pizza dough topped with sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings. - 3. **Global Cuisine**:
– Empanadas: Savory filled pastry pockets popular in Latin American cuisine.
– Dim Sum: Steamed or baked Chinese dumplings filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables.
– Piroshki: Russian baked buns filled with savory ingredients like meat, cabbage, or potatoes.
– Quiche: French savory tart filled with eggs, cream, cheese, and various ingredients like bacon, spinach, or mushrooms.
– Samosas: Indian pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat or lentils.
– Cornbread: Traditional American bread made with cornmeal, often baked in a skillet or pan.
These are just a few examples, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to baking. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, savory, or somewhere in between, there’s a baked dish to suit every taste and occasion. When baking with a wok, it’s important to consider its shape, size, and heat conductivity, as well as making any necessary adjustments to baking times and temperatures compared to traditional baking methods. Experimentation is key to discovering what works best with your wok and oven setup.
Coffee Cake Recipe
Baking a coffee cake in a wok is unconventional but can result in a deliciously unique dessert. Here’s a recipe for a classic coffee cake that you can try baking in your Joyce Chen 14” Carbon Steel Wok:
Coffee Cake Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour the inside of your Joyce Chen 14” Carbon Steel Wok.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, and mixing until just combined.
In a small bowl, prepare the streusel topping by combining the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared wok, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter. Repeat with the remaining batter and streusel topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the coffee cake is baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more liquid if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
Once the coffee cake is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the wok for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake.
Slice and serve the coffee cake directly from the wok, or carefully transfer it to a serving platter.
