Sous vide cooking is gaining popularity among people who live in all parts of the world. It can be considered as a great method available for you to prepare food items. The fundamentals of sous vide cooking are based upon vacuum sealing. Hence, it has become essential for you to purchase a vacuum sealer to get started with sous vide cooking. In addition, you should also have a clear understanding on how you are going to use the vacuum sealer to complete sous vide cooking.
Understanding Sous Vide Cooking
Before you learn how to use a vacuum sealer, it is important to have a basic understanding on how to use sous vide cooking. Sous vide cooking is different from the traditional cooking methods. That’s because you are cooking the ingredients within a plastic package. That’s where the vacuum sealer for sous vide comes into play. Once you put all the ingredients into a plastic package, you dip it inside a bowl containing hot water. Then the ingredients are allowed to be cooked. This can be a quick and a straightforward cooking method available for the people to consider. On top of that, it delivers a perfect cooking experience to them.
Should you really invest on a Vacuum Sealer?
As the next thing, you need to understand whether it is really needed for you to invest your money on a vacuum sealer or not. Yes, if you are looking forward to get the best sous vide cooking experience, you will have to invest your money in the best vacuum sealer available out there in the market. Vacuum sealers are inexpensive accessories, which you can purchase without a fortune. After purchasing a vacuum sealer, you will be able to keep it on top of your counter top as well.
The other method available for you to engage with sous vide cooking is to use zip lock bags. However, this method is not recommended because you will not be able to end up with the best cooking experience. Due to this reason, it has become essential for you to invest on a vacuum sealer.
How to use the Vacuum Sealer?
Now let’s come to the most important process, which is about understanding how to use the vacuum sealer.
You should add all your ingredients to be cooked into sous vide bags, before you use the vacuum sealer. It is better if you can add bit oil into the bag, especially when you are cooking protein. Then you will be able to ensure the delicacy of the food items as well. That’s because oil has got the ability to keep the food items moving within the bag. Hence, food will never get stuck within the seams. You will be able to preserve the shape of food when the juices run off as well. However, all oil types will not be in a position to help you with this. To get the best possible results, you are strongly encouraged to use olive oil.
It is also important to keep in mind that overcrowding food items within the sous vide bag is not recommended when you are engaged with sous vide cooking. It is possible for you to cook multiple portions of food within a ziplock styled bag. However, this method is never recommended because you will be overcrowding the foods. Hence, you need to allow the food pieces to move around freely within the bag.
Once all the ingredients are properly packed, you will be able to get started with vacuum sealing. As you already know, one end of the sous vide bag is open. You should take that open end; place it in the vacuum sealer and sealer. As you can see, the process of vacuum sealing your plastic bags is simple and straightforward. You will be able to get the job done within a matter of seconds. Hence, you will not regret about the decision that you take in order to go ahead and spend your money in purchasing a vacuum sealer.
When should I Vacuum Seal the plastic bags?
Vacuum sealing might not be the best solutions available to proceed with sous vide cooking at all times. To avoid any frustration, it is important to have a clear understanding on when you need to vacuum seal and when you should not.
Vacuum sealing is ideal for vegetables. If you are planning to cook vegetables with sous vide cooking, you are strongly encouraged to proceed with this cooking method. On the other hand, it is ideal for heavy duty sous vide cooking purposes as well. For example, if you are preparing meat, you will be able to take a look at vacuum sealing without having any doubts in mind. The higher temperatures are in a position to break down the zip lock bags. But you will not have to come across any such frustration while you are using a quality vacuum sealed bag. You will always be provided with the best results, which you can be proud of.
Vacuum sealing has also been identified as an excellent method available for the people to try, when they are prepping meals. Whether you are prepping meals for a dinner party or for a week, you are encouraged to take a look at this method. For example, if you want to cook the chicken legs before you put them on the BBQ grill, you can simply follow the vacuum sealing and sous vide cooking method. Then you will be able to end up with the best possible results.
Vacuum sealing can be used for most of the cooking methods. If you try it out at your home for just one time, you will be able to discover your groove. Then you will stick to the cooking method and you will not have any regrets about this.