THE BASIC RULES FOR COOKING WITHOUT WATER ARE EASY:

Always use the right pot size!

Select the pot size based on what you will be preparing. For best results the pot should be about two thirds full.

Rinse prepared foods and vegetables!

Rinse fruits and vegetables in cold water. This helps remove any harmful chemicals and allows enough water to cling to the food and mix with its natural juices. This allows the food to cook in its own steam. While getting used to this style of cooking you will want to add a few extra tablespoons of water.

Control the heat!

Start with a cold pot. Always control the heat throughout the cooking process. When cooking waterless the heat is never higher than MEDIUM.

Create a vapour seal!

In the beginning start the cooking process on MEDIUM heat. Place your food (e.g. vegetables) in a cold pot, put on MEDIUM heat. When the slightest sign of steam escapes or becomes visible on the steam detection rim, turn the heat down to LOW. Then start counting your cooking time. This usually happens when the temperature gauge passes into the green field (approx. 40oC). Although the heat is turned LOW, the indicator will continue to rise until the ideal cooking temperature (between 65 - 85oC) is reached. The lid now has formed a natural seal with the pot because of the water beads. Watery foods will take about 3 minutes for this to happen. More solid foods, like carrots and potatoes, will take about 5 minutes after turning down the heat, for the lid to seal. Start, in the beginning, with 3-5 tablespoons of additional water.

DON'T PEEK!

Resist that urge to peek! Every time the cover is removed during the cooking period, heat and steam are allowed to escape. This lengthens the cooking time and could dry out the food. If you need to peek add a few extra tablespoons of water.

BE SPECIFIC

If your recipe calls for 10 minutes, don't start looking after 5 minutes. Wait the full time to check. You will be delighted how easy it is to cook with your Cuisine Santé International chrome titanium cookware set.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Foods that do not contain water (dry peas, beans, rice, pasta, etc.) cannot under any circumstances be cooked without water.