• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Reluctant Gourmet

  • Planning
  • Recipes
  • Ingredients
  • Techniques
  • Tools
  • Shop
  • Tips
  • Careers
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Planning
  • Recipes
  • Ingredients
  • Techniques
  • Tools
  • Shop
  • Tips
  • Schools
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    How NOT to Cook with Water - Simmering

    May 2, 2018 by G. Stephen Jones Leave a Comment

    How NOT to Simmer Foods

    Photo Credit - Stacy Spensley   Photo License

    How Not to Simmer

    Simmering picks up where poaching leaves off.  The simmering liquid should be at a temperature between 190°F - 205°F (88°C - 96°C).

    While poaching is a relatively long cooking process for delicate foods, simmering is usually a very long cooking process designed to a) break down connective tissue in tough, fatty meats and b) concentrate flavors through reduction.

    Braises and stews are cooked at a simmer for both of those reasons. The primary difference between poaching and simmering, aside from the temperature difference, is that the simmering liquid is generally served as a sauce for the food being simmered.

    For example, beef stew just isn't beef stew without the gravy.

    Again, rather than taking the temperature of the simmering liquid, it is best to know what signs to look for.

    arrow Steam will rise rapidly from the simmering liquid.

    arrow Small bubbles will rise from the bottom of the pan, breaking the surface.

    arrow Bubbling will not be vigorous, but will be constant.

    The types of foods that lend themselves well to simmering include, but are not limited to dried beans, tough meats containing a lot of connective tissue and certain cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, kohlrabi, all sorts of hearty greens, Brussels sprouts and bok choy.

    Since simmering is generally used to cook heartier foods than eggs and fish, there are fewer mistakes to consider.

    Mistake #1  My Food Is Dry!

    Again, cooking in liquid is all about temperature control.  If the food is dry, it was cooked at too high a temperature.

    The Fix - Take It Easy and Watch the Heat

    When simmering, make sure that you keep the liquid at a simmer.  That sounds pretty simplistic, but remember what you're looking for:  a gentle bubbling.  If the bubbling is very vigorous, you know you have overshot simmer and gone right on to boiling.  Turn the burner down so you have lazily bursting bubbles.

    To be more precise when simmering, don't be afraid to use the oven.  Bring your cooking liquid just to a boil on the stove, and then put it in a 210°F (99°C) to let it simmer away until done.

    Especially when simmering tough meats, be certain to allow the meat to cool in the cooking liquid.  That way, the muscle fibers can gradually reabsorb the liquid.  If you cool the meat separately from the liquid, the meat will dry out as it cools.

    Mistake #2 My Sauce is Kind of Watery

    To maintain a constant level of liquid during simmering, it is best to cover the cooking pot to prevent evaporation. Evaporation concentrates flavors, though, which is necessary to produce a really savory sauce.

    The Fix--Take the Lid Off

    Once the target food is as tender/done as you would like it, remove it as well as any other solids from the cooking liquid and set aside.  Turn the heat up and allow the remaining liquid to boil gently until the flavors have concentrated to your liking.  This should only take a few minutes.

    Once you are happy with the flavor of your sauce, turn down the heat and return the solids to the pan to reheat to serving temperature.

    How NOT to Cook Book Chapters

    Introduction Cook Pasta Grill - Part 1
    Start a Recipe Steam - 1 Grill - 2
    Start a Recipe - 2 Steam - 2 Grill - 3
    Mise En Place Poach Roast - 1
    Equipment Simmer Roast - 2
    Season Foods - 1 Bake - 1 Roast - 3
    Season Foods - 2 Bake - 2 Pan Roast - 1
    Spices & Herbs Bake - 3 Pan Roast - 2
    Season with Salt Saute - 1 Braise - 1
    Boil Saute - 2 Braise - 2

     

     

    « How NOT to Cook with Water - Poaching
    Salad Secrets »

    I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Search My Site

    Who Is The Reluctant Gourmet?

    I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More…

    How Not to Cook Book

    Cooking Mistakes and How to Fix Them

    Categories

    Reluctant Gourmet on Instagram

    Footer

    About the Reluctant Gourmet

    I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More…

    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Featured Favorites

    Why Is My Halibut So Dry

    Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe

    Bucatini all'Amatriciana Recipe

    Pasta with Spinach Garlic and Guanciale Sauce Recipe

    Pasta with Spinach Garlic and Guanciale Sauce Recipe

    Fun Stuff

    • Cartoons
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • Press Releases

    Important Links

    • Advertising Disclosure
    • Terms of Use
    • Copyright Info
    • Privacy Policy
    • Home
    • About The Reluctant Gourmet
    • Contact Me
    • Advertising

    Copyright © 2022 · The Reluctant Gourmet