All about Tandoor Ovens: What They Are and How They Work
These kinds of ovens are used throughout the Middle East, India, Pakistan, and even parts of Central Asia and China. They can be large, permanent structures ensconced in a kitchen or outdoor area, or they can be smaller, portable ovens that can be carried from place to place. We’re as fascinated by how they work as we are with the delicious foods they can make!
Tandoor is currently one of the most important tools in Indian restaurants around the world. The ovens are made of clay with some sort of insulating material like concrete or mud on the outside. The word Tandoor means a cylindrical oven, often curves inward toward the top like a beehive or jug to concentrate the heat used for baking and cooking.
Traditionally the fuel used in Tandoor is charcoal or firewood. Modern Tandoor ovens use cooking gas and electricity also instead of charcoal. The charcoal or firewood burns inside the tandoor oven itself exposing the cooked item exposure to live-fire and hot air from it. The temperature inside the Tandoor is kept near 480 degrees Celsius.
Regardless of size, shape, or region of origin, all tandoor ovens operate on essentially the same principle. A top opening left clear to allow access and ventilation.
The food cooked in the Tandoor oven is known as Tandoori. The radiant heat and convection cooking technique from the Tandoor, allowing the fat and juices from the cooked dish to drip into the fuel, thereby making it extremely delicious and adorably flavored.
A variety of non-vegetarian dishes as well as different types of flatbreads like Tandoori Roti, Tandoori Naan, Tandoori Chicken, Tandoori Laccha Paratha, and many more can be prepared by the Tandoor way. Tandoor style of cooking is used by people of a vast geographical area and so many variants like Punjabi style, Afghan style, Armenian style, etc. are very popular.
Next week, we will talk about what are Tandoor dishes out there that you could give a try!
I bet you are no hungry by looking at the photos, come and visit The Yarra Indian Restaurant in South Yarra, Melbourne, VIC!
The Yarra Indian Restaurant got plenty of Tadoori dishes for your taste!
Visit www.yarraindian.com.au or call +61 3 9827 6873 for your food delivery.
Source: thekitchn, tandoorofindia
