Cloud White Terra Cotta Cazuelas, Round - 6 Inch (4 Dishes)

These beautiful cazuela dishes are a go-to dish in our kitchen. They are the ideal size for serving tapas, whether it be a bowl of olives or a sizzling portion of garlic shrimp. Beyond that, these little ramekins can be used to hold chopped garlic and other ingredients for preparing larger recipes. Cazuelas can be found in any Spanish kitchen and have been a staple for centuries. They are sturdy enough for cooking, yet attractive enough serve right on your table. Our supplier in Cataluña forms each cazuela, then applies small handles by hand – these are called “orejas” in Spain. All glazes used are food safe and lead free. Our cazuelas come from the town of Breda near the Pyrenees Mountains, a favorite source for terra cotta cookware since Roman times. The solid terra cotta dishes hold heat, perfect for keeping meals warm even after the dish is brought to the dining table. How to Cure Your New Cazuela for Cooking: If you are planning on cooking with your cazuela, you will need to soak and cure it using the following directions. Soak the entire dish in water to cover for 12 hours. Drain and wipe dry. Rub the unglazed bottom with a cut clove of garlic (we are not sure how the garlic works, but why argue with tradition?) Fill the dish with water to 1/2 inch below the rim, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Place the dish on a flame-tamer over low heat and slowly bring the water to a boil (no flame tamer? Crumple a sheet of aluminum foil and create a ring that you place over your burner to create about an inch of space between the heat and the cazuela). Let the liquid boil down until only about 1/2 cup remains. Cool slowly and wash. Your cazuela is ready for use - the garlic has created a seal. This technique has been used since the Middle Ages. It seasons the pot and hardens the unglazed parts. To clean, soak in sudsy water and scrub with a soft brush to remove any hardened food. If you have not used the cazuela for awhile, re-cure it.