Plancha Cooking: Spanish Grilling Technique You Need to Know

The word “Plancha” has Spanish roots, which means iron or plate. It also refers to a cooking technique used in Spain and Mediterranean cuisines, in which food is seared and cooked on a hot and flat iron surface. It is primarily used to cook meat and delicate proteins. Plancha is made up of thick iron, stainless steel, or a similar metal. The food is cooked on a very hot surface, which gives it a charred and crispy finish while retaining the flavors and moistness of it. Plancha cooking has been part of Spanish, Mediterranean, and Latin American culinary traditions for many years. It has now become a popular choice for many street food trucks and modern and commercial kitchens.

Benefits of Plancha Cooking

Plancha cooking has been used in different culinary cultures for centuries due to its various benefits. Let’s find out a few of the key benefits.

Fast and Even Cooking

Plancha requires high heat for cooking. They are great heat retainers and distribute the heat evenly, which results in quick and consistently cooked food. They make the ideal choice for commercial cooking.

Minimal Use of Oil

Since Plancha is made with naturally non-stick materials like cast iron or stainless steel, it requires a minimum use of oil or fat. The idea is to cook the food in its natural fats and flavors. However, you can lightly brush the food with oil if needed.

Healthy Way of Cooking

In plancha cooking, the food does not come in direct contact with the flame, making it a safer option to cook. Moreover, this type of cooking requires a minimum amount of oil, making it a healthier cooking method.

Flavor Retention

The high-heat plancha searing helps lock in the flavors and moisture inside the food. The hot, flat surface gives a beautiful, caramelized, and crispy exterior to the meat with a slightly charred flavor.

Additional Information:

Planchas are now available in gas and electric heat variations. They make excellent choice for outdoor cooking.

To conclude, Plancha is a popular way of cooking commonly used in Mediterranean and Spanish cuisines. It has now become part of many commercial kitchens and modern, health-conscious households. It is considered one of the quickest and healthier ways of cooking.

Bring Plancha home and take your cooking experience to the next level.