Ancient Cookware, Indian Clay Biryani Individual Serving Bowl, Medium, 20 Ounces

There are many varieties of vessels, mostly called handi, for the cooking and serving of biryani dishes. Our Indian Clay Biryani Pots are perfect for the slow-cooking dum pukht method which dates back to early sixteenth century, in which the dish is cooked in a sealed vessel. These Pots are hand crafted by our artisans in Tamil Nadu, India with natural clay of the region, giving it various shades of reddish-brown colors. The Clay Pots are almost spherically shaped with a narrow mouth to allow it to be "sealed" with dough of kneaded flour and water. By tradition, there are no handle on the Pots so they have to be lifted by grabbing the rim or cupped in your hands. They are glazed on the inside using lead and cadmium free glazes making them waterproof, eco-friendly, and food safe. The pots can be used in traditional or micro wave oven, open hearth/charcoal ovens, or over direct heat, and serve as a perfect serving vessel to go directly to the table for an authentic presentation. The clay does retain heat for a long period of time so be careful in handling them. As with any clay or glass cookware, the pieces must not be submitted to drastic changes in temperature. The pieces should be allowed to adjust slowly to heat, letting the pieces slowly heat up until they are hot, either on the stove or in the oven. Likewise, you should also allow the pieces to adjust to room temperature before washing or storing them, and never sit a hot pot on a cold surface such as granite or tile. The Pieces are dishwasher safe, however it is better to hand-washed the pieces with mild soap, as putting them in a dishwasher can cause them to absorb the detergent flavor. If the piece is heavily soiled, fill the piece with warm soapy water and allow them to soak briefly, then scrub them lightly with a sponge or soft cloth. Never use metal or abrasive cleaners, and always try to avoid strongly scented soaps which can flavor the clay.