5 Sous Vide Accessories to Help You Cook Healthy, Delicious Food
Sous vide is like the “smartphone” of cooking methods—so advanced and fancy! With sous vide, you cook food in a temperature-controlled water bath, which ensures food is cooked evenly and consistently. Plus, it’s almost impossible to over or undercook food. It’s like having a personal chef who never dries out the salmon and who can deliver a perfect medium-rare steak, every time.
To help you on your path to starring in your own episode of Chef’s Table, here are 4 must-have sous vide gadgets you should consider adding to your cooking arsenal.
1. Vacuum Sealer
Sous vide isone of the coolest kitchen gadgetsevery home should have. And if you know anything about sous vide, you know you can’t have air in your sous vide bag or your food won’t cook properly. There are two food packaging methods used to cook food in a sous vide machine.
First, there is the “Ziplock bag technique” (also known as the cheapskate method). This involves stuffing meat into a sealable bag (preferably a freezer bag or one that can withstand high temperatures) and then using the “water immersion” technique to remove air from the bag.
The second technique, one reserved for true sous vide aficionados, uses a vacuum sealer (“sous vide” is, after all, French for “under vacuum”). Vacuum sealers such as theFoodSaver systemremove air from food-grade plastic bags and then automatically seal the bag shut. You don’t have to worry about your bag opening while your food cooks, and you’ll ensure your water bath makes maximum contact with your food. Bon appetit!
2. Kitchen Torch
While your food will be cooked to your desired doneness, sous vide doesn’t exactly result in the prettiest food. Extra steps are needed to “finish” many meals before plating.
After food is cooked using the sous vide method, you can finish it with a torch to add texture and flavor. A kitchen torch such as theJo Chef Kitchen Torchwill allow you to quickly and evenly sear meat and fish after it’s been cooked giving it a browned, crispy exterior that contrasts with the tender interior.
Not to worry, using a torch won’t affect the precision cooking delivered by the sous vide machine. The intense heat from the torch means that you can achieve desired textures and flavors externally while ensuring that the food does not overcook internally.
3. Sous Vide Apps
There are manyapps you can use to help cook healthy sous vide meals. If you’re using anAnova sous vide machine, it’s a no-brainer to download the companion app. This app provides access to tons of sous vide recipes, as well as detailed instructions for cooking the perfect short ribs, mashed potatoes, or salmon. You can use it in conjunction with an Anova machine to control cook time and temperature from your phone.
On the Home screen, you will find recipe suggestions while the Guides section offers step-by-step guidance for cooking a wide range of foods, including beef, poultry, eggs, seafood, lamb, pork, and vegetables.
Another option is the popular SideChef app, which offers a range of unique and delicious recipes that incorporate the sous vide cooking technique.
Some recipes in the app utilize the air sous vide method, which allows for precision cooking without the use of water. This technique is available in some newer cooking appliances. If you have access to both cooking methods, you can try recipes for both and see which ones work best for you.
The app features clear instructions for each recipe, so you can easily follow along. Some recipes are available to view for free, while a subscription unlocks access to the full collection of recipes.
Download:Anova Culinary foriOS|Android(Free)
Download:SideChef foriOS|Android(Free, subscription available)
4. Handheld Bag Sealers
If a professional-level vacuum sealer isn’t in your budget but you aren’t a fan of the Ziplock method, you should check out one of the many reusable sous vide bags that come equipped with handheld sealers.
For example, thisSOUSBEAR hand pumpcomes with reusable BPA-free bags that are equipped with one-way valves to make extracting air possible with a few pumps. Other options, such as theFIRAWER handheld electric vacuum sealer, claim to do the same thing more expensive vacuum sealers can do but for a fraction of the cost.
5. Sous Vide Thermometers
While you might not think a thermometer is necessary when sous vide cooking, it can be helpful to measure the internal core temperature of food, especially for more delicate foods (or if you want to take food out as soon as it hits a certain temperature).
For example, thisSous Vide Thermometer and Probe Kitcomes with foam tape that ensures no vacuum pressure within the pouch is lost, even with the metal probe penetrating the plastic and going into the food.
Another option, theChefAlarm Sous Vide Kit, also features a submersible needle probe and foam tape to prevent leakage during cooking, as well as a 92dB alarm, so you’ll know exactly when your food is ready.
Elevate Your Sous Vide Game with Smart Accessories
Sous vide machines are already pretty neat pieces of tech. With the addition of a few accessories, you’ll be able to get the most out of your machine and deliver culinary results fit for Instagram.
If you’re unsure which accessory is for you, a vacuum sealer is probably your best option if you’re looking to add a single gadget to your kitchen. The upshot is that you’re able to also use it to store food in your freezer without getting freezer burned. And if you’re on a budget, check out one of the handheld versions. You’ll be able to cook and store your food like a pro, and your wallet won’t begrudge your decision.
Cooking sous vide can help take your cooking game to the next level. And if you want to make nutritious dishes, you’re in the right places.
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