KarmaFree Cooking

I posted this question a few days ago in a blog I quite enjoy visiting and commenting in – Serious Eats. It’s not vegetarian, that’s why is not part of my BlogRoll.

Since I became a vegetarian, I was told how hazardous to our health was to cook on aluminum – cookware or foil. So, when I moved by myself and was buying all my kitchen stuff, I bought all stainless steel pots and pans. To me, it was something easy to do and would in the long run, not compromise my health.

However, I have not been able to replace my rice cooker. My rice cooker has been with me since 1992. My mom gave it to me as a present when I moved to Chicago for grad school. I have made any kind of rice you can imagine there – white rice, now wholegrain brown rice, rice with corn, rice with vienna sausages, now rice with tofu dogs, rice and vegetables, you name it… So I posted a question onto the Serious Eats TALK section to see if someone more foodie than I am could help me locate the rice cooker of my dreams – without the aluminum insert.

The responses have been many. But what surprised me most is that people were asking me WHY I wanted to eradicate cooking in aluminum. I guess thats one of the by-products of these community blogs where people share their opinions rather than aswering the question at hand… and even though I was surprised, I am also glad because the question sparked a discussion on the pros and cons of the different cookware and their health risks, if any.

My position and recommendation – to avoid using aluminum when cooking. Aluminum has been associated with the development of Alzheimer’s Disease, osteporosis/softening of the bones, imparied kidney functions, memory loss, among others. My POV – if changing my pots and pans can help avoid these risks in any way… why not do it???

I use now stainless steel, glass, pyrex to cook. I line baking sheets with silplat or unbleached parchment paper. I confess, I use aluminum foil sparingly, just because of the convenience.

I included a link to my question in Serious Eats and let me know what’s your POV… and if you know of any rice cookers without aluminum inserts… I will really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

When I decided to become vegetarian, I was clear and sure I did not want to constantly eat food that resembled the animal products I was consciously not going to eat.  And even more,  I was never a fan of traditional chicken nuggets when I was not vegetarian.  So when I was offered to try vegetarian “chicken” nuggets I was not interested.  My friend insisted in buying me a bag to try…  and the rest is history.

This is not something I eat frequently.  But there are some times you want a snack, something to nibble on – you know, the munchies…  and when that time comes, these veggie nuggets usually hit the spot.  Here’s a photo of the packaging for your reference.

They’re super easy to make.  I just put them in a sheet pan sprayed with some canola oil spray and into a 400 degree toaster oven.  In 15 minutes or less, you’ll have crispy and tasty veggie nuggets.  Enjoy them on their own or with MayoKetchup sauce for dipping. 

The catch… I have to buy them when I travel to NYC’s Chinatown.  I have not seen them anywhere else.