Clay Pot

I received this pot as a gift from Ioana, to whom I say: thank you so much! Cabbage rolls prepared in it turn out very good. Don't forget that the pot needs to be prepared before use and don't use detergents to wash it.

A few rules for using it (especially if the inside of the pot isn't glazed):

1. Soak the pot in water and with water inside it for about 3 hours.
2. Remove the pot from the water and fill it with water and whatever spices you have - salt, pepper, white wine, thyme, dill, bay leaves, garlic...
3. Bring the pot to boil with this mixture for 1 hour, then let it cool overnight. Some water may leak from it - if it's only a little (about 50 ml), don't worry; if there's more, turn it into a flower pot.
4. The next day, rinse it well and you can use it. If you're not making cabbage rolls that day but a few days later, you need to soak the pot in water for about 30 minutes before use.
5. After you've made the cabbage rolls, the next day when they've cooled, take them out of the pot (so they don't absorb odors) and put them in a regular pot.
6. The pot should be washed with baking soda or vinegar. After washing, dry it well and before storing, place a few aromatic leaves in it (bay leaves, rosemary, lovage).
7. Don't use the pot directly on a gas flame - use a diffuser plate and keep the heat on minimum.
8. Always put the clay pot into a cold oven and then turn it on; if you put it directly into a preheated oven, there's a risk it will crack.