The oven is sometimes called the heart of the home, and baking for our loved ones can be very rewarding and fulfilling. The challenge is to prepare flavorsome meals which are also healthy and nutritious. Romertopf and Schlemmertopf brand clay bakers produce exactly these results. They are also simple to use and easy to maintain. These products can be found at Your Smart Kitchen and each one comes with a use and care instruction guide, as well as a get-started cookbook.

The first time you use your clay baker, read all the directions carefully, following all the instructions. Of particular importance is the amount of time to soak the baker in water before the first use. Also, you may wish to use a soft dish brush and water to clean your baker of any clay dust which may be present on the vessel itself.

For general use of your clay baker, always begin by totally immersing it under water for about ten minutes to allow it to absorb all the moisture necessary to cook your meal and seal in the nutrients. You can invert the lid and rest it in the bottom of the baker as it soaks in the water.

Now remove the baker from the water and add your ingredients; meat, rice, potatoes or vegetables may all be cooked together. You can reduce or eliminate any additional cooking oils or fats to your recipe. (Meats can be trimmed of all unwanted fat as well.) No need to grease the pan either. The moisture provided by the clay baker will steam the food to perfection, making oils and fats unnecessary.

Place the covered clay baker in a cold oven. Do not preheat the oven; rather, set the temperature after you have closed the door. Clay baker cookware begins to release steam and moisture into the meal as the temperature slowly increases in the oven.

When your meal is finished cooking, you can use the decorative clay baker as a serving dish. Simply remove it from the oven, taking care to set it on a trivet or hot pad on the table. Avoid setting it on a cold surface to prevent sudden temperature fluctuations. Your beautifully embossed clay baker will provide a lovely presentation which your family or dinner guests will want to linger over and enjoy their meal.

Your Romertopf and Schlemmertopf brand clay bakers will darken in color over time. This is a normal characteristic of the clay. It is recommended that upon the first use of your clay baker, avoid curries or heavily spiced dishes until the pot has seasoned from cooking some milder dishes in it. To clean your clay baker, use a mild liquid dish detergent and hot water. Do not use a metal scouring pad; rather a plastic scrubbing sponge is recommended. Gently clean your clay baker and allow it to air dry over night, keeping the lid and the bottom separate. This will ensure that both pieces are fully dry before you store it in your kitchen cabinet. However, many cooks find their clay baker cookware so attractive, they store it on open shelving for display and decoration!