I'm always looking for new and delicious ways to improve my family's diet.  I've long believed that what we choose to eat and drink is the single most important factor in determining how healthy our bodies are.  Although eating healthy is always at the top of my list of priorities, several factors tend to get in the way of achieving this goal on a daily basis.  For one, my family is extremely busy and so oftentimes we lack the time needed to prepare a healthy meal.  Also, I'm not the most experienced cook in the world and need something that is easy and suited to my skill set.

That's why I was thrilled to learn of the Romertopf Clay Baker from Reco International.  This method of preparing food provides ample moisture for succulent dishes without the need to add salt or fats.  It also claims to take the guesswork out of cooking because you can literally "set it and forget it".  Just come back around an hour later and your meal should be cooked to perfection.  Keep reading to learn more!

According to archaeological finds, clay pot cookery can be traced back thousands of years, when food in an earthenware pot was put in the glowing ashes of an open fire. What was important for the taste of the food was not the fire, but the pot.

Everyone knows that a nutritious diet is essential to maintaining good health, but even the healthiest foods can lose nutritional value when the preparation process allows valuable nutrients to escape.  The Reco Romertopf Clay Baker is an easy-to-use cooking tool that seals those nutrients in while also cutting down on fats.

Some of today's most popular cooking techniques can either deplete your food of valuable nutrients, as in the case of over-steamed vegetables, or add fat, as in the case of frying meat or fish.  Cooking the Reco Romertopf way avoids overcooking while it eliminates the need for added fats.  Soaking the Romertopf in water before it is placed inside the oven allows it to create and maintain moisture that cooks any recipe to perfection, while preventing the loss of nutrients.

Meats can be trimmed of all fat and poultry can be cooked without the skin for moist, tender, flavorful and browned results with no need for basting. Meat, potatoes, rice and vegetables can all be cooked together to make nutritious and flavorful one-pot meals, or they can be prepared separately.

Reco Romertopf cooking not only saves nutrients, but also saves time. Simply soak the Romertopf Clay Baker in water for 5-10 minutes, place ingredients inside and then put the entire pot in a cold oven set to 400 degrees.  There is no need for basting, turning or any further attention.  Simply return in 60 to 75 minutes for a meal that is cooked to perfection. The moisture keeps the bottom of the pot at about 220 degrees Fahrenheit, making burning virtually impossible.

The Romertopf is made of a specialized, porous clay and is unglazed inside and out allowing it to "breathe" during the cooking process. By soaking the pot in water before cooking, moisture is absorbed by the clay. The tiny water particles are released during cooking, penetrating and blending with the natural food juices, increasing both flavor and aroma.

I prepared several chicken breasts using the Reco Romertopf Clay Baker and they were truly delicious and extremely moist and tender.  It was just so easy to use and the "set it and forget it" capabilities reminded me of a slow cooker.  Instead of our meal taking all day to prepare, as in the case of a slow cooker, it was ready in approximately an hour.

I'm thrilled to have found a healthier option for preparing my family's meals which also fits perfectly in with our busy schedule.  I believe in this line of cookware so much that I immediately went out and purchased a clay cookware cookbook and the Reco Romertopf Vegetable Baker too!  Now I can't wait to concoct all sorts of healthy dishes the quick and easy way thanks to the Reco Romertopf Clay Baker.

More Amazing Clay Cookware from Reco International:

Disclosure:  I received the Romertopf Clay Baker No. 111 from Reco International in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my own personal experiences with this item and is completely honest and objective.