What You Need to Know
This method involves cooking food in a pit oven at temperatures up to 200°C, with cooking times ranging from 30 minutes to several hours, resulting in a tender and flavorful final product. The use of banana leaves helps retain moisture and flavor, while the slow distribution of heat from the hot rocks ensures even cooking.
Steps
- 1.
Kalua Pig (Hawaii): Creates signature smoky flavor and tender texture
- 2.
Hangi (New Zealand): Imparts earthy flavors to meats and root vegetables
- 3.
Lovo (Fiji): Simultaneously steams and smokes seafood and taro
The Science
Primary Reaction
Maillard reaction and thermal denaturation of proteins