Simmering is a food preparation technique by which foods are cooked in hot liquids kept just below the boiling point of water[1] (lower than) and above poaching temperature (higher than). To create a steady simmer, a liquid is brought to a boil, then its heat source is reduced to a lower, constant intensity (smaller flame on a gas stove, lower temperature on an induction/electric stove).
Simmering ensures gentler treatment than boiling to prevent food from toughening and/or breaking up. Simmering is usually a rapid and efficient method of cooking. Food that has simmered in milk or cream instead of water is sometimes referred to as creamed. The appropriate simmering temperature is a topic of debate among chefs, with some contending that a simmer is as low as .[2]
In Japanese cuisine, simmering is often considered one of the four essential cooking techniques, along with grilling, steaming, and deep frying.[3]
Food prepared in a crockpot is simmered. Examples include stews, chili, soups, etc.
Bulgarian traditional food, especially tender meat dishes are often simmered for extended periods of time. Examples include stews, soups, Vanyas, etc.
In traditional Dutch and Flemish cuisine, less tender cuts of beef are simmered for several hours to obtain carbonade flamande. Traditionally a small flame is used, fed by burning oil. On modern stoves, the source of heat is put very low, or a simmering plate is used to diminish the heat. Usually a cast iron pan is used with a thick bottom. The meat is ready if it can be easily torn apart into threads.[4]
Simmering is one of the most popular styles of cooking in Iran and Afghanistan. In traditional Persian cuisine, almost all types of Persian Khoresh are simmered for several hours. That is also the case with some other Iranian dishes like Abgoosht, Bozbash, etc.
Simmering is the main cooking techinque used in Shabbat stews because by Shabbat's law cooking is forbidden on Shabbat. Almost every jewish diaspora group had different versions of their sabbath stews with the common practice of boiling before Sabbath begins and than kept on a blech or other devices to heat the food.[5] Many Shabbat dishes simmers overnight to conform to Jewish law including cholent (Ashkenazi Jewish),[6] Hamin (Sepharadic Jewish) and T'bit (Iraqi Jewish) [7] and more.
Some modern gas ranges are equipped with a simmering burner, with such burners usually located at the rear of the range. Many electric ranges have a simmer setting.
Slow cookers are countertop electrical appliances used to simmer foods for hours at a time.[8]