Apparatus and methods for cooking seitan

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for cooking seitan and other food products are provided. An example device includes a semi-cylindrical lower portion coupled to a semi-cylindrical upper portion coupled together on one side by a hinge allowing the device to open and close. The device, in the open configuration, is structured to receive a food product such as seitan. The device can be closed around the food product, enclosing it in a cylindrical chamber. A fastener is structured to fasten the device shut on the side of the device opposite the hinge. The device has several openings allowing liquid to flow into the chamber during the cooking process. The device includes supports which allow cooking liquid to drain from the chamber.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus configured for submersion in a cooking liquid, the apparatus comprising:
 an upper portion comprising:
 an upper outer surface; 
 an upper inner surface defining an upper internal volume; 
 a first plurality of openings between the upper inner surface and the upper outer surface, the first plurality of openings placing the upper outer surface in fluid communication with the upper internal volume; and 
 an upper fastener element; 
   a lower portion comprising:
 a lower outer surface; 
 a lower inner surface defining a lower internal volume, the lower internal volume and the upper internal volume defining an internal volume when the upper portion is in a closed position; 
 a second plurality of openings between the lower inner surface and the lower outer surface, the second plurality of openings placing the lower outer surface in fluid communication with the lower internal volume; and 
 a lower fastening element disposed on the lower portion, the lower fastening element configured to engage the upper fastener element on the upper portion to removably secure the upper portion to the lower portion to form a combined internal volume. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein engagement of the fastener element and the fastening element is configured to cause the upper portion to transition from an open position to a closed position, wherein in the closed position the upper inner surface is adjacent to the lower inner surface to form the combined internal volume. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a first coupling member extending from the upper outer surface away from the upper internal volume and a second coupling member extending from the lower outer surface away from the lower internal volume, the second coupling member configured to couple with the first coupling member to removably secure the upper portion to the lower portion, wherein the first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to cause the upper portion to transition from an open position to the closed position, wherein the upper inner surface is adjacent to the lower inner surface in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a hinge pin, wherein first coupling member and the second coupling member are coupled together by one or more hinge pins and form one or more hinges. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the upper inner surface defines an upper edge and the lower inner surface defines a lower edge, the upper edge and lower edge configured to form a seal preventing one or more food products from escaping the combined internal volume when the upper portion is in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more food products is seitan and wherein the apparatus floats in the cooking liquid only when the seitan is fully cooked. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more supports which allow excess cooking liquid to drain from the combined internal volume after cooking. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a divider inserted across a cross-section of the lower internal volume and extending upward toward the upper internal volume, wherein the divider is configured to separate the combined internal volume into different sections. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the divider is removable and replaceable in a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the combined internal volume forms a shape of a cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the combined internal volume forms a shape of a cuboid. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the fastening element comprises a clip and the fastener element comprises a lip, wherein the clip is configured to latch to the lip to. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a hook coupled to one or both of the upper outer surface or the lower outer surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper inner surface and the lower inner surface are coated in a nonstick material. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus configured for submersion in a cooking liquid, the apparatus comprising:
 a lower portion comprising:
 a lower outer surface; 
 a lower inner surface defining an internal volume; 
   a first plurality of openings between the lower inner surface and the lower outer surface, the first plurality of openings placing the lower outer surface in fluid communication with the internal volume; and
 an upper fastening element; 
   an upper portion comprising:
 an upper outer surface; 
 an upper inner surface; 
 a second plurality of openings between the upper inner surface and the upper outer surface, the second plurality of openings placing the upper outer surface in fluid communication with the internal volume; and 
 a lower fastener element configured to engage the complementary fastening element on the upper portion to removably secure the upper portion to the lower portion. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein engagement of the fastener element and the fastening element is configured to cause the upper portion to transition from an open position to a closed position, wherein in the closed position the upper inner surface is adjacent to the lower inner surface to form a substantially enclosed internal volume. 
     
     
         17 . A method of cooking comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising:
 an upper portion comprising:
 an upper outer surface; 
 an upper inner surface defining an upper internal volume; 
 a first plurality of openings between the upper inner surface and the upper outer surface, the first plurality of openings placing the upper outer surface in fluid communication with the upper internal volume; and 
 a fastener element; 
 
 a lower portion comprising:
 a lower outer surface; 
 a lower inner surface defining a lower internal volume, the lower internal volume and the upper internal volume defining an internal volume when the upper portion is in a closed position; 
 a second plurality of openings between the lower inner surface and the lower outer surface, the second plurality of openings placing the lower outer surface in fluid communication with the lower internal volume; and 
 a fastening element disposed on the lower portion, the fastening element configured to engage the complementary fastener element on the upper portion to removably secure the upper portion to the lower portion to form a combined internal volume; 
 
   placing a food product into the lower internal volume;   fastening the upper portion to the lower portion; and   submerging the apparatus in a cooking liquid.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising removing the apparatus from the cooking liquid and allowing excess cooking liquid to drain from the from internal volume. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising allowing excess cooking liquid to drain from the combined inner volume by setting the apparatus on one or more supports coupled to the lower portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the food product is seitan and the method further comprises ascertaining that the apparatus is floating before removing the apparatus from the cooking liquid.