You're sitting at a table, either in someone's home or in a restaurant, and a very hot earthenware pot appears. The lid is removed, a geyser of steam rushes out, and the room fills with mouthwatering ...

For more on the history and science of cooking in clay (and plenty of amazing recipes), check out The Food & Wine Guide to Clay Pot Cooking. Clay pots are beloved around the world for their ability to ...

Mary-Frances Heck is a chef and food editor, formerly a senior food editor at Food & Wine. In addition to her recipes and articles appearing in many well-known publications, she has her own cookbook, ...