Ella Walter
Cooking with a pan is a versatile skill, and there are many techniques to explore beyond simply frying or sautéing. For instance, flipping and tossing food in a pan can be an efficient way to mix and move ingredients, although it can be messy and is not always necessary. One example of when you might want to flip a pan is when making an upside-down pizza or cake, where the pan is flipped to reveal the correct side of the dish on a plate. However, it is also possible to cook a pan upside down, which can help to avoid getting drippings or crumbs on the pan's underside.
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What You'll Learn
Upside-down pizza pan cooking
The benefit of this method is that you get sautéed and caramelized toppings, and a crispy pizza crust. It also prevents the toppings from sliding off during baking and makes for easier clean-up. You can use store-bought dough, or make your own, and the same goes for the sauce—use your favourite store-bought or make your own. Low-moisture shredded mozzarella is recommended, but you can also use shredded cheddar.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and place a rack in the top position.
- Heat oil in a large, oven-proof, non-stick fry pan over medium heat.
- Cook your chosen pizza toppings (e.g. sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions, pepperoni). You can also add seafood, such as uncooked shrimp and salmon, which will cook along with the baking crust.
- Layer your toppings into the pan, then add the sauce, spreading it evenly and keeping the edges dry.
- Sprinkle on your chosen cheese.
- Roll out your pizza dough to around 12 inches (30 cm) round. Gently lay the dough over the toppings and sauce, tucking it around the edges of the pan to seal everything in.
- Brush the dough with olive oil.
- Bake in the oven for around 25 minutes, until the dough is golden brown.
- Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and place a large baking sheet or pizza pan on top. Quickly invert the pizza so that it is now sitting on the pan, right-side up.
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the crust is crisp.
- Sprinkle with cheese, cut, and serve.
This method of cooking pizza simplifies the process and makes for an impressive-looking and tasty dish. It's a fun way to mix up your regular pizza night!
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Pros and cons of cooking with an upside-down pan
While cooking with an upside-down pan may seem unconventional, it is a technique that has been used in various recipes, such as the upside-down pizza and pineapple upside-down cake. Here are some pros and cons of cooking with an upside-down pan:
Pros:
- Protects the pan's seasoning: Cooking with an upside-down pan can help protect the seasoning of the pan, especially if there are any remnants on the oven racks, such as burnt food, grease, or crumbs. By cooking with the pan upside down, any streaks or marks will be on the outer surface, which is less noticeable and won't affect the cooking surface.
- Even cooking: In certain recipes, such as the upside-down pizza, using an upside-down pan allows for even cooking of the toppings and the dough. The toppings are placed directly onto the cooking surface, ensuring they cook thoroughly, and the dough is placed on top, allowing it to bake evenly.
- Presentation: In some cases, cooking with an upside-down pan can improve the presentation of the dish. For example, with the pineapple upside-down cake, the cake is flipped onto a platter, revealing a caramelized glaze of pineapple and cherries on top.
Cons:
- Difficulty in handling: Cooking with an upside-down pan can be more challenging to handle, especially when flipping or inverting the pan during or after cooking. It requires careful handling to avoid spills or accidents.
- Limited applicability: Not all recipes or dishes are suitable for cooking in an upside-down pan. It is typically used for specific recipes, such as the ones mentioned, where the dish is flipped or inverted as part of the cooking process.
- Potential for mess: When flipping or inverting the pan, there is a potential for mess, especially if the technique is not executed properly. This could result in spills or splatters, creating a mess in the kitchen.
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How to flip food in a pan
Flipping food in a pan is a great way to mix and move food around. It can be tricky, but with practice, you'll be flipping like a chef!
First, ensure your pan is hot. Whether you're using a skillet, a non-stick pan, or a well-seasoned cast-iron pan, a hot surface is key to successful flipping. Next, have your ingredients ready and placed in the pan. For flipping, it's best to cut your ingredients into similar sizes so they cook evenly and can be flipped with ease. Smaller, uniform pieces are ideal.
Now, the flipping technique. Place your pan on the stove with a small amount of oil or butter, just enough to create a non-stick surface. Too much oil or butter can make flipping more difficult and create a mess. Once your pan is hot, gently lift the edge of the food you want to flip with a spatula. If you're cooking something solid like a steak or a burger patty, you can slide the spatula under and lift confidently. For multiple pieces of food, like stir-fry vegetables, get your spatula under as many pieces as possible to flip them together.
Here comes the flip! With your spatula under the food, quickly jerk your wrist to toss the food into the air and flip it. The key is a quick, confident motion. The food should flip over and land back in the pan. If you're new to this, it may take some practice to perfect the motion and build your confidence. It's important to be careful and aware of the hot pan and its contents. Always keep a safe distance and have a lid or splatter guard handy in case of any mishaps.
Flipping food in a pan is a fun and impressive way to cook, and with these steps, you'll be well on your way to mastering the technique.
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How to avoid oil pooling in an upside-down pan
Oil pooling in an upside-down pan can be caused by a variety of factors, including the type of oil used, the shape of the pan, and the evenness of the cooking surface. Here are some tips to avoid oil pooling:
Firstly, ensure your pan is level and not warped. Pans can warp over time, causing oil to pool in certain areas. Check if your pan is warped by turning it 180°; if the oil follows the pan and not the stove direction, your pan may be warped. To fix a warped pan, try hitting it with the heel of your hand to push the convex into a slight concave. Alternatively, use a smaller pan or a heavier-duty skillet, as they are more resistant to warping.
Secondly, consider the type and amount of oil you are using. Some oils, like olive oil, tend to form a single large puddle, especially in non-stick pans. Try using butter instead, as it provides an even coating of small droplets of fat. If you must use oil, opt for a very small amount, and crowd your pan with a large volume of small pieces of food. The food's exuded juices will pool around, creating a medium for the food to sit in, similar to braising.
Additionally, ensure your stove surface is level. Adjust the legs of your stove or use a wok stand to create a more level surface, especially if you have an old electric coil stove, which is notoriously uneven.
By following these tips, you can avoid oil pooling in an upside-down pan and improve your cooking experience.
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Recipes for upside-down cakes
The classic upside-down cake is the pineapple upside-down cake, a retro American favourite that was all the rage from the 1960s to the 1980s. This colourful cake is made with rings of canned pineapple and dotted with maraschino cherries, all nestled in a brown sugar glaze. The juices from the fruit seep down into the cake, adding flavour and texture.
You can make an upside-down cake with almost any fruit. Fresh, frozen, or canned fruit works well, but be careful not to use fruit that has been stored in juice or syrup. You can also add herbs to your upside-down cake: basil or lemon thyme are great with peaches and nectarines, mint works with almost any fruit, and rosemary is perfect with figs. Cinnamon is a good spice to add to an autumnal version of the cake, and you can use fresh apples, persimmons, or pears.
When making an upside-down cake, you will need at least two to three cups of prepared fruit for the topping. This is a rough number because fruit measures differently depending on how it is cut. You want at least a single layer of fruit covering the bottom of the pan, and you can let it pile up a little, too. The fruit will shrink when cooking.
You can make an upside-down cake in a cast-iron skillet, but be aware that if your skillet has been heavily seasoned with savory foods, those flavours may transfer to the sweet cake.
- Cake flour
- Baking powder and baking soda
- Salt
- Butter
- Sugar
- Egg whites
- Vanilla extract
- Sour cream or plain yoghurt
- Pineapple juice and milk
To make the cake, cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg whites and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients, then add them to the wet mixture. Finally, stir in the sour cream and pineapple juice. Pour the batter into a well-greased pan and top with the pineapple and cherries.
Have fun experimenting with different fruits and flavours to create your own unique upside-down cake!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook pizza in a pan upside down. You can make an upside-down deep-dish skillet pizza by layering toppings, sauce, and dough in a pan and then flipping it over onto a pizza pan.
Cooking with a pan upside down can help protect the pan's seasoning by preventing any residue on the oven racks from baking into the pan. It can also help to ensure even cooking and prevent food from sticking.
In addition to pizza, you can also cook an upside-down pineapple cake in a pan. You can also use the technique of flipping or tossing food in a pan to cook items like pancakes, frittatas, and stir-fries.
