Balti versus European cookware
I've read about the Balti bowl (the cookware, not the dish). Apparently, one can cook specific recipes with it. For example, it is used to prepare a curry over intense heat. In particular, I was looking at this bowl from Le Creuset.
I have an electric stovetop so I cannot really use intense heat like from a hob. Also the bowl does not have a lid and it is probably not really stackable/nestable with other cookware. Therefore I'm wondering if it offers any other advantage over or has other noticeable differences from European pots that would justify spending that hefty amount of money and dedicated kitchen space.
Best Answer
The dish is not valuable, particularly not the one from Le Creuset. While there is a particular curry formula called Balti, the use of a Balti Bowl is largely a cosmetic touch.
First, the Balti Bowl as a specialized cooking tool has been promoted almost entirely by manufacturers; first the Birmingham Balti Bowl Co., who "re-created" the vessel, and lately by Le Creuset who has added it to their line. Further, the idea of some form of expensive cookware being authentic is laughable; according to Tripsaavy, "Restaurants in the Balti Triangle are small, friendly, family owned places with an informal atmosphere" and thus unlikely to use a 100EUR pot. Further, independent recipe sites like The Spruce Eats suggest cooking the curry in a pan and using the Balti dish just for serving.
If you were to get one, the Le Creuset seems like the worst choice. Per Birmingham: "true to tradition the Bowls are made in pressed-steel, developing the iconic black patina over time", and certainly the recipes suggest that Balti curries need to be cooked rapidly over high heat, making enameled cast iron an unsuitable material for them. There's also a 3X price difference.
Note that I am not from Birmingham, nor Pakistani, so it's possible that you'll hear from someone who is that I'm dead wrong. But if you don't, I'd say skip the specialized, single-dish cookware.
Pictures about "Balti versus European cookware"
What is Le Creuset Balti?
Le Creuset's Cast Iron balti dish features a flat base for use on the hob. It can also be used under the grill or in the oven. As the name suggests, it's perfect for cooking aromatic curry dishes. But be creative \u2013 there's so much more you can do with it.What is a balti pan used for?
A Balti Dish is a wide pan with two loop handle. Because of the wide opening, they are great for stirring and tossing food. Unlike most other Indian dish, Balti are designed to be cooked quickly. They're not meant to be stewed like the other curries.Is Le Creuset Balti non-stick?
Ages gracefully: the enamel interior develops a natural patina that will behave like a non-stick surface.How big is the Le Creuset Balti dish?
Product informationProduct Dimensions12.1 x 9.8 x 4.2 inchesItem Weight5.2 poundsManufacturerLe Creuset of AmericaASINB00F34PWAQItem model numberL2042-24674 more rowsCuisines of the World - The Balti Dish
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Answer 2
It's a cast iron pan, it will behave like any other cast iron pan.
Le Creuset probably makes it "better" in some way (ie. maybe thicker material...), but that should not make it better than traditional ones.
From the description (google translate form german page you linked): "Dishes from the Balti Dish are also called Karahi and are very similar to wok dishes"
From what I see from videos, it is used as a deep frying pan (like a cross between a wok and a regular sautee pan).
So in most case, there are not difference or advantages to the Balti Bowl over other pans.
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Images: Yaroslav Shuraev, João Gustavo Rezende, Krivec Ales, Pixabay