View source for Otoshi buta

{{short description|Japanese wood drop-lid for cooking}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}}
[[Image:OtoshiButa.DropLid.jpg|thumb|''Otoshi buta'' (17&nbsp;cm diameter)]]
'''''Otoshi buta''''' ({{lang|ja|落し蓋}}, literally: drop-lid) are [[Japan]]ese-style drop-[[Lid (container)|lid]]s for use in [[Cuisine of Japan|Japanese cooking]]. These round lids float on top of the [[liquid]] in a pot while [[simmering]] foods. They ensure that the heat is evenly distributed and reduce the tendency of liquid to boil with large bubbles. This reduces the mechanical stress on the food and keeps fragile ingredients in their original shape.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.japanesefoodreport.com/2010/02/the-power-of-the-otoshibuta-or.html|title=The Power of the Otoshibuta (or, the Drop Lid) - The Japanese Food Report|website=www.japanesefoodreport.com|access-date=2016-06-07}}</ref>

Otoshi buta are almost always made from [[wood]], so they have to be soaked in [[water]] for a few minutes before use to avoid absorbing the flavor of the dish and disturbing the flavor of the next dish cooked using the ''otoshi buta''. After use, the ''otoshi buta'' is washed and dried completely before storing.

Though it depends on the [[recipe]] and [[food]] being cooked, ''otoshi buta'' may be substituted with a sheet of tough [[cooking paper]] or [[aluminum foil]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.justonecookbook.com/how_to/how-to-make-otoshi-buta/|title=How To Make Otoshibuta • Just One Cookbook|website=Just One Cookbook|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-07}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Japanese cooking utensils]]
*[[Cartouche (cooking)]]

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Otoshi Buta}}
[[Category:Japanese food preparation utensils]]