Drop-Lid

Known as an otoshi-buta, this wooden lid, which has a small wooden handle on top, fits just inside of a pot rim. It floats directly on top of the simmering foods, keeping them from moving around, helping to spread the flavors of the liquid evenly, and preventing the liquid from cooking away. Nimono (simmered) dishes such as Otoosan no Kabocha Nimono and lridori employ this specialized lid. I make my own by shaping a disk of aluminum foil, which works passably well, except that you have to remember to use a potholder when fishing it out at the end of cooking, as it gets very hot. An Asian kitchen supplies store or website will have drop-lids in different sizes to fit your pots or you can improvise, as I do.