When it comes to cooking, the oven is one of the most versatile tools in your kitchen. In this post, I'll share with you 10 of the best oven hacks that I use in my own kitchen. These hacks are perfect for busy home cooks who want to save time and make delicious meals with ease. So, let's get started.
Use a Pizza Stone for Crispy Bases: If you're a pizza lover, then you know that the key to a great pizza is a crispy base. One way to achieve this is by using a pizza stone. Simply place the pizza stone in your oven before preheating it, and let it heat up for at least 30 minutes. Then, slide your pizza onto the hot stone and let it cook. The stone will absorb moisture from the pizza dough, resulting in a crispy base that's evenly cooked.
Roast Vegetables on a Wire Rack: Roasting vegetables in the oven is a great way to bring out their natural sweetness and add depth to their flavours. But did you know that you can make them even more delicious by roasting them on a wire rack? By elevating the vegetables off the baking sheet, you allow hot air to circulate around them, resulting in a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
Use a Dutch Oven for Perfect Bread: Baking bread at home can be a daunting task, but it's also incredibly rewarding. If you want to achieve a perfect loaf of bread with a crispy crust and a soft interior, then try using a Dutch oven. The Dutch oven traps steam inside, which helps create a crispy crust and a soft, moist interior.
Make Perfect Meringues with a Cooling Oven: Making meringues can be tricky, as they can easily crack or collapse if not baked correctly. One way to prevent this is by using a cooling oven. After preheating your oven, turn it off and let it cool for a few minutes before placing your meringues inside. The residual heat in the oven will gently cook the meringues without overheating them, resulting in perfect, fluffy meringues every time.
Use a Sheet Pan for Easy Clean-Up: Nobody likes cleaning up after a big meal, but using a sheet pan can make the process a lot easier. Line your sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminium foil before cooking, and you'll be able to simply toss it away after use, leaving you with a clean and shiny sheet pan.
Use a Meat Thermometer for Perfect Meat: Cooking meat to the perfect temperature can be tricky, especially if you're not familiar with how to judge it by touch. A meat thermometer can take the guesswork out of the process and help you achieve perfectly cooked meat every time. Simply insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and wait for the reading to stabilize.
Make Oven-Dried Tomatoes for a Delicious Snack: If you love snacking on sun-dried tomatoes, then you'll love this oven hack. Simply slice your tomatoes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and herbs, and then roast them in the oven at a low temperature for a few hours. The result is a delicious and healthy snack that you can enjoy anytime.
Which tip worked for you? Drop a comment. Let's see which one's the most popular for our families.
