Oven dishes: characteristics, types, selection and operation

Many housewives use an electric or gas oven to prepare a variety of dishes. However, juicy meat, sweet pastries and other culinary masterpieces can turn out to be perfect only if all the nuances of cooking are observed. These include the correct choice of container for baking. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of oven dishes. Products differ in shape, size, materials of manufacture.

Baking utensils must be heat-resistant, and, when used in a gas appliance, also refractory. At the same time, high-quality products intended for cooking in the oven must conduct heat well. One of the important parameters when choosing heat-resistant cookware is the material. Containers should not melt, deform, absorb odors. The food in them must not burn. A dish cooked in high-quality dishes turns out to be evenly baked. It is easy to remove, has no foreign tastes.

Oven dishes need to be chosen with sufficiently thick walls and bottom. This is associated with the uniformity of heating, as well as the ability to retain heat. The optimal parameter is from 0.6 to 0.8 cm.

There are several types of containers in which certain dishes are prepared.

• Cocotte... This is the name of a small ladle with a long handle. Such dishes are perfect for preparing and serving portioned meals. This is usually julienne.However, the cocotte maker is also used to prepare roast, vegetable stew, baked fish, omelet, pudding, and curd casserole. These dishes are made of steel, ceramics, cast iron.

• The goose girl. It is an oval container with a lid, slightly resembling a saucepan. Modern options are made of cast iron, heat-resistant glass, ceramics. In such dishes, meat, vegetables, poultry are baked and stewed.

• Brazier. This is a container with a thickened bottom, a lid and small handles on the sides. Modern variations have various shapes: they are round, oval, rectangular. The dishes are used for roasting meat, fish, vegetables. French-style potatoes are very tasty in it. For the manufacture of such containers, steel, aluminum, cast iron and glass are used.

• Tazhin - a shallow wide container with a high cone-shaped lid. The dishes came to us from Asian countries. Due to the thickness of the walls, special shape and massiveness, it is ideal for long stewing and "simmering". During cooking, steam condenses on the top of the lid. Then the drops gradually flow down the walls. This allows you to get juicy food without the addition of oil and water. The ingredients are stewed in their own juice. Meat, poultry, fish, vegetables are cooked in tagine.

• Baking pots. These are small portioned ceramic containers. They prepare delicious cereals, soups, julienne and other dishes.

• Baking tray - a thin sheet of metal with curved edges and sides. Pies and buns are usually baked on baking sheets. They are also suitable for baking potatoes, meat, fish, vegetables.

The sizes of containers for cooking in the oven range from very small, suitable for serving one portion of the dish, to large, designed for a family of two or more people.

The shapes of the dishes are also different. The choice here depends on the purpose of the container.

• Round... It is very convenient to bake cakes, various pies, pizza in such dishes. It should be noted that for baking bakery products, containers with a side height of about 7 cm are more suitable.For the preparation of other types of confectionery, a height of about 3 cm is sufficient.
• Oval shape optimal for cooking meat and fish dishes.
• Rectangular. You can also bake meat and fish in such containers. They are also suitable for cooking lasagna, vegetable dishes, pies with filling.
• Wavy shapes used to create beautiful cupcakes, cakes, pastries. Before placing the dough in the container, all walls are thoroughly greased with oil. This is necessary so that the baked goods can be easily removed from the dishes, and their edges are neat and beautiful.
• Curly. In addition to the usual wave-like shapes, manufacturers offer more original options. These are containers in the form of stars, hearts, letters, animals, etc. They are usually made of silicone. They are used to make a variety of confectionery products that delight both adults and children with their appearance.

Baking tins can be either solid or split. Many housewives consider the second option more convenient. It is ideal for baking biscuits. The baked goods can be removed quickly and easily. The removable bottom contributes to this.

The earthenware dishes are very beautiful, and the serving of the dishes in them is very effective. Modern microwave ovens and ovens allow the use of such products if they are heat-resistant. In this case, it is advisable not to heat the device too much, the temperature should be increased gradually. The products will be stewed slowly, retaining all their useful properties. Once cooked, the dish will stay warm for a long time.

The disadvantages of ceramic containers include the porosity of the material.Such dishes can absorb aromas, so it is better to transfer the remains of the dish to another container. The fragility of ceramics is also worth noting. Handle products with extreme care.

Silicone products are distinguished by plasticity, lightness, a variety of shapes and colors. That is why today they are very popular. The containers have non-stick properties and make excellent baked goods. The material is not afraid of temperature extremes; such forms can be put both in the oven and in the refrigerator. Unlike glass or ceramic dishes, such a product cannot be broken.

Teflon coating allows for fat-free cooking. This is an excellent solution for a dietary diet. However, it is important to remember that the material must not be heated to more than 260 ° C, otherwise it will begin to emit substances hazardous to human health.

Steel cookware is a classic option. It is affordable, easy to use and practical. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, durable, and retains all the useful properties of products. There is a wide selection of steel cookware suitable for the oven. In such containers, food is cooked quickly without burning.

Cast iron is not very attractive. However, some people still use cast iron for cooking. The material retains heat for a long time, does not allow food to burn. It is durable, resistant to mechanical stress. Scratches from metal spoons do not affect the functionality of such cookware. Nevertheless, cast iron still has more disadvantages. It is prone to rust, absorbs fat, which gradually becomes carcinogenic.

Heat-resistant glass is also used to make heat-resistant cookware. You can both bake and reheat food in it. The shape is usually oval or rectangular. This ensures even heating. Some models are supplied with a cover. It is only important to remember that glass does not tolerate sudden temperature changes.

Disposable forms made of foil or special paper - an excellent solution for those who rarely cook and do not want to clutter up the kitchen with various utensils... The paper allows baking without a lot of oil. It does not deform, retains the shape of confectionery products, allows them to be easily removed (in extreme cases, you can simply tear the paper). Such forms do not need to be washed. Food in paper can be placed in the refrigerator. It is also worth noting the pleasantly low price of such a solution.

When choosing cookware for a gas or electric oven, there are several important points to consider.

• The size of the container depends on the number of members in your household. If there are two of you, the small size will suffice. If the family is large or guests often come to you, it is better to take a larger volume. Another option is several individual small pots or, for example, cocotte makers.
• The dimensions of the oven chamber should also be considered, especially when buying a baking sheet. At least 5-6 cm should remain from its edges to the walls of the oven.
• The next criterion is the purpose of the dishes. Healthy food without fat in its own juice can be prepared in ceramic and glass containers. If you like a crispy, appetizing crust, choose aluminum or cast iron. These materials can be used in grill mode. Silicone is commonly used to create baked goods (pies, muffins, etc.).
• As far as the thickness of the pan is concerned, it depends on the cooking method. Thick-walled products are intended for long-term simmering at low temperatures. Thin steel trays are suitable for high heating and subsequent rapid cooling.
• The height of the walls is related to the type of food you are going to cook.High ones are needed for baked goods, potatoes, casseroles. Meat and fish can be baked on a low-sided baking sheet.
• If you love pilaf, get a cauldron. If you like juliennes and casseroles, a cocotte maker is a good buy. Complex multi-component dishes and delicious roasts are obtained in a roaster. Delicious soups and cereals - in a pot with a lid. Tagine comes in handy for creating fat-free meals.
• When choosing dishes, it is worth considering the type of appliance. For example, if you have a microwave oven, metal objects will not work for you. It's all about the material's ability to reflect microwaves.
• Plastic dishes are not suitable for use in any type of oven. Also, you can not place enamelled dishes there that are not designed for strong heating. It should be noted that some cast iron baking trays also have an enamel coating. Therefore, it is important to take into account the manufacturer's recommendations on the purpose of the item.
• Do not place damaged containers (cracks, chips, etc.) in the oven. Such dishes can burst under the influence of temperature. This, in turn, can lead not only to spoilage of the dish, but also to damage the inner surface of the oven.

Enamelled, glass and steel products require little maintenance. They are easy to clean with conventional products. The main thing is not to use abrasive substances and wipe the products dry in order to avoid streaks. If stains appear on a stainless steel item, they can be removed with vinegar or citric acid. Cast iron cookware, like iron cookware, is prone to rust formation, so it should not be soaked.

For more information on the difference between baking dishes, see the next video.