72
Fig. 14
ADVICE FOR THE USE
OF YOUR TRADITIONAL OVEN
For the preparation of cakes
Pre-heat the oven, unless indicated differently, for at
least 10 minutes before use. do not open the oven
door when cooking dishes which must raise (e.g.
raised pastries and soufflés); the jet of cold air would
block the raising process.
To check if cakes are cooked, insert a toothpick into
the mixture; if it comes out clean the cake is ready.
Wait until at least 3/4 of the cooking time has passed
before doing this check.
As a general rule remember that:
A dish which is well-cooked on the outside but not
sufficiently cooked inside, would have required a longer
cooking time but lower temperature. On the contrary,
a “dry” texture would have required a shorter cooking
time but higher temperature (Fig. 14).
For the preparation of meat:
Meat to the cooked in the oven should weigh at least 1
kilo to avoid its becoming too dry. If you want roasts
with a good colour, use very little oil. If the piece is
lean, use a little oil and butter. Butter or oil are
unnecessary if the piece has a strip of fat on top. If the
piece has a strip of fat on one side only, put it in the
oven with this side upwards; when melting the fat will
grease the lower side sufficiently.
Red meat should be removed from the fridge one hour
before cooking otherwise the sudden change of tem-
perature could cause it to become tough. A roast,
especially if of red meat, must not be salted at the
beginning of cooking as salt causes juices and blood
to seep out of the meat, thus preventing the formation
o a well-browned crust.
It is advisable to salt the outside the of the meat after
just over half the cooking time.
Place the roast in the oven in a dish having a low rim;
a deep dish acts as a shield and prevents heat from
circulating.
Meat can be placed on an ovenproof dish or directly
on the grill, under which the dripping pan should be
inserted to collect juice. Ingredients for gravy should
only be put in the dish immediately if cooking time is
brief, otherwise they should be added during the last
half hour.
Begin cooking rare meat at a high temperature,
reducing the temperature to finish cooking the inside.
The cooking temperature for white meat can be mode-
rate throughout.
The degree of cooking can be checked by pressing the
meat with a fork; if it does not give the meat is cooked.
At the end of cooking it is advisable to wait at least 15
minutes before cutting the meat in order that the juices
are not lost. Before serving plates can be kept warm
in the oven regulated at minimum temperature.
For the preparation of fish
Cook small fish from start to finish at a high tempera-
ture. Cook medium-sized fish initially at a high tempe-
rature and then gradually lower the temperature. Cook
large fish at a moderate temperature from start to
finish.
Check that baked fish is cooked by gently lifting one
side of the gut; the meat must be white and opaque
throughout, except in the case of salmon, trout or
similar.
In any case, carefully follow the instructions of the
recipe you are using.
Grilling
The following types of meat are suitable for grilling.
Meat or offal cut in slices or pieces of various sizes but
not usually very thick, poultry cut in half and flattened,
fish, some vegetables (e.g. courgettes, aubergines,
tomatoes, etc.), skewers of meat or fish and seafood.
Meat and fish to be grilled should be lightly brushed
with oil and always placed on the grill; this should be
positioned on the level nearest or furthest from the grill
in order to control cooking to avoid burning the surface
or leaving the inside uncooked.
Pour 1 or 2 glasses of water into the dripping pan in
order to avoid the formation of smoke caused by drops
of juice and fat.
The grill can also be used to brown, toast bread and
grill certain types of fruit, such as bananas, halved
grapefruit, slices of pineapple, apples, etc. Fruit should
not be placed too near the source of heat.
Cooking times
Cooking times can vary according to the type of food,
its consistency and its volume.
It is advisable to watch when cooking for the first time
and check results in order to prepare the same dishes
in the same conditions and thus obtain constantly
similar results. The “table of cooking times” relating to
cooking in the oven and by grill is provided as a guide.
Experience will show possible variations to the values
set out in the table.
FO 0061
