Convection Oven

The food being cooked and the container being used will usually determine which cooking method should be used. If the container does not allow air flow around the food, then it is pointless to use the convection oven. 

You should use convention oven when cooking:

• Cookie sheets

• Shallow pans 

Conventional oven should be used for:

• Covered casseroles, pan or dishes

• Deep roasting pans

Since all ovens are different, it is important to read the instruction manual that comes along with the convection oven.

The initial oven temperature, quantity of food being baked, level of doneness and the model of the oven will affect the cooking time. It is important to check the user manual for instruction and also to experiment with the temperature and time when cooking different recipes. If the recipe states 350 degrees F for 12 minutes in a regular oven, you can adjust by:

• Baking at 350 degrees F for 9-10 minutes

• 325 degrees F for 12 minutes

• 340 degrees F for 11 minutes

Keep the vessel in the center of the rack so that the air can circulate evenly around the food.

Convection ovens work well when using cookie sheets or low sided roasting pans.

Such vessels enable the hot air to flow freely, or convection ovens are ineffective. It is advised to keep a two-inch clearance on all sides of the dish and not cover the vessel with aluminum foil.

Oven-Fried Chicken

• Ingredients

• Directions

1. Toast the bread slices, cool them and coarsely ground to make crumbs.

2. In a bowl, mix the crumbs, cheese, chili powder and salt well.

3. Clean and wash the chicken, pat dry and dip in beaten eggs.

4. Coat in the bread mix and place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with foil.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F in convection oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or till crumbs are brown.

Classic Cream Puffs

• Ingredients

• Directions

1. Combine the butter, sugar with 1 cup water and bring to a boil.

2. Add the flour and mix till it mixes well.

3. Cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add one egg at a time and beat till the mixture is smooth and satiny.

5. Spoon batter in 10 equal mounds on lightly buttered baking sheets.

6. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25- 30 minutes, poke the puffs with skewers and bake till they become dry, crisp and golden brown.

7. Slice the top third of the puff and fill the bottom ½ with filling of your choice. Cover with the top puff and sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.