It takes time for ovens to cool down. By turning your oven off five minutes early, the residual heat will take care of the final cooking while saving you five minutes of gas or electricity. So, what's for dinner?
I suppose one useful way of encouraging people is a lesson a Swiss cook/soldier friend taught me, which is the reason *why* this can be done even with freezer-to-oven food:
By possessing heat food will cook *after* you remove it, drying it out, so when you take food out on the dot it can actually become a bit lifeless.
Also a big deal with baking dense goodies with long cooking times just right.
So al dente pasta, soft pizza and baked goods cooked to perfection all round!
I didn't realise this would help! I'm so dense. Definitely doing this one.
Did this 5 years ago and still going strong ;)
Unfortunately, since 2 years I have an electrical oven instead of a gas oven...
It's easy to do it myself, but it's very hard to convince my flatmates to turn off the oven 5 minutes earlier. Any ideas what I could tell them?
I just started doing this last night with a frozen pizza, it just occured to me and it definately worked, also I live in New Mexico, and it is very cold in the winter, so it also warms my kitchen and living room.
I thought of this some time ago and then forgot it. But after taking this goal, I really started turning off my oven 5 minutes earlier. No problems with the food :)
I just have to think of a way to make my husband do this, because he forgets :(
I have to admit I have never thought about that before. Always followed the instructions on the recipe but now I will shut the oven off 5 min. earlier.
I promise :-)
I'm an avid baker and have always done this. When you turn the oven off just before your cake, cookies, etc. turn golden brown, it will cook it off an leave it extra moist!!
I also don't pre-heat my oven. I just pop in the food and it really doesn't take any extra time to cook!
Easy-peasy. And good for whatever your cooking. If you're a flesh eater, like me, a roast chicken will benefit from sitting in the oven for up to 15 minutes after you've powered it down.
I remember my mom used to do this in summer, since it got so hot. As an avid baker I can vouch that this works. Also, if you're making something only using one rack, stick a potato or two in there and you'll can have a baked potato any time in the next few days without the long wait!
This was easy - sort of a shortcut, cuz I don't cook :)
I'm trying the same technique with my glass-top style electric hob. Seems to be working a treat.
Genuis !
Its also a good idea to leave the oven door open after you take the food out, if its cold that is!! Let the heat out, its doing no one any good in there.
