5 CREATIVE WAYS TO USE YOUR COUNTERTOP OVEN
Soaring temperatures and hot ovens aren’t a popular combination in summer months. Now you can steer clear of your stove while still whipping up a homemade meal, all thanks to the KitchenAid® 12″ Convection Bake Countertop Oven.
Read on to discover five creative ways to put your KitchenAid® Countertop Oven to use, from savory salad toppings to indoor s’mores, plus a quick and easy way to achieve perfectly hard-boiled eggs—no water needed!
Spruce Up Salads with Homemade Croutons
Skip the store-bought salad toppings and make the most of that loaf of stale bread by transforming it into easy homemade croutons seasoned with your choice of fresh herbs, spices and cheeses.
Begin by pre-heating your KitchenAid® Countertop Oven to 400°F. Next, slice any variety of bread into 1/2-inch cubes then toss the cubes with melted butter, olive oil or a combination of the two. (Aim for about 1 tablespoon of fat per 1 1/2 cups of bread.) Season the croutons simply with salt and pepper, or sprinkle them with chopped fresh herbs, minced garlic or shredded cheeses before spreading the croutons on the foil-lined countertop oven baking tray.
Crank up the timer to 15 minutes and watch as the bread transforms into golden brown croutons perfect for adding a crispy crunch to salads or starring in Italian panzanella (bread salad) tossed with DIY dressing or quick-fix pesto.
Swap Sun-Dried for Oven-Dried
Bypass the jars of sun-dried tomatoes and make your own instead by using your countertop oven to dehydrate fresh tomatoes into the ultimate addition to pizzas, pastas and salads.
This quick and easy recipe for oven-dried tomatoes is a great way to make the most of an overabundance of tomatoes during warmer months and is easily customized to suit your tastes.
Halve any variety of tomatoes (plum tomatoes work best) and place them cut side up in the KitchenAid® Countertop Oven baking tray. Season the tomatoes with salt and chopped fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary. Then all that’s left to do is pop the tomatoes into your 250°F Countertop Oven for 4 hours until they’ve dehydrated into dried tomatoes.
The KitchenAid® Countertop Oven works wonders for recipes with longer bake times, giving you the freedom to utilize your regular oven for alternate purposes while still yielding batches of oven-dried tomatoes any month of the year.
Go Easy on Hard-Boiled Eggs
Why wait for water to boil when you can have perfectly hard-boiled eggs courtesy of your KitchenAid® Countertop Oven? All is takes is 30 minutes at 325°F to yield perfectly cooked eggs with creamy yellow yolks.
The key is to insert the Countertop Oven baking rack inside the baking tray and to then place the eggs in between the grates to prevent them from rolling around. After 30 minutes, transfer the eggs into a bowl of ice water to prevent them from overcooking then peel and enjoy the eggs in your favourite recipe for deviled eggs or egg salad sandwiches.
Toast Your S’Mores Indoors
There are no sticks or campfires required when it comes time to toast marshmallows. S’mores become a snack for all seasons thanks to the versatility of the KitchenAid® Countertop Oven’s broiling abilities.
Place half of a Graham Cracker topped with your choice of chocolate and a marshmallow inside the baking tray positioned about 3 inches from the top of the oven. Set the Countertop Oven to “broil” and watch as the bright white mallows transform into toasted perfection. Best of all, you can skip the single servings and use the baking tray to broil up to six s’mores at once.
Ditch Cold Dishes
Countertop Ovens aren’t just for cooking. Make the most of the “warm” functionality to avoid serving hot meals on ice-cold dishes. The extra-large size of the KitchenAid® Countertop Oven allows you to warm plates of all sizes in a matter of minutes. Remember to use an oven mitt or towel when removing the plates from the countertop oven, as they will be extra-warm to the touch.
