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Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
@Jerzee - Poppycock and hogwash work nicely too. I don't know any master bakers who don't preheat their ovens, but as I myself am not a master baker, I'm just trying to build up a better background in baking, as my mom isn't too enthusiastic about the work that goes into it (she's the one who introduced me to the concept of no preheating required). Right now, I like to think that my baked goods are not only good enough for me to eat, but also good enough for everyone else? I do make a mean banana bread! I'm new to the scientific, precise world of baking, which is why I asked this question in the first place.
Thank you to everyone who has responded (and so quickly too!). I'm very impressed with these new Serious Efforts threads and I'm learning quite a bit! I actually tried to find the old article I read and I did find it for anyone who is interested: http://www.slashfood.com/2008/10/21/how-important-is-it-to-preheat-your-oven/
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
@JerzeeTomato - Just based off of my experience, preheating my cookies didn't make a big difference in my finished product than when I didn't preheat them at all. Also, saving energy in any situation, especially in these "green" conscious times, would be a major plus to not preheating. And with the newer and more accurate ovens these days, again my question is: how important is preheating?
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
@bareneed - Oh. I forgot about that. but I generally only need to extend the cooking time by a couple minutes or so, which is still shorter than the time it takes to preheat my oven in the beginning.
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
hi again.
to me, it feels like it all kind of got blown a little out of proportion... i think i'll start preheating again for all my baked goods, so thank you for that. this post was just meant to talk about how necessary preheating was... if it came off like i was against it, i didn't do that intentionally, i just had a question and i was just looking for some input. anyway, this wasn't meant to be a who's right, who's wrong kind of a thing. but thanks.
@VerasTastyFreeze- because she's my mom, i can't exactly tell her to bug off.
@sadiepix- i read the article, wasn't satisfied, and that's why i posted here at serious eats but thanks for reading it over
@arm1970- big brother? if a recipe told you to add a whole tbsp. of baking powder to a cup of flour, i would question the recipe
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
@Jerzee - Poppycock and hogwash work nicely too. I don't know any master bakers who don't preheat their ovens, but as I myself am not a master baker, I'm just trying to build up a better background in baking, as my mom isn't too enthusiastic about the work that goes into it (she's the one who introduced me to the concept of no preheating required). Right now, I like to think that my baked goods are not only good enough for me to eat, but also good enough for everyone else? I do make a mean banana bread! I'm new to the scientific, precise world of baking, which is why I asked this question in the first place.
Thank you to everyone who has responded (and so quickly too!). I'm very impressed with these new Serious Efforts threads and I'm learning quite a bit! I actually tried to find the old article I read and I did find it for anyone who is interested: http://www.slashfood.com/2008/10/21/how-important-is-it-to-preheat-your-oven/
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
@JerzeeTomato - Just based off of my experience, preheating my cookies didn't make a big difference in my finished product than when I didn't preheat them at all. Also, saving energy in any situation, especially in these "green" conscious times, would be a major plus to not preheating. And with the newer and more accurate ovens these days, again my question is: how important is preheating?
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
@bareneed - Oh. I forgot about that. but I generally only need to extend the cooking time by a couple minutes or so, which is still shorter than the time it takes to preheat my oven in the beginning.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
actually, at my high school, everyone's break snack would be hot cheetos dipped in the little cream cheese containers you were supposed to get with bagels... -shudder- i wrote off hot cheetos a long time ago.
Worst cooking experience ever?
@smokey07: i had a similar experience to, except i had been eating and my lips had started to burn. i wiped them with a napkin and succeeded to spread the oil further along. then, instead of stopping, i went to the bathroom and proceeded to wash my whole face with water, spreading the oils all across my face. my eyes started burning terribly, and lips were still on fire, i freaked out and took a wet paper towel and rubbed it all over my face again to attempt to cool it down.... sigh.
and this other time, i wanted to try out a new pasta dish, lemon fettuccine by Paula Deen, and i was pretty confident in my pasta skills, invited my uncle over. by the time i finished, the pasta was way too dry and the cream was congealing up because i had been so frustrated with getting the seasoning right. it turned out way too lemony, we had to microwave the pasta to warm it up more, which congealed it more, and my uncle doesn't even like sour things. dinner was quiet and my uncle always asks about who's cooking and if it's me, he says sorry, he has other things to do.
'F*** Yeah, Cilantro'
and that kinda sucks because my family loves cilantro. especially my mom.
but ever since i cold remember, i stayed away from all herbs: onions, garlic, chives, shallots, etc, etc, and cilantro. i've gotten over all except the latter.
'F*** Yeah, Cilantro'
the only way i can stand cilantro is in a nice spicy chutney over a samosa.
that's it.
everything else about cilantro i utterly can't stand. the smell, and even tasting a little bit of cilantro in my banh mi or pho or anything else makes me gag.
period. the end.
Celebrating Mardi Gras with King Cake
reminiscent of Like Water for Chocolate's king's bread.
Pad Thai Recipe?
just the recipe i would've recommended !
Teach me tofu
my favorite way of eating silken tofu would be blisseau's way, but i do a soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, black vinegar, and a few drops of lemon sauce. sprinkled with some strips of nori.
or sometimes i just eat it plain with sugar sprinkled over the top.
or you could make a really good ginger syrup and pour that over the tofu. delicious!
or make some miso soup.
yum.
'Culinary Slumming'
practically all frozen items in the frozen aisle section. the entrees: pasta, pizza, etc. breakfast items; i like eating chocolate chip waffles right out of the freezer.
In Videos: Heart Attack Grill
this is actually making me physically ill.
i can't believe a burger is making me feel ill.
The Year That Was in Food Porn on Serious Eats
@Michele- but it looks oh-so delicious.
but i do agree, i wish there was more avocado.
Recipes in Like Water for Chocolate
yes. the quail with rose sauce sounded absolutely divine, for lack of a better word, i was also interested in the chiles with walnut sauce. thanks (:
@wazup1999: where did you buy the rose oil? do you think it's worth it to buy?
Snapshots from Asia: Will the Real Shaved Ice Please Stand Up?
i think i just died and went to heaven. no corny pick up line this time.
but how coincidental and sad can it be that i live in san jose and go to oakridge, but all this time, shaved ice has escaped me ?
Sweet Tweaks Pumpkin Sponge Cake Round-Up: Cast Your Votes Now!
torn between the panna cotta and the sweet and salty sponge cake
...
...
i'll have to go with sweet and salty.
can't i do both?
Serious Eats Stickers Need a Good Home
yay for stickers!
they're beautiful!
thank you mucho.
The Most Disgusting School Lunches
our chicken burger was literally a chicken burger: a slab of dry, overly peppery chicken breast between equally dry buns
woot.
One Good Egg, One Good Idea
i was always curious about what a raw egg would taste like
;D
In Videos: Mac vs. PC in Apple Computer Pizza Box Ad
awe.
PC is so cute.
i'd choose him (:
Seriously Seeking Interns
if only i lived on the east coast.
if only i was older.
):
In Videos: Heart Attack Grill
I agree Adam...I think the whole schitck is exactly that....a schtick. If thier food was any good maybe I'd be more inclined to eat there again.
http://eatingtheroad.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/heart-attack-grill-diet-center/
They're just trying to tap into the whole shock/controversy thing...and unfortunately that does work. Those news stations can't get enough of it. If you really want to dislike them watch the video on their homepage (How to Kill a Giant):
http://www.heartattackgrill.com/
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
I used to go to the LA Reader office on Friday mornings to collect my mail, then I'd stop in the chain drugstore nearby to pick up a piece of beef jerky, and a package of vanilla creme sandwich cookies, which I'd eat while driving to my day job. Not together, just back-to-back. Can't remember if I ate the jerky or the cookies first, nor why I thought those would make a good breakfast.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Frosty and Fries (not weird)
Dunking Chocolate chip cookies in Orange juice... YUMM!
The Most Disgusting School Lunches
Our school had dominoes pizza every month. Kids were ecstatic for that and that day saw the most fights occur out of every month. True Story.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Last night I had some buttery, salty matzah brie (what? i got leftovers.) with drizzled honey. Mmmmmmnomnomnom.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Serious Eats---- Don't let this subject die! There is so much more junk to learn from everyone! Dave Johnson
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Serious Eats---- Don't let this subject die! There is so much more junk to learn from everyone! Dave Johnson
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Candy korn, dipped in chocolate syrup followed with salty peanuts.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Let's see: banana with a slice of American cheese, breaking off small triangles of cheese for each bite. My absolute favorite when I was little, and I still love it. I think my mom learned it from Mister Rogers.
Also, baby carrots w/ketchup and tortilla chips on the side; raw red cabbage with yellow mustard; and my guilty coming home drunk secret: bowl of white rice with American cheese melted on top. I like American cheese on most anything...
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
ok----------sorry!
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
@old chef: We're happy that you're so enthused about weird snack combos that you've shared several recipes with us all here. But, please, for the love of God, can it with the ALL CAPS already!!!
IT'S LIKE YOU'RE SCREAMING AT US. (See?)
Please turn off your "caps lock" key.
Thanks!
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
HERE'S A GREAT SANDWICH--- RYE BREAD-SPREAD CREAM CHEESE, ADD BANANA SLICES, SPREAD PEANUT BUTTER ADD SWEET PICKLE SLICES AND SHREDDED LETTUCE.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Sour Cream and Onion chips, with a Mars bar and a cold glass of milk. Eat chips, bite chocolate bar. Chase with milk. Delicious.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
HERE'S ANOTHER FOR YOU, DID THIS WHEN I WAS A KID. A COLD BOTTLE(OR CANNED) OF COKE AND FILLED WITH A PACK OF PEANUTS. DRINK AND CHEW!
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Oops, forgot to mention...Nutella sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies (preferably homemade) and dunked into cafe au lait.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Crisply fried bacon crumbled into GrapeNuts cereal that is sprinkled with white sugar or brown sugar and soaking in half-and-half.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Here's one for ya---- how about a celery stick dipped in caramel and than in dry roasted peanuts.
there ought to be a little chocolate there somewhere!
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
I've read all of these and contributed a few and I would have to say that someone will come up with a spectacular, lasting combination that will go down in history like chocolate and peanut butter.
Let's don't stop here!!!!!
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
I always thought of preheating as making sure your dish is cooking at the same temperature the whole time. It's hard to say you should cook something for 30 minutes when the first 5-10 minutes, the heat might not be at full capacity.
When it comes to pasta though, I don't always wait for my water to boil. I can more easily watch the pasta on the stove to test for doneness than I can watch whatever is in the oven. Does that make sense?
Hillary
Chew on That
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
While I think it is excessive to preheat from the moment you start a recipe, I do like to start the oven about 10 minutes before things go in. My oven is very small, so it doesn't take much longer than that to get up to temp. I also use an oven thermometer.
Another reason I personally like to preheat is to burn off any excess gas. My oven is about 35 years old and needs to be lit with a match, so the base of the oven is pretty much filling with gas until the flame catches, which causes the oven to smell like gas for a few minutes until it burns off. Not sure if placing food in a cloud of gas is harmful, but it seem a little gross.
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
....as my mom isn't too enthusiastic about the work that goes into it (she's the one who introduced me to the concept of no preheating required).
why would you take baking advice from someone who isn't a baking enthusiast?
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
Question WITH baking, why take the gamble, so some of it comes out okay and you save energy yada yadda but if it doesn't come out and you have to toss it then you are wasting money, food AND energy. Better safe then sorry.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
I like Cheetos dipped in strawberry yogurt!
Serious Efforts: Why preheat?
Another reason other than the excellent ones listed above for preheating is that if you put your dish into a cold oven, you do risk scorching or burning in that the oven uses the element on the bottom and the broiler element on top to heat the oven, so your food is subjected to that. A bit of a "run on" sentence, but never mind, I think it is relevant!
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Cottage cheese and maple syrup - since I was a kid! Maybe it was my mom's way of persuading me to eat cottage cheese - I guess it worked! Pretzels (the saltier, the better) and bananas - don't remember where I got this one! Potato chips with pineapple cream cheese spread on them - college days craziness, but sooooo yummy! I guess it's the salty-sweet thing. One of the guys I went to college with used to lift up the top crust of his apple pie and pour on some ketchup! I thought this was really wierd and was too afraid to try it, but my sister worked for the Heinz experimental / developmental kitchens at the time and they tried baking apple pies with ketchup, so maybe it was more popular than I thought. However, it never went anywhere, I guess other people were afraid, too!
Anyway, this same guy also ate Milkbones dog treats, so there you go!
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hi again.
to me, it feels like it all kind of got blown a little out of proportion... i think i'll start preheating again for all my baked goods, so thank you for that. this post was just meant to talk about how necessary preheating was... if it came off like i was against it, i didn't do that intentionally, i just had a question and i was just looking for some input. anyway, this wasn't meant to be a who's right, who's wrong kind of a thing. but thanks.
@VerasTastyFreeze- because she's my mom, i can't exactly tell her to bug off.
@sadiepix- i read the article, wasn't satisfied, and that's why i posted here at serious eats but thanks for reading it over
@arm1970- big brother? if a recipe told you to add a whole tbsp. of baking powder to a cup of flour, i would question the recipe