New Oven

[poliphilo]

Our old oven was too small- and cramping my culinary ambition-  so we splashed out and bought  another. This new one is huge- a combination microwave, convection oven and grill- and it intimidated me at first- as all things with control panels do. I got off to a bad start. I was wanting to warm some croissants and they wound up like leather on the inside and all doughy on the outside, because I'd neglected to hit the keypad where it says "grill". One learns. Since then I've cooked a plum crumble (conventionally) and microwaved a bowl of rice and grilled some naan bread and more croissants- and my fingers are dancing over the panel with confidence. Now I'm contemplating a steak and kidney pie in the middle distance, with a turkey flapping its stubby, denuded wings on the horizon.  Ailz has been craving turkey and all the old oven could accomodate was chicken.  

Comments

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

I am envious. I covet a new oven but our old one still works...barely.
Mine accommodates a small turkey, no more than 4 kg. but I'd like one a bit bigger. We love turkey in this house!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Well, Christmas is coming and we may well be hosting the family party. I need a cooker that will cope with large amounts of food.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Our oven will hold a reasonable sized turkey, though I never cook one because G doesn't like it and now the family have grown up, there's no way I can eat a turkey all on my own.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm not fond of turkey. I don't hate it, but I think it's a bit dull.

[wokenbyart.livejournal.com]

Sounds brill!

We need a new oven too, we have a twin-oven cooker built into a fitted unit that's pretty old (came with the fitted kitchen already here when we bought the house) and one of the ovens - the bigger one - is unusable as the 'stay clean' liners on the sides and the back took to shedding their material over the food. Yuck! So we use the small upper oven (which also functions as a grill). Our problem is that we can't find a replacement that will fit. This one's about fifteen years old... We have the same problem with the fridge. Can't find one that'll fit. Don't know really how to solve this, can't afford a new fitted kitchen (and don't want one either, this one's fine apart from these two appliances).

I've always thought that food cooked in a microwave should be referred to as 'microwoven'.
;)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

This oven doesn't have to fit anywhere. It has little legs of its own and just sits out on the kitchen counter. This isn't an elegant solution, but, well, I don't suppose I care too much about the look of the thing- and having it on the counter means I don't have to bend to use it- which in my arthritic state is a blessing.

"Microwoven" is much prettier than "microwaved" :)

[calizen.livejournal.com]

Oh to be in the house of a man who likes to cook. Yum. Plum crumble? Never had it but can just imagine it. And oh yes, that time for turkey is coming up for us Americans.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I've been cooking most of my adult life, but have only just discovered what fun it can be.

Plum crumble is easy- stewed fruit with a topping of flour, butter and sugar. I believe you guys call it a "brown Betty".

[sunfell.livejournal.com]

We call it 'cobbler' round here- we put biscuit (scone) dough on top (the cobbles) and bake it. Peach cobbler is da bomb! Served with vanilla ice cream.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Cobbler's not quite the same. With cobbler you have a solid topping- like scones as you say- while with crumble the topping is grainy and crunchy and- well- crumbly.

[calizen.livejournal.com]

Usually made with apples, but delicious.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That's right. We have apple crumble too- and rhubarb crumble and apricot crumble. Plum just happens to be my favourite.

[sunfell.livejournal.com]

I had a 'chicken'-sized oven on the cooker in my flat at Ipswich. Darn stove was like a camper stove compared to what I was used to using. I couldn't fit both of my large Dutch ovens on the burners at the same time, and forget fixing turkey in it!

I have a nice new range in my current apartment. The old one died close to Thanksgiving 2 years ago. My dream kitchen will have 'dual fuel' (gas & electric) range, a double oven and a plate warmer.

Enjoy your new oven!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I've been cooking electric for a long time. I've had gas cookers in the past, but so long ago I'd be uncomfortable having to work with one now.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

What you call "crumble" is what I believe we call "crisp". No matter what the fruit or what the name I love it. Your descripton of wrestling a dinner out of the old oven reminded me of my lodging house cooking. I rejoice with you on your acquisition of a proper oven. It's been heaven since I moved in here with the real stove and all.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My mother used to make crumble. It was my favourite dessert when I was growing up. That and my grandmother's highly alcoholic sherry trifle.