instructables classes

COOKING CLASS (/class/Cooking-Class/)

LESSON 6: BAKING, BROILING AND ROASTING

with jessyratfink

In this lesson, we're going to cover different cooking techniques that use an oven!

I really love cooking in the oven. In most cases it takes longer, but you don't have to babysit the food
very much. That's a huge bonus if you're wanting to relax a bit after work or if you're already cooking
something on the stovetop!

Baking and roasting are fairly similar, but broiling is a beast all its own. In the next steps, I'll walk you
through each technique and give you some easy recipes to try out.

P.S. When I say baking, I'm not talking about the pastry-cookies-cakes kind. If you're interested in that,
please check out wold630's (https://www.instructables.com/member/wold630/)Science of Baking Class
(https://www.instructables.com/class/Science-of-Baking/). :D

Baking, Broiling and Roasting: Page 1

 What Are Baking and Roasting?

Baking and roasting are both methods of cooking in the oven, and the terms are often used
interchangeably. This can be a little confusing - but honestly, it doesn't matter too much! Below is how I
typically try to explain the difference. However, you should remember that there are a ton of exceptions
to these guidelines when it comes to naming a recipe! (For example - my "oven baked onion rings
(https://www.instructables.com/id/oven-baked-onion-rings/)" are cooked at 450 F / 230 C - which is
actually a roasting temperature.)

Baking, Broiling and Roasting: Page 2

 Photo above: oven baked French toast (https://www.instructables.com/id/baked-french-toast/)

Baking

Often done in a deeper pan - I like to use my 9x13 inch Pyrex baking pan for many baked foods. With
baking, you're not as worried about browning or caramelization, you are just wanting to cook the food
completely through. In some cases, you even cook the food with a bit of liquid.

Baking is usually done at 375 F / 190 C and below.

Good examples of baking: hash brown casserole (https://www.instructables.com/id/hashbrown-

casserole/), chicken pot pie (https://www.instructables.com/id/chicken-pot-pie-recipe/), baked pork
chops (https://www.instructables.com/id/Baked-Pork-Chops/), oven cooked ribs with spicy dry rub
(https://www.instructables.com/id/oven-cooked-ribs-with-spicy-dry-rub/)

Baking, Broiling and Roasting: Page 3

 Photo above: roasted edamame (https://www.instructables.com/id/roasted-edamame/)

Roasting

Roasting is usually done on a metal sheet pan for maximum browning. Temperatures for roasting
typically start at 375 F / 190 C and go up to around 450 F / 230 C.

Roasting is much like pan frying - you need to use a good bit of oil to keep the food from sticking, and
you also should try to avoid crowding the food so it can brown properly. You can also try lining your
sheet pans with parchment paper or aluminum foil to help with sticking and cleanup.

Good examples of roasting: sweet potato fries (https://www.instructables.com/id/Perfect-Oven-

Sweet-Potato-Fries/), pork tenderloin (https://www.instructables.com/id/pork-tenderloin/), goat
cheese stuffed peppers (https://www.instructables.com/id/goat-cheese-stuffed-peppers/), roasted
broccoli (https://www.instructables.com/id/roasted-broccoli-recipe/)

What Is Broiling?

Baking, Broiling and Roasting: Page 4

 Photo above: delicious broiled grapefruit (https://www.instructables.com/id/broiled-grapefruit-recipe/)!

Broiling is a fast and very high heat cooking method. (500-550F / 260-290 C) It's used to cook thin cuts
of meat and fish, to quickly brown vegetables, or to melt cheese. I admit I don't use it very often, but it
can come in really handy for crisping up food!

Depending on the model of oven you have, your broiler will be either situated on the "ceiling" of the
oven, or in a drawer compartment below the oven. If your broiler is in the top of the oven, make sure to
move one of your oven racks to the highest position so the heat can REALLY get into what you're
cooking.

Gas ovens will have flame broilers, while electric ovens using heating elements. Sometimes broilers
have "high" and "low" settings - sometimes it's just on or off!

One caveat to broiling: cooking happens fast! This is not a cooking technique that allows you to wander
off and do something else. Stick close to the oven and check your food frequently. You can go from
perfect to burnt very quickly!

Good examples of broiling: oven nachos (https://www.instructables.com/id/Oven-Nachos/), broiled

asparagus (https://www.instructables.com/id/broiled-asparagus/)

Baking, Broiling and Roasting: Page 5

 Baking, Broiling and Roasting Recipes

Now that you've learned about these three cooking techniques, it's time to try your hand at some
recipes!

Baking, Broiling and Roasting Recipe Collection (https://www.instructables.com/id/Baking-Broiling-and-

Roasting-Recipes/)

Lesson Quiz

Congrats - You've Graduated!

Photo above: dinner featuring my Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

(https://www.instructables.com/id/Pressure-cooker-pulled-pork-recipe/)

Thank you so much for reading through and taking my class! I hope you enjoyed it and learned a few
new things.

Feel free to ask questions on the class page or to message me from my member page
(https://www.instructables.com/member/jessyratfink/) here on the site. And make sure to browse
through my instructables (https://www.instructables.com/member/jessyratfink/instructables/) for even
more recipes not included in the class!

Happy cooking! :D

Baking, Broiling and Roasting: Page 6