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Many beginners in cooking often do not distinguish well between two similar cooking technologies: broiling and baking. You can implement both of these options for preparing dishes using a conventional oven.
However, is there a significant difference? And can you use one technology of preparation instead of another?
What is broilingÂ
Broiling is a fairly common method of cooking, which is based on direct heating of products at higher temperatures. Professional chefs advise using it for products with a rigid structure: meat, potatoes, and vegetables.
The most common temperature for broiling is 500-550 degrees Fahrenheit. For such a technology of preparation, it is best to cut all the products finely, so direct heat treatment will work much faster.
What is baking
Baking is very different from baking in many ways. This is an indirect method of processing products with hot air. This technology is more suitable for products with a soft structure: bakery products, rice, as well as cakes.
The average baking temp is about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This method of preparation will help to create a crispy crust for the products and preserve the softness inside.
Also, professional chefs claim that baking contributes to the uniform cooking of food.
Is broiling better than baking?Â
To understand which cooking methods you want to choose, pay attention to the main difference between baking and broiling. Among them:
- Heat source. In baking, you should cook food under the influence of indirect dry heat. While direct heat plays the main role in broiling.
- This is quite an important point. Everyone wants to cook their dishes as quickly as possible. In this case, give preference to broiling.
Choosing the best cooking option also depends on the products you have chosen. If your products are soft, then baking is a great option for you.
For tough products, cooks advise broiling.
Which is faster, bake or broil?
Broiling takes a leading position in terms of cooking speed. This is facilitated by several factors: the fineness of cutting products, cooking at high temperatures, as well as exposure to direct heat.
Baking in such a matter is a much longer method. However, cooks advise you not to make the speed of preparing products the main thing when choosing a technology.
You should first of all pay attention to the texture of the food and the desired result, and only then for the time of preparation.
Does the broiler make things crispy?Â
Broiler is a great way to make your products crispy. You will be able to get a ruddy dish and a brown-golden crust. The chefs also claim that with this cooking technology, you can make the product juicy and tender inside.
Broiling is great for steaks, fish dishes, as well as vegetables with a rigid structure. However, the products themselves are important. If you choose soft vegetables or dough, then you should not expect any crispy crust.
Also, professional chefs advise not to leave food in the broiler for a long time. So you will not be able to fry the dish enough until golden brown.
What are the best types of food to bake and broil?
Use baking only with certain foods. First of all, these are whole meat products like baked chicken, turkey, or pig. This technology of cooking will allow you to evenly bake all the meat inside.
Also, chefs advise using baking with pastries, dough, and bread. However, you should understand that this cooking technology is not suitable for hard foods. You will not be able to get a crispy crust from indirect heat on the products.
Broiling at the same time is the best technology of preparation for finely chopped products: vegetables and potato slices. Products with a hard texture are also well suited: steaks, chicken and vegetables (like asparagus and zucchini).
The main thing is not to use broiling for baking bread. Chefs consider this method of cooking the best for getting a crispy crust.
Health benefits of baking
Baking is one of the oldest ways of cooking. Our ancestors baked food on coals, in special wood-burning stoves, braziers and tandoors, and contemporaries do it in ovens, air grills, electric stoves and even in the heat of an ordinary campfire.
The baking tools have changed over time, but one thing remains unchanged – the taste, quality, and usefulness of the prepared food. Experts say that baking is a fairly healthy way of preparing products.
You do not use harmful oil, and there is also no direct heat exposure to the dish. Baking is a much better way to prepare for your health than deep-frying or grilling. When baking, the products retain the maximum amount of vitamins and useful properties.
Health benefits of broiling
Broiling is another relatively useful way of cooking food. The main advantage is the absence of additional fat. However, you will have to use a certain amount of harmful oil, which spoils the quality of the product.
Also, the American Institute for Cancer Research believes that broiling leads to an abundant release of carcinogens from meat. With regular use, it can worsen your health and exacerbate stomach problems.
Can I broil on aluminum foil?
Aluminum foil is a great helper in any kitchen. Firstly, this way you will save yourself from having to wash the baking tray. Also, the foil helps to keep warm and cook the product more evenly.
However, can you use it when broiling? Professional chefs claim that aluminum foil is perfect for a broil setting. There is a special two-tier broiler pan on which you can stack foil.
By placing it on the lower tier, you will save yourself from having to wash the dishes. You can also wrap hard foods with foil so that they are evenly cooked.
For example, place the steak on aluminum foil and cover with another sheet of foil on top to keep warm.
Bake or broil chicken
Cooking chicken is a process that requires attention and certain knowledge. The main difficulty lies in the tender chicken meat, which you can easily accidentally dry out. What kind of cooking technology should I choose – baking or broiling?
Professional chefs advise starting from the rigidity of the product and its size. If you want to cook a whole chicken, use baking. Here, exposure to indirect heat will be the best solution.
If you decide to cook small pieces of chicken, use broiling. Direct heat will fry the chicken pieces well and make them juicy and tender, as well as with a crispy crust.
Bake vs broil fish
Baked fish is a great alternative to fried fish. So you will get a delicious and delicate product with an excellent texture. However, what about broiling? You have to be very careful with this technology of preparation.
Fish has a soft structure, which is very easy to spoil the effect of direct heat. However, if you still choose broiling, reduce the cooking time of the fish. Only 5-7 minutes on each side will be enough.
Also use marinades to get the best result. However, choosing between baking and broiling, cooks advice to give preference to baking. This technology of preparation will make the texture of the fish perfect.Â
Bake or broil turkeyÂ
Turkey meat is delicious and healthy. For festive occasions and celebrations, cooks advise to bake the turkey whole in the oven.
For baking, you can add fillings with a variety of minced meat to the turkey, using fresh vegetables and spices. No less popular is the filling of apples, preferably sour varieties.
Boiled rice, couscous can also serve as a filling — usually in combination with dried fruits. To prepare salads by broiling, pre-boil the turkey fillet and cut it into small pieces. However, for tender turkey meat, baking in the oven will be the best option.
How to broil in oven without broiler
To bake a product, cooks most often use a broiler. However, there are cases when such an installation is not at hand. In this case, you can use a regular oven with a grill. Follow these steps:
- Check the grill in the oven for cleanliness. To remove dirt well, use detergent and a metal brush.
- Cover a baking sheet or baking dish with aluminum foil. This will help you keep the dishes clean.
- Place the baking tray on the bottom grill of the oven.
- Start cooking the dish by slightly opening the oven door to dissipate the effects of indirect heat.
Bake vs broil vs convection
Convection is the phenomenon of energy transfer by jets, large groups of liquids particles or gases. Most ovens are equipped with such heating elements.Infrared lighting helps to cook food quickly and efficiently.
Choosing between two cooking methods, broiling and baking method, do not forget about convection.This way baked goods will cook a few minutes faster.
The main thing is not to place the baking tray next to the heat source. So the food cooks without the chance of burning. High temperature in convection also destroys the structure of thicker cuts.
Following the cooking tips, do not use convection for pork chops or chicken breasts. The heating element will quickly destroy the structure of such products, and you will not get a delicious dish.
Baked turkey with apples recipeÂ
Baked turkey with apples is a great dish for an evening dinner. To make it, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- turkey fillet – 1 kg
- apples – 500 grams
- onion – 2 pieces
- tomato ketchup – 300 grams
- hard cheese – 100 grams
- vegetable oil – 100 ml
- salt and pepper – to taste
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Wash and dry the turkey fillet. Cut into portions, add salt and pepper.
- Peel the onion and cut it into half rings.
- Wash the apples, peel from the core, cut into slices.
- Heat the frying pan well with oil and fry the fillets quickly on both sides.
- In a large bowl, mix the fillets, apples, onions, and ketchup.
- Put all the ingredients in a heat-resistant mold. Pour the oil on top, in which the turkey was fried.
- Rub the cheese on top. Cover and bake for 60 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Broiled Fish Steak Recipe
Salmon steak broiled in mustard marinade will make a wonderful dinner. To cook it, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- salmon steak – 250 grams
- mustard – 2 tablespoons
- soy sauce – 2 tablespoons
- lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
- vegetable oil – 1 tablespoon
- pepper – to taste
Step-by-step technology of preparation:
- Therefore, defrost the fish steak at room temperature, peel off the scales. Rinse under running water and dry with a paper towel.
- For the marinade, mix the right amount of soy sauce, vegetable oil, lemon juice and mustard. Mix thoroughly.
- Put the salmon steak in the baking dish. Evenly distribute the marinade first on one side of the fish, then turning it over on the other. Leave the fish to marinate in the marinade for half an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the form with the fish in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Don’t forget to open the oven door a crack.Â
Baked vegetables recipe
When choosing cooking methods for vegetables, give preference to baking at high heat. Of course, you could use a broiling pan and cook at lower temperatures, but this way you can damage the structure of vegetables.
To make this recipe, prepare the necessary ingredients:
- garlic – 1 head
- eggplant – 1 pc.
- tomatoes – 2-3 pcs
- zucchini – 1 pc
- red onion – 2 pcs
- large champignons – 4 pcs
- olive oil – to taste
- salt and pepper – to taste
- thyme – a couple of twigs
- dijon mustard – 1/2 tsp
- soft cheese – 90 g
- sour cream – 1 tbsp
- parsley – to taste
Cooking process:
- Cut eggplant, tomatoes, onions into slices, and zucchini and champignons into slices. Wrap the garlic in foil and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Put all the vegetables in a baking dish.
- Spread thin cuts of zucchini, onions and champignons on top of a baking sheet. Sprinkle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and put thyme sprigs.
- Cover vegetables with foil. Cook time is 45-50 minutes. (before baking, you can quickly sear the vegetables). If you are using vegetables with a solid structure, place the baking tray on the top burner.
- Cook quickly the sauce. Crush the garlic into a bowl, add mustard, cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Verdict
You can choose absolutely different cooking technologies for your dishes. Each method of preparation has its pros and cons. You should pay attention to the size of the food, its structure and degree of rigidity.
You can install it in your kitchen broil setting or a usual oven. Just remember that baking works with soft foods, and baking with harder ones.
Choose the right cooking technology and cook amazing dishes!
1 comment
I choose broiling))