Baking
Caramel-Pecan Sticky Rolls
Baking temperature is reduced when baking these gooey rolls, but the baking time remains about the same as in a conventional oven. The advantage of convection? The rolls are moist and delicious, not doughy.
Basic Sweet Dough for Yeast Coffee Cakes and Rolls
This is an easy refrigerator dough method, which requires no kneading. Once refrigerated for 2 to 24 hours, it is easy to shape and bake a number of different ways. These breads are rich with special ingredients, which will all brown quickly while baking. So, the baking temperature must be lower than that of conventional ovens while the baking time remains about the same. You’ll be delighted with the moist crumb; because the crust is formed early in the baking, it locks in moisture.
Cinnamon-Raisin Bread with Walnuts
Cinnamon perfumes the air as this loaf bakes. This not-too-sweet wheat bread is a perfect match for aged sharp Cheddar. This dense loaf bakes beautifully in the convection oven at a lower temperature than you’d expect.
Sesame Egg Braid
This light-textured loaf is showy in a buffet. This is a batter bread, easy to stir up, no kneading involved. It bakes quickly in the convection oven.
Classic White Bread
Perfect for sandwiches, toast in the morning, or the evening bread basket, this bread is a basic in a home bread baker’s repertoire. I prefer to bake it in free-form rounds, but it is just as good baked in a loaf pan.
Swedish Rye Bread
This is a favorite bread, especially in the Midwest, where many people have Scandinavian roots.
Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Here’s another favorite country bread that includes honey and eggs. The baking temperature is reduced in the convection oven although the baking time remains the same.
Rosemary Breadsticks
These breadsticks bake to golden crispness in the convection oven, and are a fun project to do with kids.
Crusty French Bread
If you’re a home baker who is interested in making crusty French bread, you will be pleased with the results when you bake the bread in a convection oven. Remember it is also important to have steam in the oven. I keep a pan of river rocks on the bottom rack in my oven and preheat them right along with the oven itself. For added crustiness I place a baking stone or unglazed tiles on the center rack in the oven. The tiles help to maintain an even, hot heat and to stabilize the oven temperature. I place the loaves on a dark, noninsulated rimless cookie sheet. Spraying water on the rocks creates a burst of steam essential for creating a crusty crust.
No-Knead Rustic Round Loaf
This is the kind of loaf I like to have hot out of the oven to tear apart and dip in a brothy country-style soup. It’s crusty with large, bubbly holes. For the best flavor, use the overnight method. For the fastest results follow the same-day method. Note that there are two different methods for baking the bread. The crustiest loaf is achieved with Baking Method #1. However, lacking the tiles and rocks, Baking Method #2 is a good alternative.
Cheese Soufflé
Baked in the convection oven, this soufflé rises high and is almost noncollapsible. However, you’d still better have the table set and be ready to eat when the soufflé is done because it won’t stay puffed forever!
Roasted Vegetable Tart with Gorgonzola and Parmesan
Serve small wedges as an appetizer or large wedges for a vegetarian main dish.
Dilled Salmon Soufflé
Perfect for lunch or brunch, this is a classic soufflé that begins with a thick cream sauce. It bakes in the convection oven in about one-third the time of a conventional oven, although at the same temperature.
Classic Quiche Lorraine
The quiche originated in Alsace-Lorraine, in northeastern France. It’s a pastry shell filled with a savory custard of eggs, cream, and other ingredients. Quiche Lorraine always includes crisp bacon with optional cheese. Of course, there are many ways to vary this basic recipe and a few ideas follow. In the convection oven, the temperature is reduced by 25 to 50 degrees and the baking time is reduced as well.
Mozzarella Tomato Tart
This simple tart, a little like a quiche, is perfect as a first course or snack. Add a salad to the menu and it can star as the main dish.
Melted Onion Tart with Parmesan
Onions, sliced and cooked in the convection oven, literally melt into sweetness. Here the melted onions are baked in a rich custard, flavored with Parmesan, and cradled in a flaky pastry. This is terrific for a special occasion.
One Basic Dough and Eight Pizzas
For pizza lovers, here are eight varieties to choose from. The basic dough makes two pizzas. The dough is easy to mix in the food processor.
Rosemary Focaccia with Onions, Black Olives, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This focaccia adds onions, olives, and dried tomatoes to the top. Cut into bite-sized pieces, it’s a great appetizer. The dough mixes most easily in a food processor.
Four-Cheese Stuffed Focaccia
This delicious flat bread is great cut into 1- to 2-inch squares and served as an appetizer or cut into larger squares to accompany soups and salads. You can create tasty variations by trying different cheese combinations, such as Cheddar, Swiss, or Monterey Jack, or by changing the herbs to oregano and parsley, or chives and shallots.