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Using the oven
For the cooking of cakes Pre-heat the oven, unless indicated differently, for at least 10 minutes before use. Do not open the oven door when cooking dishes which must raise (e.g. raised pastries and soufflés); the jet of cold air would block the raising process. To check if cakes are cooked, insert a toothpick into the mixture; if it comes out clean the cake is ready. Wait until at least 3/4 of the cooking time has passed before doing this check. As a general rule remember that: a dish which is well-cooked on the outside but not sufficiently cooked inside would have required a lower temperature and longer cooking time. On the contrary, a �dry� texture would have required a shorter time and higher cooking temperature. For the cooking of meat Meat to be cooked in the oven should weigh at least 1 kilo to avoid its becoming too dry. If you want roasts with a good colour, use very little oil. If the piece is lean, use oil or butter or a little of both. Butter or oil are on the other hand unnecessary if the piece has a strip of fat. If the piece has a strip of fat on one side only, put it in the oven with this side upwards; when melting the fat will grease the lower side sufficiently. Red meat should be removed from the fridge one hour before cooking otherwise the sudden change of temperature could cause it to become tough. A roast, especially if of red meat, must not be salted at the beginning of cooking as salt causes juices and blood to seep out of the meat, thus preventing the formation of a well-browned crust. It is advisable to salt the outside of the meat after just over half the cooking time. Place the roast in the oven in a dish having a low rim; a deep dish shields heat. Meat can be placed on an ovenproof dish or directly on the grill, under which the dripping pan will be inserted to collect juice. Ingredients for gravy should only be put in the dish immediately if cooking time is brief, otherwise they should be added during the last half hour. Begin cooking rare meat at a high temperature, reducing the temperature to finish cooking the inside. The cooking temperature for white meat can be moderate throughout. The degree of cooking can be checked by pressing the meat with a fork; if it does not give the meat is cooked. At the end of cooking it is advisable to wait at least 15 minutes before cutting the meat in order that the juices are not lost. Before serving plates can be kept warm in the oven at minimum temperature. For the cooking of fish: Cook small fish from start to finish at a high temperature. Cook medium-sized fish initially at a high temperature and then gradually lower the temperature. Cook large fish at a moderate temperature from start to finish. Check that baked fish is cooked by gently lifting one side of the gut; the meat must be white and opaque throughout, except in the case of salmon, trout or similar. Grilling The following types of meat are suitable for grilling. Mostly meat or offal cut in slices or pieces of various sizes, but not usually very thick, poultry cut in half and flattened, fish, some vegetables (e.g. courgettes, aubergines, tomatoes, etc.), skewers of meat or fish and seafood. Meat and fish to be grilled should be lightly brushed with oil and always placed on the grill; meat should be salted upon completion of cooking; whereas fish should be salted on the inside before cooking. The grill should be positioned in the guides nearest or furthest from the grill element according to the thickness of the meat, in order to avoid burning the surface and cooking the inside insufficiently. The formation of smoke caused by drops of juice and fat can be avoided by pouring l or 2 glasses of water into the dripping pan. The grill can also be used to brown, toast bread and grill certain types of fruit, such as bananas, halved grapefruit, slices of pineapple, apples, etc. Fruit should not be placed too near the source of heat.
Cooking times
Cooking times can vary according to the type of food, its consistency and its volume. It is advisable to watch when cooking for the first time and check results since when preparing the same dishes, in the same conditions, similar results are obtained. The times given in the Cooking table are intended as a guide only. Only experience will enable you to determine the correct setting to suit your personal requirements. Nevertheless carefully follow the indications given in the receipe you intend to follow. Attention: do not place any utensils such as dripping pan, cake tins, casseroles, pyrex dishes, aluminium foil or other on the base of the oven when the oven is in use. A stagnation of heat would result which would compromise the results of cooking and could damage the oven enamel.
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