Posted by Regan Burns
Even though I've worked in professional kitchens (and should therefore know better), I still like to imagine that top chefs go home and cook fine cuisine for their families -- their children nibbling daintily on delicate toast points with foie gras, while the rest of us are scrambling to make a grilled cheese. Not so!
On his blog, world-renowned chef Eric Ripert of New York City's Le Bernardin restaurant, has launched a series of videos called "Get Toasted," all about preparing meals in the humble toaster oven.
"...people keep asking me how I began cooking using this method," says the chef, "The answer is simple...at home, we find it is the easiest way to prepare meals for our 5 year old son. Cooking a smaller amount of food in a toaster oven makes more sense than using the regular big oven."
Wow! Chefs are time-starved parents looking for efficient dinner solutions just like us? Amazing.
True, he's not baking up a Bisquick casserole in his (slightly pricey) Cuisinart Brick Oven toaster -- the recipes are still pretty upscale. But I can get behind his Herb-Roasted Chicken Tenders, and can easily imagine myself whipping up Caramelized Mango with Rum in the same amount of time it takes to heat up a regular-sized oven. It's no secret that we've been lovin' the toaster oven for a while here at Everyday Food! Now I'm not saying that Chef Ripert is stealing our ideas or anything, but well, see for yourself...
THE RECIPES:
Breakfast Sandwich
Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken
Tex-Mex Chicken with Peppers
Pizza Crackers
Steak Salad with Spinach
Is Foie Gras still legal in this country? If so, shame on us!
Posted by: Melissa | July 05, 2008 at 02:30 PM
The toaster oven is my favorite appliance in my kitchen (um, aside from the panini press :-))! Heats quickly, without making food gummy like the microwave - I use it almost every day. Thanks for letting us know about the series!
Posted by: PaniniKathy | July 05, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Great idea! I always forget to use the toaster oven, but it's such a lifesaver on super hot days, or when you just want to quickly toast a sandwich.
Posted by: Teresa | July 06, 2008 at 05:49 PM