GADGET Gourmet
A toaster oven helps you keep your cool and cook more quickly, too.
A HOT SUMMER DAY is no time to be turning on your oven, especially if you’re cooking for just one or two.
That’s when a toaster oven comes in handy. Several readers have told us how much they rely on this compact oven… and not just during the summer. Sallie Hall of Columbia, South Carolina wrote, “I use it more than my oven. I’ve found that the pans I ordered with my toaster oven work very well for two.”
Most models bake, toast and broil. If you want more bells and whistles, you can find convection-style toaster ovens with features such as continuous cleaning and electronic digital controls. The Euro-Pro Toaster Oven shown above comes with a baking tray, crumb tray, wire rack and tongs.
A toaster oven can bake small casseroles, make tuna melts, reheat pizza, broil steaks, toast bagels and much more. And the convection feature allows you to roast chicken or bake a cake.
Keep these tips in mind when using your toaster oven:
- - Don’t overfill the oven. Make sure air can move around inside and outside.
- - Because the toaster oven is smaller than a full-size oven, cooking times will generally be shorter.
- - Wipe any spills or splatters after each use to keep the oven clean. Empty the crumb tray regularly.
BUTTERY Crab Bites
These cheesy, buttery bites from Rebecca Y., of Pleasant Hill, Missouri are easy but elegant. They’re great as an appetizer
or just for snacking.