DESIGNED TO PERFECTION
Cooking Pizza
For the best results when cooking pizza use the Lower and Upper Heat Element function (Convection) and the
lowest oven shelf position.
Preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes.
Use a non-stick pizza pan, ideally one with holes in the base specifically for pizza cooking.
Do not open the oven door frequently while the pizza is cooking.
If the pizza has a lot of toppings (three of four), it is recommended that the mozzarella cheese be
placed on top halfway through the cooking process. Remember the best pizzas are made with a less
is best method when choosing the topping ingredients.
Check the base is crispy by lifting the pizza pan from the oven with a heatproof glove and lifting the
pizza with an oven slide to look at the pizza base. Return to oven if further cooking is required.
Grilling
Cooking times may vary according to the nature of the foods, their homogeneity and their volume. When
cooking a certain food for the first time, it is advisable to choose the lowest temperature and then increase
temperature as required.
When using the griller functions on the top oven – adjust the shelf position as required for the best results.
As a guide the grill functions have an average temperature of 200
C when the top oven door is closed
during grilling.
Roasting Meat, Cooking Chicken and Fish
Ideally, meat should be at least 1Kg or more when roasting in order to prevent it from drying out.
When cooking white meat, poultry and fish, use temperature settings (180°C-220°C).
For red meat that should be well done on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside, it is a good
idea to start with a high temperature setting (200°C-220°C) for a short time, then turn the oven down
afterwards and finish off.
When larger cuts of meat, poultry or fish have finished cooking, ideally remove the food from the
oven and cover with foil and stand for 10-20 minutes (depending on size). This will help retain the
juices when the meat is carved.
When cooking large whole fish 1kg or larger it is recommended that the flesh be scored or slashed 2-
3 times on either side to assist in more even cooking. To do this cut into the thick fish flesh behind the
head through to the bone. These scored areas also allow you to check easily to see if the fish is
cooked.
It is a good idea to either measure the inside of your oven for width and either write this down in a
book you may have with you when shopping or you can cut a piece of string the oven width. This
makes it easier to know if your fish will fit into the oven. Looks can be deceiving and the fish looks so
much better whole with its head and tail. If it doesn’t fit you will probably need to remove the head
prior to baking.
Cakes and Baking
Organize the oven shelves while the oven is cold and before preparing a recipe. When baking follow the
directions in the recipe however if in doubt, as a general rule, the food (e.g. cake) is positioned on a shelf
that will have the top of the cake surface as near to the centre of the oven as possible. However when using
the top oven the only position for cakes and baking is on the shelf position 1.
Preheat oven before preparing the cake or baked items as some baked food should not sit waiting for
the oven to reach the required temperature. For best results the baked food should go straight into
the preheated oven at the correct temperature.
Use kitchen baking paper to line cake tins and baking trays for cookies and roast vegetables such as
pumpkin.
When making cakes have eggs at room temperature.
When making sponge cakes don’t tap the beaters on the side of the bowl when the beating is
complete as this will knock out precious air you have just spent time adding. Remove the beaters
from the hand mixer and tap them over the edge of your open palm to knock any remaining cake
mix into the bowl below.
15
