Summer Convection Meals        Convection Broiling and Grilling        Appetizers        Dishwasher 101        Convection Steam Oven Meals        Cuisine La Cornue        Cucina Bertazzoni        Cooking with the CornuFé Recipes and Meal Plans - Summer 08 The two cooking styles most popular during the summer months involve high heat and virtually no heat. High heat grilling brings out terrific flavor in food and is a great complement to summer’s bounty of fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits; the ingredients for creating fabulous salads and side dishes with virtually no cooking. Grilled foods make a perfect pairing with summer salads and, while outdoor grilling offers many advantages, you may be surprised at the options your appliances can offer for successful indoor grilling. Convection Broiling – The direct heat from the powerful broil element provides fabulous searing, while the circulating Convection heat ensures moisture retention and cuts down on splattering. The catalytic converter in self-cleaning ovens does a terrific job of absorbing smoke, grease and particulate matter, while the excellent insulation in the oven doors keeps them cool to the touch. Convection Broiling Tips Place the oven rack one level down from the top to ensure the food does not come too close to the broil element. Broil marbled cuts of meat and skin-on chicken on a traditional 2-piece broil pan that will shield the dripping fat from the broil element. Vegetables, fish, shrimp and skinless chicken breasts can be broiled on a rimmed baking sheet. Indoor BBQ’s – The indoor BBQ’s available from Gaggenau, La Cornue and Thermador each provide unique options for grilling indoors. Gaggenau BBQ – Two independent heating elements provide separate zones for high-heat and offset grilling. The heating elements sit close to the grates enabling the grill to heat extremely quickly while the sizzle from lava rocks adds that special “oh-so-yummy” grilled flavor. Gaggenau Teppan Yaki Grill – This solid plate Japanese-style grill provides a different style of grilling and so much more. The Teppan Yaki can be used for high heat direct grilling of thinly sliced meats, poultry, fish and vegetables, but also for making quesadillas, breakfast treats and appetizers. La Cornue – The powerful open flame 14,500 BTU gas grill provides exquisite searing while the lava rocks catch the drippings ensuring great flavor retention. This is outdoor grilling at it’s finest with the convenience of remaining in the kitchen. Thermador E-Grill – The solid aluminum ridged grill plate coated in titanium gives great BBQ results with minimal mess. The grill plate can be wiped clean with a wet cloth or washed in the dishwasher. The raised ridges provide great grill marks while allowing any marinade to drip away without flare-ups or excessive smoking. Indoor BBQ Tips Always turn on your overhead ventilation before you turn on the grill. Begin with a low speed to establish air-flow, then when the grill is hot and you are ready to cook, turn it to a higher setting to absorb the smoke and grease. Allow the grill sufficient time to heat before you begin cooking. Use dry herb rubs to flavor and tenderize meats rather than sticky marinades. Brush glazes or sauces onto the meat for the last ten minutes of cooking time for great flavor with less mess to clean-up. Cleaning lava rock grills – Set the ventilation fan and the grill to their highest settings to burn off any residue and clean the grates with a wire BBQ brush. Use grill wipes to keep the cast iron grates well seasoned and free of debris. Gaggenau Teppan Yaki Grill – When the plate cools, wipe it clean with a little acidulated water (use either lemon juice or white vinegar). White terrycloth bar towels work well for this process. Thermador E-Grill – Wipe the grill clean with some warm water and wash the catch tray in the dishwasher. If heavily soiled, the grill can be removed and washed in the dishwasher. Summer Convection Meals – Another great way to stay cool while cooking dinner on hot summer days is to cook a complete meal in your Convection oven. Convection meals can be quickly prepared and take only 35 - 45 minutes to cook, leaving you free to relax outside the kitchen. Convection Broiling and Grilling – These delicious summer meals are easy to assemble and fast to cook, however to maximize the flavors of broiled and grilled foods; plan to season them in advance. Recipes in this section will serve 4 people. Appetizers – Get the party off to a great start and take the stress out of entertaining with these easy delicious appetizers. Additional Recipes Dishwasher 101 Convection Steam Oven Meals Cuisine La Cornue Cucina Bertazzoni Cooking with the CornuFé [Return to Top]