Baking in Your Combi Steam Oven With Chef Teresa Cutter

Baking In Your Combi Steam Oven with Chef, Teresa Cutter

With my new cookbook, Feel Good Baking, I’m thrilled to share my journey of healthy baking! As a chef dedicated to nurturing both body and soul with food, I believe great baking starts with quality ingredients and the right tools. The combi steam oven is an essential element in enhancing your baking experience. Here are my top tips to help you create delicious breads, cakes, and desserts with exceptional results.

Traditional Fan-Forced & Steam: The Dynamic Duo of Baking

The combi steam oven is a game-changer. By combining fan-forced heat with steam it delivers bakery-quality results at home. Fan-forced heat circulates even heat distribution, essential for cakes, pastries, and breads. I often use the fan-forced setting at 160°C for consistent cake baking.

The steam function is where the magic happens. It helps retain moisture, crucial for breads and pastries, creating a crisp crust while keeping the inside soft. I recommend experimenting with different ratios of fan-forced heat and steam depending on what you’re baking. For instance, with bread, I’ll use a higher steam ratio at the start to help with the rise and texture, then switch to fan-forced towards the end to achieve that crisp, beautiful finish.

Preheating and Loading: The Foundation of Success

Always preheat your oven to the correct temperature before baking. This prevents temperature fluctuations that can lead to uneven results and ensures your baked goods rise beautifully.

When loading the oven, space items evenly on the trays for proper air circulation. If baking multiple cakes, place the trays in the middle of the oven for optimal heat distribution, and rotate them for even cooking. Never set and forget, and always set a timer.

Maximising Your Oven’s Multi-Level Cooking Potential

One of the combi steam oven’s best features is its ability to cook multiple trays simultaneously, saving you time and perfect for meal prep. However, remember that additional trays may require slight adjustments to temperature or baking time for the best results.

Quality Ingredients: The Secret to Truly Exceptional Bakes

While the combi steam oven is exceptional, quality ingredients are essential. Start with high-quality butter, olive oil, and premium flour for the best flavor and texture. I love using Lurpak butter for its creamy taste and often opt for spelt flour for its lower gluten content and nutty flavor. Investing in fresh eggs or pure vanilla extract also enhances flavor and texture.

Feel Good Baking: A Healthy Approach to Baking

In Feel Good Baking, I focus on nourishing baked goods that taste amazing. With recipes catering to gluten-free, low-sugar, and plant-based diets, this book is designed for health-conscious cooks. Available at all leading bookstores.

With these tips and Baking Guide; you’re on your way to mastering delightful baking creations! Happy Baking!