I has a toaster oven!

[Kael]

Rather unexpectedly. It wasn't all that high on my priority list for kitchen appliances, but I have been talking about having one for a few things, so my wife picked one up on the cheap as a surprise. She's pretty awesome like that. The only downside to this is, I don't currently have any of the few things I would definitely use it for. Hence this thread, where you all tell me the wonderful toasty treats I should make with my new toy!

[Caligulette]

Not toast, oddly enough, as it seems to take for-freakn'-ever in those things.

BUT - English Muffin Pizzas, yes. Nice, quick cheesy treats.

[S.Vashti]

sugar-free brownies. home made pizza. tuna-rice casserole. salmon patties. english muffins. two, and only two, cookies. barbeque chicken breasts. parmesan breaded chicken breasts. sweet potato fries. stuffed peppers.

[inland wave]

Originally Posted by Chris Porter

sugar-free brownies. home made pizza. tuna-rice casserole. salmon patties. english muffins. two, and only two, cookies. barbeque chicken breasts. parmesan breaded chicken breasts. sweet potato fries. stuffed peppers.

i
Your answer leads me to believe that you have had some experience with a toaster oven..

[livius drusus]

Seriously. The most I've ever done with a toaster oven is reheat things.

[Fencesitter]

Baked potatoes and broiled eggplant (not together).

You can make a couple baked potatoes in a toaster oven without heating up the oven which creates less heat in the house.

Most things that can be done in the oven can be done in a toaster oven on a smaller scale. They even have the smaller pans to fit in the toaster oven, like muffin tins, pizza stones and cookie sheets.

Heating up frozen tater tots or oven fries also works well.

Have fun with your new toy!

[Qingdai]

I got my mother to give one to chunksmediocrites for his birthday, because he was always toasting stuff in the oven. He hasn't let me forget it yet, and it's been over 5 years.

[Gonzo]

Baked potatoes rebaked with shredded cheese and bacon bits on top.

[wildernesse]

Here is the big rule for toaster ovens: CHEESE + [edible object]. I love our toaster oven, because I prefer re-heating leftovers in it to using the microwave.

The only bad thing about our particular toaster oven is that you can turn the timer on (for toasting things) and it will run even without being plugged in. Sooo, when you are half asleep or distracted, and put food in it, turn the timer to toasty, and then wait for it to bing, you come back and everything is still cold. AAAARRRRGGGG.

[S.Vashti]

Originally Posted by inland wave

i
Your answer leads me to believe that you have had some experience with a toaster oven..

Why yes, yes, I have. I have a small Oster toaster oven that I prefer to my oven, especially in the summer time. Uses less energy, and is great if you are just cooking for two people.

It's also good for grilled fresh salmon, hamburgers, and corn bread. It has heating elements top and bottom, and a fan for even heat distribution.

[seebs]

If it has a broil setting, cheese toast!

1. Take bread. (Optionally, toast it.)
2. Cover with sharp cheddar.
3. Broil until cheese is melty and bubbly and maybe crisping a bit.

We have a largeish toaster oven, I use it a TON to make pizzas.

[Janet]

Back when I could eat garlic I spent a summer pretty much living off garlic bread made in the toaster oven. I highly recommend it.

[livius drusus]

What happened to your garlic-eating abilities?

[Janet]

I hit my mid-thirties and like many women of Italian descent abruptly lost the ability to digest it. Happened to my mother at about the same age. It won't kill me, but it will make me wish it had. Good news is that pre-menopause has made it considerably better than it was. I'm still not up to eating garlic bread, though.

[livius drusus]

I've never heard of such a tragedy striking women in Italy. It must be all that mixin' of the nationalities that ruins your garlic gut.

[Kyuss Apollo]

Janet! My deepest condolences! :shakegarlic:

[lisarea]

Are you going to be a vampire now?

[Ymir's blood]

I use my toaster oven for pretty much anything the regular oven could be used for, except in smaller, single serving quantities. As has been said, it saves energy and pretty much eliminates the need for pre-heating. Toasted cheese sandwiches are great too.

A word of caution, however. Don't put it too close to the wall if you want to cook longer duration items such as baked potatoes. I had one scorch the wallpaper from the heat off the back. Also, don't put it on the same outlet as a microwave as it can kick the breaker.

[Ensign Steve]

The thing about toaster ovens, IME, is that what they are good for is for making toast with the stuff already on it, so the stuff gets heated, too. Like cinnamon toast or pizza bagels. Kroger has a Black and Decker on sale for less than $20 and I want it!

[livius drusus]

I too have felt the powerful draw of the toaster oven as well, but I have limited counter space and just can't cope with the idea of delegating a square foot of it in perpetuity to an appliance.

[Ensign Steve]

Hahaha! I have cabinets full of small appliances. Who the hell just leaves them out on the counter? That's on par with leaving dirty clothes on the floor to me.

[livius drusus]

Ovens, be they microwave or toaster, are widely used as countertop appliances because they tend to take up a lot of cabinet space, are a pain to move and are used every day (or at least regularly). Cabinets tend to be full of shit already; the counter, otoh, is often bare.

[ZEZOZE]

i like using the toaster oven to cook up frozen breaded things, like cutlets. to give them a fried flavour and make them crispy i cook them for the time mentioned on the box and just before i take them out i set the toaster to the lowest setting and toast them. sometimes i do it twice and i stop it when the edges turn a little brown. then let it cool down in the oven for a couple of minutes.

and that's what i use the toaster oven for. oh...and toast with cheese.

[Vivisectus]

Get yourself a nice melting-cheese, like a Monterey Jack and add some nice Habanero chillies, chopped fine and spread out, sliced peppers, red onion, and sliced cherry tomatoes. Melt this on top of some nice french bread, or on a layer of tortilla chips. The chillies give a nice pleasant heat but won't blow your head off. If head-blowage is your thing, subsitute scotch bonnets for the habaneros. It is a really pleasant watching-the-match snack.

[Ensign Steve]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Cabinets tend to be full of shit already;

Now you're just being mean!