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Its that time of year again when you gotta take a holiday after the holiday!
Its tricky to get the balance right when youre cooking a feast of different dishes.
You might also be interested in5 kitchen gadgets to help you avoid a Christmas dinner disaster.
Make a timeline of what dishes need to go in the oven and when.
Consider cooking or prepping some items the day before to avoid overcrowding your oven on the big day.
The more you could free up your oven for the main event, the smoother your day will go.
Not preheating the oven
One of the most overlooked issues is not preheating the oven.
It sounds simple, but skipping it can derail your entire game plan, says Audet.
Cold ovens lead to uneven cooking, especially for baked goods or anything requiring a crisp finish.
Not leaving enough space for air to circulate
Be aware that an overfilled oven will not get hot enough.
Neglecting rack placement will also have a big impact on your results.
Bond describes them as prime real estate and to use them wisely.
Arrange racks so you’ve got the option to cook multiple dishes at once.
Using the wrong temperature configs
Dont forget about your ovens temperature configs.
Knowing when to tweak the tweaks can save you from an overcooked disaster or a raw center.
Keep a burner free for last-minute gravy adjustments or reheating, says Audet.
Remove any off-flavors or aromas and clean out your broiler, he says.
While Audet strongly recommends wiping up spills whilst you cook.
Now, she makes sure to keep a damp cloth handy to deal with spills as they happen.
Don’t forget to clean up after the event too.
and to spray the cavity generously.
For tough grease, place damp kitchen towels over the cleaner to lock in moisture.
Wipe away the grime, and your oven will shine like new!
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