Make a Roast, Not Just Toast!

Date: 14th October 2022

Author: Laura Dodwell-Groves

Did you know that your toaster oven is capable of much more than cheese toasties?

Space is a common nemesis in Hong Kong kitchens, and many apartments will not come with an in-built oven.

Enter the toaster oven, the hero of our story. Let us name it Toven. Often relegated to repetitive tasks, Toven yearns to be able to do more than melt your cheese. Toven knows it is small, but don’t let that put you off. Cheap and energy efficient and quick to heat up (only taking a couple of minutes to reach 220°C (425°F).

I have diligently measured Toven and told my butcher my size limitations. The 500g beef fillet has arrived beautifully trussed up. I gently rub it with salt and pepper and oil and in it goes. Even room for a few small potatoes. Toven has never looked so small.

Like an anxious teenager waiting for my crush to call, I am checking the temperature far more frequently than is necessary. Some sexy toaster ovens come with thermometers or probes built in. Toven doesn’t (shh, don’t hurt its feelings its working hard right now, the handheld one is doing just fine).

At exactly 28 mins I think we might be there. Internal temp of 50°C. Toven probably screaming: “I told you! I told you I could do it! Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I can’t.’’

If anything, I let Toven down a bit – I under seasoned and the potatoes needed a bit longer – but easy to rectify for next time. (I might even try do the potatoes in the microwave).

Much to Toven’s disappointment, we are back to cheese toasties in the morning, as I try to prepare myself for the growing ambition: scallops, lamb cutlets, pork belly (with crackling!). The only limit is my imagination!

And Toven’s internal dimensions.

Some helpful tips for roasting in a toaster oven:

• Helps if toaster oven has a convection function, can reduce cooking times and help it cook consistently, but not a deal breaker
• Using a rack rather than placing it directly on the tray might help if you have the room but still keep a tray underneath to catch the drips.
• Each toaster oven is different, but even the cheap and cheerful ones usually come with a little recipe guide or some recommended cooking times. See what yours can do.