Table-top halogen ovens

Lilyplonk

I'd be cooking your chicken in the halogen - on the low rack - as you planned.

When the chicken is cooked, I'd put the stuffing in the halogen and cook that for around 20mins. That way the chicken can have some 'resting time' so that carving it will be a bit easier. It can fall apart straight from the halogen .

I believe that yorkies done in the halogen are supposed to be absolutely delicious - have seen the demonstrated on IdealWorld - but my OH doesn't like - them so I don't bother.

Not sure if you could do stuffing on the low rack with the yorkies on the higher rack - you'd have to check with your manual .......................


The potatoes and carrots could go in the microwave - cut the carrots into 'rounds/slices'. Do you have any microwave-able dishes with lids, or clingfilm to cover the dishes with? I love carrots done in the microwave - so tasty :drool:.


If you have a pan steamer, you could do the potatoes and carrots at the same time on the small hob - but you might have to make sure that the carrots are cut quite thin to make sure that they're cooked through.


How are you planning to do your gravy? Are you OK doing it 'from scratch' or using gravy granules. As it's your first experience of making a roast dinner, you've got enough to think about with your timings - personally speaking, I'd say that nobody would blame you for using granules and experiment with 'gravy from scratch' on another occasion.

If it IS granules, use the water from cooking the potatoes and carrots as it'll help to add flavour - if necessary, re-heat the gravy in the microwave just before serving up.


Good Luck! - I well remember my own first attempt at a roast chicken dinner - many, many years ago, but a very daunting experience at the time .

wiggywoo9

Thanks, I am using granules so that should be easier. Will the potatoes/carrots be ok in the microwave, won't they be hard? And how long for? Thank you!

Lilyplonk

As it's 'pearl potatoes' - I'd cut them into halves to allow a cut surface to be able to be 'steamed/boiled'. You don't need 'the veggies swimming in water' for cooking - I usually only use a fairly small amount - just keep an eye on it to make sure they don't go dry on you.

I use Pyrex Dishes for the microwave and find that if I do the potatoes for around 10mins then take them out and let them stand; then put the carrots in and do those for around 10mins and let them stand also.

As you take the carrots out - test the potatoes by prodding a couple with a fork - they could need a bit more time.

IF they need a bit more time, put them back in again and give the carrots a prod with a fork to see if they also need extra time.


Much of it depends on how many potatoes (and carrots) you're cooking at any one time - the more you cook, the longer the cooking time.

You can always leave the cooked veg in the dishes, in the water, as your chicken will be 'doing its thing' in the halogen - giving them both a final ping just before you're ready to serve up.

krlyr

Having managed with just a combination microwave for the last year and a bit, I know all about trying to cook a roast with limited space!
If you want yorkshires (we often just skip them as OH isn't that fussed anyway) I suggest pre-making them and you can just pop them in the halogen to warm through, rather than trying to fit them in with everything else and still leave room for them to rise. I've made a bunch of individual yorkshires (actually popped to my nan's to cook them as my muffin tin doesn't fit in the microwave oven) and frozen them so for the next roast I'll pop them in for about 5 mins to warm through.
Ditto with stuffing - I actually make up the balls from the dry stuffing mix and freeze at that stage, but know several people cook it then freeze, so it just needs warming through on the day.
The potatoes go in the microwave oven on top (got a couple of square dishes that just about fit!), then after 20 mins the chicken breasts go underneath. Stuffing goes in five minutes later, and I imagine if I've defrosted the yorkshire puddings, I could get away with just taking everything out and chucking the yorkies in solo in the oven while I dish up, leaving it off (while it's still hot in there).
Veggies done on the hob then the water used for the gravy.

Means that a roast isn't really an option when we have guests but plenty of other meals we can offer!

prowla

Curious - I replied to this and it disappeared!

wiggywoo9

Hi prowla, what did you write?

I've made gravy and stuffing in mug/bowl. I've peeled carrots and chopped and put in microwavable container, ready. I'll swap the carrots for potatoes later. I've put chicken- should I turn it over? It seems very dry on top, so I put a little gravy over it. There's no oil or anything?
I don't know how to get the chicken OUT however, as the tray that came with cooker puts very snugly inside and its very hot once done.
But I'll put in the yorks puds afterwards. I have to get peas out later to microwave too.
But I finally made gravy without lumps!!
And I have a cheesecake out

prowla

I pretty much said what Lilyplonk did.

(Also, you can get standalone electric steamers.)

SandA

I may become a halogen oven convert. The house I live in is rented and the gas oven is poor, it doesn't cook meat properly. Chickens are always done in the middle but the legs are always still raw. Pizzas end up burnt at the bottom because the flame is at the bottom of the oven.

I am thinking a JML one since it comes with a lid holder. Although I have read a fair few pages of this thread and seen people complaining about the bulbs or elements going after a short time.

Can anyone recommend a long life halogen oven? preferably with something to put the lid on, or with a lid on hinges.

Thanks

nmm

Futher to my post above, my oven died on wednesday it was a JML one, so i went looking for the best halogen oven and everywhere recommend the Andrew James one. Theres a review site here. It comes with loads of extras plus a spare bulb and a 2 year warranty. They also sell the bulbs at £9.99 on their website. I ordered it in black it was dispatched thu arrived fri clicky i have no affiliation with them just very happy not to be without my oven My JML one lasted 2 and a half years, not sure if thats good or bad for a halogen?

SandA

Looks great, thank you.

The only thing I wonder with these is how you are meant to wash the lid?