Sunday, May 26, 2013

I Have Discovered the Broiler

One of the problems with a chronic illness is that it leaves you very, very drained of energy. I've consistently struggled with cooking after a long day of work, because I just lack the energy or ability to spend much time standing at the stove.

Recently I decided to try out the broiler function on my stove, and it's life-changing. Fish in 8 minutes! Crispy vegetables! Perfectly made polenta! It's like something out of an infomercial and it was already in my kitchen.

The current favorite dish is crispy zucchini, which I happened on after buying 5 zucchini for a dollar.

1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
pepper
1 zucchini
olive oil

1. Grease an 8x8 baking dish or cast iron skillet. (I use the skillet.)
2. Slice the zucchini into 1/4" rounds and arrange in a single layer in the pan.
3. Mix together the parmesan and panko, adding pepper to taste.
4. Drizzle the zucchini with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle the panko mixture over the zucchini.
5. Broil until the panko is browned; about 6 minutes. Serve immediately.

The crunch factor on this is amazing. It seems to go with almost everything we eat, and I've been serving it alongside a meat and vegetable instead of pasta, rice or potatoes most evenings. It's even become a last minute snack a few times. The panko Parmesan mixture also holds its own as a breading for fish and meat as well.

2 comments:

  1. I haven't used the broiler yet... but I do love the oven (I make a lot of panko-crusted cod and roasted rainbow carrots/parsnips). Do you plan on using the oven in the summer when it gets really hot outside?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have in the past, because our apartment was large enough that it was heated/cooled on zones. I'd cook in the kitchen and we'd spend our day in the bedroom, where I'd run the A/C with the door shut.

      We're looking at moving to a studio, though, so that may force me to reconsider.

      Delete