Search Results for 'Steam'

Why Baking Bread at Home is Easier Than You Think

If you believe that nothing is more satisfying than a home-baked loaf, we’d have to agree. But the perfect crust can be hard to master without full control over your proving, baking and moisture processes. So we’ve got some tips and tricks up our sleeve to help you nail your homemade bread recipe – every time. With the Dough Prove, Steam jet and Bread Baking settings on a NEFF oven, there’s very little room for fault. Instead, you’ll have family members of all ages reaching across for a warm, fluffy slice of bread in no time at all – no complicated processes or stress required. Pick your bread recipe, add some more sophisticated flavours if you’d like to experiment, and follow these foolproof tips: You don’t need to knead too much The secret to a light, fluffy crumb? Don’t over-knead your dough. If you’re using an electric mixer, make sure you use a dough hook on medium speed – only until your dough feels springy to the touch. When manually kneading, some extra flour on the workbench will help avoid sticking. If kneading is not your style, try our no knead bread recipe. The proof is in the proving Proving is the first essential stage of the rising process, giving the yeast time to ferment, swell and aerate your loaf before any real baking has taken place. You can simply leave your dough to rest in a warm place (such as a warming drawer or the bench of a hot kitchen) for a few hours, kneading gently at intervals, or the Dough Prove setting in in your NEFF oven can control this step for you. Select “Dough Prove” level one, follow the recipe’s instructions about switching racks, and watch your dough double in size. This NEFF oven setting provides warm, moist air, turning the oven into an optimal climate zone without unwanted drafts, thus creating the ideal conditions for yeast dough to rise. Inject steam into your bake Now you’re ready to bring your loaf to life. Don’t remove your dough from the oven after proving – simply select Bread Baking, set to 220°C, turn the steam injection levels on your Added Steam oven or use steam inject feature to manually inject steam to your dough during the baking process, and bake for 30 minutes. The increased moisture produces a soft, delicate crumb with a glossy crust – giving you perfect bread every time. To find out more about our added steam function, click here. Let it rest It can be tempting to tuck right into a loaf out the oven but cutting the bread when it’s cooled for around 20 minutes makes for a much cleaner slice. But if you just can’t resist, we understand… Looking for recipes? Here are our favourites: Irish Soda Bread Banana bread Cheesy pull apart bread Japanese Milk Bread Naan bread Bagels To learn more about NEFF steam ovens for your kitchen, book a FREE cooking demonstration with a NEFF specialist. About NEFF  NEFF is a German-engineered kitchen appliance brand, with a product range that includes ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, coffee machines and dishwashers designed to make life in the kitchen a daily pleasure. For people who love to cook, NEFF gives you the tools to create meaningful connections, express your creativity and make memories. Because real life happens in the kitchen.

Why Baking Bread at Home is Easier Than You Think

If you believe that nothing is more satisfying than a home-baked loaf, we’d have to agree. But the perfect crust can be hard to master without full control over your proving, baking and moisture processes. So we’ve got some tips and tricks up our sleeve to help you nail your homemade bread recipe – every time. With the Dough Prove, Steam jet and Bread Baking settings on a NEFF oven, there’s very little room for fault. Instead, you’ll have family members of all ages reaching across for a warm, fluffy slice of bread in no time at all – no complicated processes or stress required. Pick your bread recipe, add some more sophisticated flavours if you’d like to experiment, and follow these foolproof tips: You don’t need to knead too much The secret to a light, fluffy crumb? Don’t over-knead your dough. If you’re using an electric mixer, make sure you use a dough hook on medium speed – only until your dough feels springy to the touch. When manually kneading, some extra flour on the workbench will help avoid sticking. If kneading is not your style, try our no knead bread recipe. The proof is in the proving Proving is the first essential stage of the rising process, giving the yeast time to ferment, swell and aerate your loaf before any real baking has taken place. You can simply leave your dough to rest in a warm place (such as a warming drawer or the bench of a hot kitchen) for a few hours, kneading gently at intervals, or the Dough Prove setting in in your NEFF oven can control this step for you. Select “Dough Prove” level one, follow the recipe’s instructions about switching racks, and watch your dough double in size. This NEFF oven setting provides warm, moist air, turning the oven into an optimal climate zone without unwanted drafts, thus creating the ideal conditions for yeast dough to rise. Inject steam into your bake Now you’re ready to bring your loaf to life. Don’t remove your dough from the oven after proving – simply select Bread Baking, set to 220°C, turn the steam injection levels on your Added Steam oven or use steam inject feature to manually inject steam to your dough during the baking process, and bake for 30 minutes. The increased moisture produces a soft, delicate crumb with a glossy crust – giving you perfect bread every time. To find out more about our added steam function, click here. Let it rest It can be tempting to tuck right into a loaf out the oven but cutting the bread when it’s cooled for around 20 minutes makes for a much cleaner slice. But if you just can’t resist, we understand… Looking for recipes? Here are our favourites: Irish Soda Bread Banana bread Cheesy pull apart bread Japanese Milk Bread Naan bread Bagels To learn more about NEFF steam ovens for your kitchen, book a FREE cooking demonstration with a NEFF specialist. About NEFF  NEFF is a German-engineered kitchen appliance brand, with a product range that includes ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, coffee machines and dishwashers designed to make life in the kitchen a daily pleasure. For people who love to cook, NEFF gives you the tools to create meaningful connections, express your creativity and make memories. Because real life happens in the kitchen.

What cooking tips did you learn from your mum?

From late nights licking the cake mix off the spoon, perfecting the art of crispy skin and learning all their secret family recipes, our Mothers’ passion for home cooking is often what starts us off on our own love affairs with food. To celebrate the legacy left by the ladies who brought us up, we reached out to our favourite foodies and bloggers to find out what they learnt from their mothers (and what they’re teaching their kids in return): “Saturday mornings are for baking biscuits” – Lucy (Bake Play Smile) Bake Play Smile’s founder Lucy is a mum herself to 3-year old Will, and is carrying on the tradition of Saturday morning biscuits and slices: “When I was growing up, my Mum and I would always bake a big batch of biscuits and a couple of slices every Saturday morning. It was one of my absolute favourite things to do. Now my little 3 year old helps me to do the same! Some of my favourite memories have been those I've made in the kitchen with my mum and now my son too.” Lucy’s sophisticated Caramello Slice recipe is to die for if you’d like to join in the tradition in your own home kitchen this Saturday!  “Peas can cure heartbreak” – Tania (My Kitchen Stories) Tania’s mother was not much of a cook. She had 4 children, all very close in age, and worked full time. But she believed with every fibre of her being in her pressure cooker: “Stew was the lifeblood of our nutrition, along with mashed potato and peas. Peas, and to a lesser extent carrots, were very important. A bag in the freezer means a square meal at any time of the day or night. Peas with butter cover a number of food groups and carrots make a great snack. A bowl of peas can nurse you through heart break and double shifts alike. So if I were to pass on any advice from my Mother, it would be this: Peas smashed, steamed, buttered, souped or stewed can cure any culinary ill.” Tania’s tomato risotto is packed with these miracle peas. “Always cool the pavlova in the oven overnight” – Kylie (Kidgredients) Kylie Archer (founder of kid-friendly Kidgredients blog) shared this hilarious (and helpful) story of parental pavlova disasters:  “Top tip from my mum: always leave the pavlova in the oven overnight to cool down with the door ajar. But that has meant that I, as a busy mum, have burnt three pavlovas. I slam the oven shut, crank it to 200 to get it ready for a roast... and then I smell burning acrid sugar and remember! My mum's pavlova recipe is here on my blog.” We’ll be trying out Kylie’s tip on our own summer pavlova recipe next time too. “All hail the packet mix” – Amanda (Lamb’s Ears and Honey) Amanda’s family ran pubs all their working lives. As they always had a cook on hand, their cooking skills were negligible at best – and “that’s putting it kindly,” she says: “My sister and I learned to cook in spite of them - not because of them. Now, my passion is baking - I’ve never met a cake I didn’t like! But it was a skill I had to pick up more or less on my own, and my early efforts began with good old White Wings packet mixes. They are reliable, foolproof and provide a sense of achievement to a novice baker. To this day, I won’t hear a word said against packet cake mix!” Feeling inspired? Celebrate the mums in your life by treated them to the ultimate Mother’s Day breakfast spread.

4 of our favourite mushroom recipes

Autumn is every fungi foodie’s dream. With supermarket aisles bursting at the seams with the season’s most spectacular display of mushrooms in all shapes and sizes, it’s the perfect time of year to experiment with the rich and delicate flavours of the food group - from intense truffle risottos to creamy mushroom bakes. Whether you’re picking your own mushrooms, trying out some new fungi-fuelled ingredients like truffle oil or dried mushrooms, there is a recipe for everyone in the NEFF archives: Mixed mushroom bruschetta Simple, but surprisingly memorable, this creamy ciabatta-based dish is perfect for a midweek snack or an entrée at your next dinner party. Topped with a delicious mushroom sauce, your guests will keep coming back for more to taste the intricate mix of sophisticated flavours. 3 cheese mushroom lasagne This is one that the whole family will enjoy – the perfect comfort food with the ideal amount of fungi flair. Dried porcini mushrooms make for a rich base, while mixed mushrooms are layered between sheets of fresh pasta and paired with three delicious cheeses – a true celebration of warmth and flavour! Forest mushroom and truffle oil risotto There are few things more more impressive than a perfectly-creamy, home-cooked risotto, but the dish has a bit of a bad rap for being hard to master. Luckily, this easy mushroom risotto recipe is simple to prepare, and filled to the brim with an assortment of fresh forest fungi – from portabello and enoki to oyster mushrooms and rich truffle oil.  With a NEFF oven with FullSteam all you need to do is put the ingredients into the oven to cook, no stiring required! Homemade chicken and mushroom pies Mushrooms pair well with a variety of meats and flavours – but chicken and mushroom pies must be one of the most famed combinations. With buttery, flakey pastry and a creamy thyme-infused filling, these will be the talk of the household for weeks to come. NEFF’s CircoThermo Intensive is used in this recipe to help you achieve golden pastry bases.

Chocolate recipes to make this Easter

The Easter festivities are almost upon us, bringing with them a season of fresh starts, new beginnings and endless chocolate. But it’s about time we refreshed our Easter table too, setting aside the store-bought chocolate Easter eggs in favour of a more memorable menu – fit for even the most discerning of Easter bunnies! Surprise your kids and loved ones with these delicious Easter recipes – from a fool-proof chocolate mousse recipe that will wow guests of all ages, to chocolate-fuelled egg nests that will delight little hands on their early morning easter egg hunt: 1. Fudgy chocolate mousse cake You heard that right! A chocolate mousse recipe and a fudgy chocolate cake all in one, with the strong and delicate flavours of roasted strawberries to round it all out. Made rich and smooth by the NEFF VarioSteam function, this recipe is a show-stopper, and certainly provides the hit of cacao that the family will be expecting this Easter. Click here for the recipe. 2. Try hiding this chocolate hamper From brownies and truffles, to fudge and chocolate bark, this bundle of bite-sized chocolate delights will keep little hands searching and adults intrigued. Fill your Easter baskets with cocoa treats and send your family members home with a few too! Click here for the recipes.  3. Decadent chocolate macarons Forget Easter eggs: egg whites are where the magic happens this season, with this delicious chocolate macaron recipe with chocolate chilli ganache. While they can be tricky to perfect, these individual French delicacies are so rewarding to get right, and will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Click here for the recipe. 4. Chocolate brûlée for the adults No two words can get adults excited about dessert quite like crème brûlée, but this chocolate version will be a winner with everybody at your table. Rich and creamy, this sophisticated dessert is sure to disappear faster than a bowl of chocolate eggs. Click here for the recipe.

Crispy Pork Belly

Preheat oven on CircoTherm® to 140⁰C with VarioSteam® level high. With a sharp knife deeply score the rind at 1 cm interval diagonally across the pork belly. Repeat scoring at 90⁰ to make a criss-cross pattern. Line a baking dish with baking paper. Evenly layer the onion, apple and garlic in the base of the baking dish. Sprinkle on the seeds and pepper to taste.  Place pork on top. Carefully pour cider around pork and then loosely place a piece of baking paper on top. Cook pork for 2 hours. After two hours, remove the pork from the oven. Turn oven to CircoRoast® at 190⁰C. Place wire rack on the enamel tray. Discard flavourings and place on wire rack. Pat dry the pork rind with paper towel and then rub with salt. Cook pork for 20-30 minutes or until rind is golden and crisp. Serve sliced or cubed.

Our top 4 slow cooked recipes to make in your NEFF oven

Can you believe it’s already March? A strange time of year, when the weather is unpredictable, and no-one knows what to wear (or cook). When in doubt, it’s always best to reach for a crowd pleaser. So why not try one of our delicious slow cooked recipes in a NEFF oven? Simple and flavoursome, these recipes make the most of any cut of meat, while keeping the whole family happy at dinner time. Slow cooked beef brisket One of the best things about slow cooking is that it can turn a secondary cut of meat into a 5-star meal. Cooking the meat on a low temperature for a long period of time will ensure it softens, falls off the bone and melts in your mouth (yum). While traditionally made in a slow cooker, you can recreate this effect in a NEFF oven, using Low Temperature Cooking and CircoThermâ. Simply season the meat in the morning, and let the oven do the rest. Have you tried our slow cooked beef brisket? Click here for the recipe Lamb Rogan Josh A spicy Lamb Rogan Josh is a great curry to make on a slow Sunday afternoon. Cooked for 2-3 hours on top and bottom heat, your NEFF oven will ensure the lamb is tender, infused with the fragrant flavours of cumin, coriander and turmeric. It can be served on a bed of rice, or on its own, with naan bread to soak up the delicious left over sauces. We recommend garnishing the final product with natural yoghurt and chopped coriander for an authentic Indian dish, made with love. Click here for the recipe. Slow Roasted Tomatoes While slow cooking is traditionally associated with meat, the same rules apply for meat-free dishes. Our slow roasted tomatoes will caramelise the sugars and maximise the flavours. The slow cooked dish can be eaten hot, warm or chilled. Why not serve as a side for roast meats or include in your next antipasto platter? Click here for the recipe. Lamb Shanks Lamb shanks are a family favourite. Cut from the meaty lower leg and full of flavour, it’s not hard to see why we love them so much. You might have seen it included in classic dishes such as Osso Bucco, and lamb shank casseroles - but have you ever tried it with Moroccan seasoning? Served on a steamy bed of couscous, the Mediterranean dish is sure to be a hit at the dinner table. And if you’d like to include some greens, try adding some fresh tabouli salad to the mix! Click here for the recipe.

3 one pot dinners to save you washing up

Simplicity is key when it comes to weeknight dinners. Especially with work, kids and a household to juggle. Luckily, you don’t need to empty all the pots and pans in your cupboard to make a nutritious meal. Keep mess and stress to a minimum this week with these five one pot dinners you can whip up this week: Lamb Rogan Josh Want to get a little more adventurous in the kitchen? Why not try this rich and aromatic curry that will take you on a sensory journey all the way back to Bengal. The slow cooking will ensure the lamb is nice, tender and full of flavour, and the dish only takes 15 minutes to prepare. Serve it up with chopped coriander and yoghurt for a truly authentic Indian meal everyone at the table will love. Eggplant in Coconut Mustard Curry After something faster and more vegetarian-friendly? Why not try our Eggplant curry? Full of flavour and deliciously filling, this meat-free meal proves that vegetarian meals can be exciting. Forest Mushroom and Truffle Oil Risotto Most risottos are labour intensive, requiring hours of standing over a stove and stirring the pan. But NEFF’s FullSteam function is a gamechanger, meaning you can put all the ingredients in a stainless steel tray and let it cook while you sit on the couch with a glass of wine. Feel like something a little different? Chicken, ham and pea risotto Risotto is such a classic recipe, we had to come back for more. This risotto really couldn’t be any easier – giving you a completely meal in a single tray with no stirring required. With zesty lemon hints coming through, you’ll want to have some leftovers of this delicious recipe! See? There’s no need to turn your kitchen upside down to create delicious midweek meals that the whole family will love!

Bring Thailand to your kitchen

There’s nothing like the fresh tang of a Thai salad on a summer’s day, or the warm sweetness of a coconut-infused rice dish to round out your dinner menu. Transport your guests to the streets and shores of the home of Pad Thai this summer with a range of authentic home-cooked Thai recipes – fit for any foodie’s adventurous tastebuds and easy to whip up with the help of some NEFF appliances. Seafood Thai green curry with coconut rice This lemongrass and garlic-infused dish is perfect for all occasions – from a family gathering to a sophisticated dinner party centrepiece. The mild coconut milk curry sauce is sure to please all levels of taste, and the coconut-infused jasmine rice is delicious enough as a dish its own. Plus, your NEFF FullSteam Oven will help make the cooking process quick and easy. Chilli Thai chicken cakes Perfect as a starter at your next dinner party – and even better as a leftover in your lunch box – these bite-sized chicken cakes are packed with fresh flavour and spice. Best served with a sweet lime dipping sauce that will leave your guests begging for the recipe. Chicken satay Who doesn’t love a creamy peanut sauce? This spicy coconut-infused recipe harks back to the authentic flavours of Thai street food, and is the perfect appetiser for your next feast. Even the kids are sure to tuck in, with tender chicken and mild spices that will keep guests of all ages happy. Your CircoRoast NEFF function is sure to lend a helping hand in this recipe.