Both Americans and Japanese use countertop ovens, commonly known as toaster ovens, to prepare a variety of dishes. The versatility and convenience of toaster ovens make them popular for cooking and baking in smaller kitchens or when cooking for one or two people. Here are some common dishes that Americans and Japanese often cook using countertop ovens:
Americans:
Toast: As the name suggests, toasting bread is one of the most basic uses of toaster ovens. They can quickly and evenly toast slices of bread, bagels, English muffins, and more.
Reheating leftovers: Toaster ovens are excellent for reheating leftovers, such as pizza, casseroles, roasted vegetables, and other cooked dishes. They can often heat food more evenly than a microwave.
Broiling: Toaster ovens usually have a broil setting, allowing for the quick searing and browning of meats, fish, and vegetables.
Baking: While they have smaller capacities compared to conventional ovens, toaster ovens are great for baking small batches of cookies, brownies, muffins, and even cakes.
Frozen snacks: Americans often use toaster ovens to cook frozen snacks like mini-pizzas, chicken nuggets, and other quick frozen foods.
Japanese:
Grilling fish: Japanese cuisine often involves grilling fish, and toaster ovens are perfect for this task. It allows for precise control over the cooking temperature and prevents fish from becoming overly dry.
Yakitori and skewers: Toaster ovens are used to make yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and other types of meat or vegetable skewers, a popular Japanese street food.
Melting cheese: Toaster ovens are used to melt cheese on top of dishes like gratins and donburi (rice bowls).
Toasting seaweed: In Japanese cuisine, thin sheets of nori seaweed are toasted to enhance their flavor and crispness. Toaster ovens are used for this purpose.
Small baking tasks: Like in the United States, Japanese people use toaster ovens to bake small items like cookies, pies, and tarts.
In both cultures, toaster ovens are valued for their ability to provide an alternative cooking method to larger ovens or stovetops, especially for smaller meals or when trying to avoid using the full-size oven for energy efficiency.