Tired of spending hours in the kitchen? Craving delicious, healthy meals without the endless prep and cooking time? Then Alto-Shaam cook and hold ovens are your new best friend! These amazing appliances allow you to cook food to perfection and then hold it at the ideal temperature for hours, making meal prep a breeze. Whether you're looking for quick dinner ideas or planning ahead for busy weeks, this post will unlock the secrets to mastering your Alto-Shaam and creating effortlessly amazing meals. We’ll explore some simple and delicious recipes perfect for this versatile equipment.
Perfectly Roasted Chicken with Herbs
This recipe showcases the Alto-Shaam’s ability to deliver incredibly juicy and flavorful roasted chicken with minimal effort.
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes (plus holding time) Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1 (3-4 pound) whole chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lemon, quartered
Instructions:
- Preheat your Alto-Shaam to 325°F (163°C).
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up nicely.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder.
- Rub the herb mixture all over the chicken, including under the skin of the breast.
- Stuff the lemon quarters inside the chicken cavity.
- Place the chicken in a roasting pan suitable for your Alto-Shaam.
- Cook the chicken for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C).
- Once cooked, transfer the chicken to the holding section of your Alto-Shaam and maintain at 140-150°F (60-66°C) for up to 4 hours. This allows you to serve the chicken at its optimal temperature, whenever you are ready.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, try adding other herbs like sage or oregano.
- You can also use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts instead of a whole chicken. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Before serving, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sliders
This recipe highlights the Alto-Shaam's low-and-slow cooking capabilities, yielding incredibly tender and flavorful pulled pork perfect for sliders.
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 4-6 hours (plus holding time) Serves: 6-8
Ingredients:
- 3-4 pound pork shoulder (butt roast)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Slider buns and your favorite toppings
Instructions:
- Preheat your Alto-Shaam to 275°F (135°C).
- Season the pork shoulder generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a pan suitable for your Alto-Shaam. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until browned.
- In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
- Place the seared pork shoulder in a roasting pan. Add the sautéed onions and garlic, barbecue sauce, and chicken broth to the pan.
- Cook in the Alto-Shaam for 4-6 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender.
- Use two forks to shred the pork. Mix it with some of the cooking liquid for extra moisture.
- Transfer the shredded pork to the holding section of your Alto-Shaam and maintain at 140-150°F (60-66°C) until ready to serve.
Tips and Variations:
- For a spicier pulled pork, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños.
- Experiment with different barbecue sauces to find your favorite flavor profile.
- Serve on slider buns with coleslaw, pickles, and your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving, may vary based on ingredients and portion size):
Roasted Chicken: Calories: ~250, Protein: ~30g, Fat: ~15g
Pulled Pork Sliders: Calories: ~350, Protein: ~35g, Fat: ~18g
These are just a couple of examples; the possibilities are truly endless! Your Alto-Shaam cook and hold oven opens up a world of healthy meals and quick dinner ideas, freeing up your time and allowing you to enjoy delicious homemade cooking without the stress. Experiment with different recipes and techniques to discover your own signature dishes.