I'll start by saying that I'm somewhat intimidated by baking. While I am quite interested in it and admire those who do it well, it seems a bit delicate and intricate so I typically steer clear of the territory. At the same time, we are very often asked how the oven performs with baked goods. So, emboldened by the confidence in my oven's ability and inspired by a recent TurboChef-oriented post from The Knead For Bread, I stepped up to the challenge this weekend to illustrate just what the TurboChef can do when it comes to baking.

To begin my adventure in baking, I started with something familiar and comfortable. The Knead For Bread is a treasure trove of great baking recipes. What's more, for those who need a helping hand like myself, they offer a step-by-step "class" complete with visual representations of each part of the process. TKFB provides a nice twist to traditional banana bread with their Chocolate Banana Crunch Bread recipe. The recipe's ingredients are easy to procure and preparation is relatively simple (just be sure to have several mixing bowls ready for duty). Once everything is combined, baking is a snap. Using the oven's recipe settings, I selected Bake > Bread > Quick Breads > Regular Size. While there are also size variations for 3x6 mini loaves in the oven's menu selections, this recipe called for a standard 5x9 loaf pan. With this setting, TurboChef cuts the cooking time in half – to 30 minutes – while the original recipe calls for an hour. Crossing my fingers that I had combined everything correctly, I placed the batter in the oven, closed the door and pressed Start.

30 minutes later I was thrilled with the outcome. My creation came out with a golden brown and chocolaty marbled exterior. The inside was moist and filled with melted chocolate chip morsels and crunchy toffee chips. The resulting swirl of chocolate, banana and toffee is nicely balanced, sweet and delicious. With an ice-cold glass of milk, it's perfect.

Already, I see much more baking in my future. I've got me eye on another TKFB recipe to try out – far afield from this one. I'll share the results in a few days. In the meantime, let me know if you've got a favorite you'd like to see cooked in the oven by posting it in the comments section below.

This entry comes to us from Ted Curtis, a TurboChef customer and avid user of his TurboChef 30" Double Wall Speedcook Oven. If you own a TurboChef Speedcook Oven and would like to share stories, recipes or tips on this blog, please contact us.

I prepared my first filet mignon in the oven the other night. It was amazing.

I took an 8-9 oz. filet and brought it down to room temp (a very important first step). Then I bacon wrapped it and coated the top and bottom with Oklahoma Joe’s Steak Seasoning (great stuff!). I melted a tablespoon of butter on a plate, then coated the steak – top and bottom – right before putting it on a small, preheated Le Creuset grill pan. I had preheated the pan in the bottom oven on “Hi-Broil” for about 20 minutes before moving it to the top for cooking. There is no need to apply non-stick spray to the pan due to the butter. In fact, you don’t want to because you want the pure juices from the meat, butter, and bacon to pour onto the steak when you're ready to plate.

I selected Broil > Beef > Filet > Medium > 1 Count using the Cook Navigator and put the steak in to cook for 6 minutes when preheat was complete. Then I flipped the steak at the 3-minute point to mark both sides.When it came out of the oven, I placed the pan and steak on the stove top under the hood, letting it rest on the pan for about 5 minutes until the internal temp got to around 125-130 degrees. While still in the pan, I salted the steak with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. I placed the steak on a hot plate that was placed in the oven for about 30 seconds. Then I poured the juices that collected in the pan over the top of the steak.

It may be the best steak my wife and I have ever had. The flavor was unbelievable! I’ve prepared it since for a few friends and it’s blown them away! They say it’s as good, if not better, than Ruth’s Chris. I agree.

Hungry yet? - Ted

Here's one more recipe prepared by Chef Waxman at K/BIS. Chef is known for his roasted chicken and, while the taste is exceptional, this recipe couldn't be more simple to create. Best of all, using organic chickens, you can cook up two in the TurboChef Speedcook Oven in about 12 minutes.

Roasted Organic Chickens

2 small (3.0 pound) organic chickens
Extra virgin olive oil
Freshly cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1. Using the Cookwheel, select Bake > Meat/Poultry > Poultry > Chicken > Unstuffed > 3-4.5 pounds. Press “start” to preheat oven.
2. Rinse the chickens and dry with paper towels.
3. Place the chickens in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place a tablespoon of butter on top of each.
4. Place chickens in oven, press “start” to begin cooking. Allow to cook 12 minutes of the 22 minute cook cycle (organic chickens will typically cook more quickly than a non-organic chicken). Allow to rest about 5 minutes before slicing.

You can find more great recipes like this in Chef Waxman's cookbook, available here.

As promised, we're sharing a couple of the recipes we prepared with Chef Waxman at K/BIS. These are easy, fresh and take only minutes to prepare and cook – making them perfect for a meal on any night of the week. Enjoy.

Pizza with Bacon, Parmesan, Scallions & Tomato

1 frozen 10" pizza crust
Note: Chef Waxman prepared his own crusts then froze them. You can prepare this doing the same thing, using store-bought crusts, or using fresh dough. Simply adjust your oven settings accordingly.
2 cups halved grape tomatoes
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
8 ounces Applegate organic bacon, sliced
¾ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
Sea Salt

1. Using your Cookwheel, Select Bake > Pizza > Frozen > Combo. Press “start” to preheat.
2. Roll frozen dough into a 10-inch round and place on metal sheet pan.
3. Press bacon gently into surface of the dough, distributing evenly.
4. In a large bowl toss the tomatoes and onion together. Drizzle with a tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Distribute tomatoes evenly to the edge of crust in a single layer. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and cracked black pepper, to taste. Brush the edge of dough with olive oil.
5. Place pizza in the oven and allow to bake 3 minutes. Scroll to "Cook and Brown More" if desired for a slightly darker bottom and crust.

You can find more great recipes like this in Chef Waxman's cookbook, available here.