Have you ever had one of those days where you simply don’t have the time or energy to cook a proper meal? Maybe you’ve even resorted to ordering in or grabbing fast food on the way home just to avoid the hassle of cooking.
As someone who loves to cook, I’ve been there too.
That’s why I was intrigued when I discovered Tovola. This versatile appliance has been a game-changer for me when it comes to cooking. However, like any new gadget, it can take a bit of getting used to. That’s why I’ve put together this list of 5 tips for getting the most out of your Tovola oven.
These hacks are based on my personal experience over the past few years of using my Tovala and will help you make the most of this innovative little kitchen appliance. So whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, read on for some of my favorite insider tricks…
1. Don’t Be Afraid To Experiment
The Tovola oven is not just an appliance; it’s a gateway to culinary experimentation and exploration. This versatile little kitchen appliance has unlocked a world of culinary possibilities for me and my wife, allowing me to experiment with new ingredients and techniques, and take my cooking to the next level.
One of my most memorable experiences with my Tovola was when I decided to prepare branzino, a delectable Mediterranean sea bass that my wife had been yearning for.
I had never cooked branzino before, so I was a bit intimidated by the process. However, I did some research and found a recipe on the Tovala app that looked promising.
I cleaned and seasoned the fish and placed it in the Tovola to cook. When the branzino was finally ready, I took it out of the oven and was amazed by how beautiful it looked. The skin was crispy and golden, and the meat came out delectably moist and tender. When my wife took her first bite, she was impressed!
This early experience with my Tovala taught me that it is not just a kitchen appliance, but a tool for exploration and creativity. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new, and the result was a delicious and memorable meal.
So, don’t be afraid to try something new in your Tovola Oven. Whether it’s a new recipe, a new ingredient, or a new cooking technique, the Tovola Oven is the perfect tool for culinary experimentation. Who knows? You might just discover your new favorite dish!
2. Elevate Your Cooking With Tovala’s Steam Cooking Mode
The steam cooking mode on the Tovala may seem intimidating at first, but once you give it a try, you’ll see how it can transform your cooking. While the steam mode was one of the main reasons I initially wanted a Tovala, I was a bit apprehensive about using it, as I had never cooked with a steam oven before. However, after experimenting with it a few times, I quickly discovered the magic of steam cooking.
One of the most remarkable features of the steam mode on the Tovala is its ability to lock in moisture, which makes it ideal for meats that tend to dry out easily, such as chicken breasts, turkey, and especially pork. As someone who grew up with unpleasant childhood memories of tough, dry pork that was hard to swallow, I can confidently attest to the transformative power of steam cooking.
Thanks to the Tovala’s steam mode, I’ve been able to cook pork dishes that are the complete opposite of what I used to know—they’re juicy, succulent, and bursting with flavor. It’s completely changed my perception of what pork can be, and has opened up a whole new world of delicious possibilities for me to explore.
Aside from meat, the steam mode is also great for cooking vegetables. Steaming locks in nutrients and flavor, making for healthier and tastier meals. One of my favorite vegetables to cook in the steam mode is broccoli. I simply season the broccoli with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, then place it in the Tovala Oven to steam. Within minutes, I have perfectly cooked broccoli that’s tender, vibrant green, and bursting with flavor.
3. Use Tovala’s App To Find Recipe Recommendations
As a food lover, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes to try out in the kitchen. However, there are times when I hit a culinary rut and need some inspiration. That’s when Tovala’s app (available on Apple and Google Play stores) comes to the rescue. This app is not just any recipe source, but a valuable tool that’s specifically designed for the Tovala oven.
What sets the Tovala app apart from other recipe apps is that the recipes are developed by a team of talented chefs who are dedicated to creating meals that are optimized for the Tovala’s unique cooking modes. These chefs are constantly experimenting with new ingredients, techniques, and flavor combinations to create recipes that are not only delicious but innovative and exciting.
Using Tovala’s app is easy and straightforward. Simply open the app and browse through the wide range of recipes that are available. You can search by cuisine, ingredients, or even specific cooking modes. Once you find a recipe that catches your eye, simply tap on it to get detailed instructions, ingredient lists, and everything else needed to cook it. Each recipe also comes with a helpful video tutorial that walks you through the steps of the cooking process.
Beyond the variety of recipe options, one of the features that I absolutely love about Tovala’s app is how it seamlessly integrates with my iPhone’s health app. Not only can I cook a delicious meal, but the app also automatically adds all the nutritional information for me. This can be a game-changer for those who are serious about tracking their macros and staying on top of their nutritional goals.
4. Leave Air Fried Food In A Little Longer Than Recommended
Tovala’s air fryer mode is a great tool for making delicious and crispy foods without the added oil and mess of traditional frying. However, it’s not always perfect. I’ve had instances where the air fryer mode didn’t quite cook certain foods to my liking, resulting in food that was slightly undercooked and not quite as crispy as I’d like.
For example, one time, I tried air frying sweet potato fries in my Tovala. I followed the recipe I found online exactly, but when I took them out, they weren’t as crispy as I had hoped. After some experimentation, I noticed that leaving the fries in the oven for an extra 5 minutes made all the difference. The sweet potato fries came out perfectly crispy and delicious, without being burnt or overcooked.
The lesson I learned from this experience is that sometimes it pays to go beyond the recommended cooking times when using the air fry mode. Of course, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your food to make sure it doesn’t burn, but adding a few extra minutes can be the difference between undercooked and perfectly crispy.
5. Use Your Tovala Over Your Microwave To Reheat Food
Let’s be real, we’ve all been there. There’s leftovers that we’re excited to eat, but when we reheat them in the microwave, they come out dull, soggy, and unappetizing. I used to think that was just a fact of life until I discovered a better way to reheat food—using my Tovala Oven.
One of the biggest benefits of using the Tovala Oven over the microwave is that it eliminates the common issue of food becoming soggy. The microwave tends to leave food with an uneven texture, where some parts are too hot and others are too cold. But I found that with my Tovala, the food is heated evenly, so I don’t have to deal with any unpleasant surprises when I take a bite.
I remember the first time I used my Tovala Oven to reheat pizza. Normally, when I microwave pizza, the crust gets soft and soggy, which ruins the whole experience. But when I used the Tovala Oven, the pizza came out perfectly crisp and hot, just like it had just come out of the oven.
The only downside to using the Tovala Oven to reheat food is that it takes longer than the microwave. That said, I find that the extra time is well worth it for the improved texture and flavor.
Another benefit of using the Tovala Oven to reheat food is that it can also help bring leftovers back to life. For example, if you have leftover roasted vegetables that have become dry and shriveled, you can add a bit of olive oil and seasoning, and then heat them up in the Tovala Oven to bring them back to their former glory.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to up your game when it comes to using your Tovala oven, be sure to incorporate the tips above. From experimenting with new ingredients and techniques to utilizing the app and community resources, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of everything the Tovala has to offer.
If you’re looking for more tips and tricks to get the most out of your Tovala, I recommend checking out the Tovala Steam Oven Facebook group. This community of Tovala Oven owners is dedicated to sharing recipes, techniques, and insights on how to make the most of this innovative kitchen appliance. What I love about this group is that it’s not just about following recipes—it’s about learning from others and discovering new ways to use your Tovala to create delicious meals that are tailored to your specific tastes and preferences.
Have a question about how to get the most out of using your Tovala? Let me know in the comments!
Do I have to set up the app to use Tovala?
No you do not need to use the app but I find it helpful to use.
Why isn’t there a temperatures listed for any of the recipes?
We have found since now using the Pro model for a few weeks, that Tovala’s programming is set to slightly overcook things, probably to protect themselves liability-wise. So we almost always stop it at least a minute or two before the end. I grill a lot so I have my ThermoPen to check things. I wish there was a real “hack” so we could program cycles ourselves. That’s how I came across this article when searching if someone had done so and published it!