The Broiler is Your Friend

Your oven's broiler is an underutilized tool that can bring a new dimension to your dishes. The broiler uses radiant heat from a single element, usually at the top of the oven, to quickly brown and crisp the surface of foods. It's akin to grilling but with the heat source above the food instead of below.

The broiler can add a delightful crunch to the topping of casseroles or gratins, char the edges of vegetables, quickly sear meat, or melt and brown cheese on a dish. However, it requires careful attention as it can easily burn food due to its high temperature.