THE RELUCTANT GOURMET COOKING COMMUNITY

[Reluctant Gourmet]

I just finished a blog called How Do You Know When The Meat Is Done?. It explains my new found discovery of using an instant thermometer when cooking meat & poultry in a wood burning oven where you can't depend on a constant oven temperature.

http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/blog/cooking-tips/how-do-you-know-when-the-meat-is-done/

Now that I have been using one again, I realize how important it is to really control the doneness of what you are cooking. If you want your steak medium-rare, you must know what temperature medium-rare is and when you reach it.

It also talks about letting meat rest and why that technique is critical to getting your meat exactly how you like it.

I would like to know how often you use an instant thermometer.

[chefbear]

I would be absolutely lost without mine. I have a very heavy hand and to touch has never worked for me.

[ninjabut]

I do use them from time to time when I'm cooking something I'm not familliar with, or don't cook often, such as Holiday dinners.
For the most part, I cook from experience, using time tables etc.
Nancy

[chefbear]

Each to their own. when cooking on a grill or doing a roast, time can fool you.