15 recipes for family meals without an oven

In the kitchen, two teams compete, proudly defending their beliefs. On the one hand, those who swear by the oven and simmer roast meats, gourmet quiches, crunchy tarts, and other soufflés for a long time. On the other, those who like to monitor their cooking in real time by adding one or another ingredient here and there to their casserole dish. Without forgetting the students and those who live in the city in a small apartment whose surface area does not allow them to have an oven.

For all these people, it is established and verified: you can cook without an oven simply on hotplates, whether gas or electric! In a frying pan, saucepan or wok, cooking over the fire is more instinctive, free, natural. You can modify or improve your dish during cooking, adjust seasoning, or add an unexpected ingredient.

What family dish can you make without an oven?

The number of recipes that do not require an oven are legion. Among the cheapest family meals, we can cite all the egg variations : omelette, frittata, Spanish tortilla, scrambled, etc.

THE pasta in sauce also, are simply made on the fire, just like the variations around rice. In addition, the rapid cooking of pasta and rice allows them to be prepared in record time, and does not make the table wait too long.

THE simmered, for their part, are the quintessence of dishes without an oven. Just like grandma’s delights, seared for a long time then braised on the gas stove. If meat remains the master of stews in French gastronomy, vegetarian versions are just as possible. Less expensive, and often with a quicker cooking time, vegetable stews are also a good way to introduce the immense variety of these products to the little ones.

Focus on the Maillard reaction

When it comes to cooking, whether you use a frying pan or a wok, you trust the Maillard reaction for perfect coloring of onions, chicken, meat in general, or even eggs. Although it is not difficult to achieve, you still need to know two or three little things. The heat and strength of the fire, the water contained in the food, the acidity, or even the quantity of ingredients in the pan are some of the elements to take into account when cooking.

To inspire you, here are 15 ideas for family dishes to make in the oven.