House-Autry Chef's Corner

TIP OF THE DAY: Which oven rack should I place my food on?

A customer called me yesterday wanting to know which rack he should use in his oven to get the best results on his cornbread. Here's what I told him: If no oven rack position is indicated in a recipe, the middle rack is your safest choice because it provides the most even flow of heat - this is best for roasting meats, or baking breads and cakes. Pies and pizza are best baked on the lowest rack of the oven - the heat from the bottom helps the crust brown, and keeps it from getting soggy. Souffles should also be baked on the lowest rack, so they'll rise properly.