Oven food is one of the most popular food categories and Taste Atlas has published its list of the top 5 dishes in the “casserole” category, as they are called.
A Greek dish could not be missing from this category, the “giouvetsi”, which is in second place according to the rating.
The classic Greek dish, as reported by Taste Atlas, consists of a combination of pasta and braised meat with tomato prepared as a dish in a dish.
Although beef is the traditional choice, various types of meat can be used, and the rich tomato sauce is usually seasoned with cinnamon, allspice, red wine, cloves and bay leaves, it says.
The best 5 oven foods
In the list of the top five dishes in this category, the first place goes to ‘Parmigiana alla napoletana‘.
Originating from Campania, Italy, the dish is made with eggplant, olive oil, onions, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella or fior di latte cheese and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
The eggplants are peeled, sliced and fried for a while, then arranged in a baking dish on top of the tomato sauce with the cheese, basil leaves and grated cheese. The layers are repeated and the last one should be finished with tomato sauce and grated cheese. The dish is baked until the surface is crispy and then served, ideally at room temperature.
After the giouvetsi, which comes second, the ‘Escondidinho‘ from Brazil comes in third place. It can be prepared with a variety of ingredients – beef, chicken, fish, pork or shrimp. The original is called escondidinho de carne seca, with a combination of dried and salted meat and mashed potatoes.
Carne seca is cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic and various spices. It is placed on a baking tray, then topped with mashed potatoes and often grated cheese. It is baked in the oven until golden brown on top. The name of the dish means “little hidden”, referring to the meat hidden under a layer of mashed potatoes.
Fourth comes the ‘Pastel de choclo‘, from Chile. It is a pot pie-like dish that is also popular in Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. It consists of minced meat, chicken, black olives, onions, boiled eggs and a dough of freshly ground corn called choclo.
Corn plays a key role in the dish. Sometimes they put large raisins in the pie, while the pie itself is sprinkled with sugar before baking, ensuring that a caramelized crust is created on top.
In fifth place is ‘Causa rellena‘ from Peru. It is made with yellow potatoes and tuna salad or chicken. Most of the time, the potatoes are rolled or cut into circles and the filling is sandwiched in between. The dish is flavored with mayonnaise, ají amarillo chilis and lime or lemon juice.
It is usually served cold with lettuce and the top is garnished with black olives, making it a perfect appetizer or light meal on its own.
