Cooking, meal prepping, or doing pretty much anything in the kitchen was never really my thing. Up until earlier this year, I spent most nights eating out, ordering takeout, or making a quick PB&J before bed. That all changed when the pandemic hit and shelter in place started. My boyfriend and I didn't eat out for months and were forced to start cooking for ourselves. What at first seemed like a dreaded daily task quickly turned into something I enjoyed.
Turns out, I actually love spending time in the kitchen, but the only downfall was how much time it was taking out of my day. I found myself needing to prep ingredients, cook them all at different times and temperatures, then clean up the mess I made afterward. As someone who works full-time, making lunch and dinner daily was getting exhausting.
Along my cooking journey, I invested in a few new things [1] to give me an extra hand, and behold, I found the Brava Oven [2] ($1,095). You might have seen this cool oven on your Instagram feed, but it's so much more than just a place to whip up quick recipes. It ended up being the solution I was looking for.
Keep reading to see some of my favourites features, things I've actually cooked, and why it's worth it.
What Makes the Brava Oven So Special?
The Brava [4] ($1,095) is made with a smart design that includes six high-powered lamps that use both visible and infrared light to cook food quickly. Not only does it speed up the cooking process, but it also cooks more efficiently. The lights heat up rapidly and can adjust to different levels. The main pans and tray have three cooking sections. Meaning if you want to cook salmon, potatoes, and veggies, all you have to do is fill the tray according to the directions and press start. The light adjusts to cook each section at a different level, so everything will be ready at the same time. Genius!
What Are My Favourite Features?
My favourite thing about the Brava [5] ($1,095) is that it has so many cooking options. It's a device you will truly never get bored of using. Not only can you make entire meals that are preset [6] at the push of a button, but the oven also has other features that let you incorporate your own recipes. You can sear, toast, air fry, dehydrate, reheat, and even bake. Yes, you can use the bake feature like a traditional oven, too; just preheat it (which heats up super fast) and make whatever you need to. The upside of this is that the insulation makes it so your house won't get hot.
Some Things I Love Cooking
I've cooked numerous preset dinner meals, but some of my favourite things to make are simple and easy treats. I recently used the cookie recipe to bake some delicious salted chocolate chip cookies [7]. The recipe was easy to follow, only took me 10 minutes, and made whipping up dessert more enjoyable than ever.
Some Things I Love Cooking
I'm mostly a vegetarian, but I cook a lot of the protein-focussed meals for both my boyfriend and me. Occasionally, I'll eat meat with him, but when I'm just eating on my own, I enjoy making quick vegan meals like cauliflower tacos or wraps. For this, it's easy for me to mix up some cauliflower with BBQ sauce and quickly cook them on the cauliflower setting. It works twice as fast as when I used to bake them in the oven.
Would I Recommend the Brava?
I have to admit, I'm a total minimalist when it comes to home decor, kitchen products, and just about anything. I never like having anything "extra" or appliances on my countertops, but this is a must have in my book. The price tag might be high, but what you get in return is priceless: extra time and motivation. Instead of feeling intimidated by making new recipes, it suddenly seems quick and easy. Plus, there's a simplicity to the process that just makes my day smoother. Since I've had mine, I haven't turned on my oven or microwave once.