BROILER SUPPERS

The broiler may be the most underused kitchen tool in your arsenal. It provides an intense, searing heat for culinary possibilities way beyond browning meringues or turning the sugary topping on crème brûlée crunchy. In fact, it can work wonders in the caramelization of natural sugars in all sorts of savory ingredients. Make sure you work with broiler-safe equipment, and avoid nonstick baking sheets that may indeed heat beyond the safe temperature of the coating.

Because you’ll cook the meal under the broiler, not just brown something quickly, the oven rack will be set slightly lower than in many traditional broiler recipes. The lower setting allows greater time under the intense heat, the better to reduce the sauce in the pan, without burning. If your oven rack does not allow for the dish to be 6 inches from the broiler, err on the side of greater distance, not less.