Bake
Baking means cooking food with the dry, surrounding heat of an oven rather than in direct contact with a flame or hot liquid. The hot air circulates around the food and cooks it evenly from all sides, which is why baking is the method behind breads, cakes, cookies, casseroles, and roasted vegetables. Because the heat is gentle and steady, foods develop firm structure and browned surfaces without the intense searing you get from a grill or skillet.
Most recipes call for preheating the oven so the food starts cooking at the right temperature the moment it goes in, which matters especially for cakes and breads that need to rise. A practical habit for home cooks is to place items on the center rack for the most even heat, and to resist opening the door too often, since each peek releases warmth and can cause a delicate batter to sink. An oven thermometer is worth keeping, because many home ovens run hotter or cooler than the dial suggests.
Most recipes call for preheating the oven so the food starts cooking at the right temperature the moment it goes in, which matters especially for cakes and breads that need to rise. A practical habit for home cooks is to place items on the center rack for the most even heat, and to resist opening the door too often, since each peek releases warmth and can cause a delicate batter to sink. An oven thermometer is worth keeping, because many home ovens run hotter or cooler than the dial suggests.