How does one find the temperature you should use when baking multiple items such as scalloped potatoes and ham?

Ovens were in use long before clocks were invented. Early cooks just put everything in the oven, and ate when it was all cooked. For most entrees and side dishes, baking temperatures and times are not crucial. For example, you can cook a roast 15 minutes per pound at 400 degrees, or 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees.

If the recommended cooking temperatures are different, I would probably go with 350 degrees for everything. Just make the scalloped potatoes and ham, put them both in the oven, and cook until they are both done. (A lot depends on if you are using a pre-cooked ham, or making scaloped potatoes from scratch.) If the potatoes are getting too brown on the top, cover them with foil.If they seem to be ready an hour before the ham, take them out of the oven. Return them about 15 minutes before serving time to reheat. As long as you don't drastically overcook the ham (so it's dried out), everything will turn out fine.

This is true of many other combos -- roast chicken and baked beans, meatloaf and baked potatoes, etc.

Answer

Every cooks nightmare! LOL Scalloped potatoes take much longer (always judge the different dishes you are cook by the length of time.) I pre-cook my scalloped potatoes and take them out 20 - 25 minutes before they are done. Then I put the ham in and 20 - 25 minutes before the ham is done I turn up the heat a little and let the scalloped potatoes cook.

If in a hurry do your scalloped potatoes in the oven, cook your ham in the microwave. If you are unsure of the time frame for cooking (your microwave has a book on cooking times) slice the ham on a platter that will fit into your microwave, put suran wrap over it and cook 5 - 8 mins. (check in 5 minutes to see if hot and steamy) and then decorate with pineapple rings (canned) or fresh chunks of pineapple and jarred candied cherries.

Marcy

Answer

I have never seen a rule on this but what I do is choose the temperature recommended for the meat and adjust the timing on the other food proportionately. 350 is an average baking temp for most foods.

If the meat should bake for 1 hour at 350 and the potatoes should bake at 375 for 1 hour, I would increase the baking time on the potatoes by about 5 minutes. Of course, if you are baking two dishes in the same oven, you will need to increase baking time on both. If the baking time recommended for the two foods varies by too much, I probably wouldn't try it at all. Serve something different. Also, I have seen on a lot of packaged foods more than one baking instruction. It might say bake at 350 for 30 minutes or 375 for 25 minutes.

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