Knowing that you have a history of forgetting food in the oven, you decide to set the timer on the oven to remind you when your batch of cookies will be done. This strategy provides a distinctive that will trigger your prospective memory to take the cookies out of the oven

retrieval cue

Explanation:

A retrieval Cue is a means that helps in making things remember to a person. It helps in triggering and helping in order to get an access to a certain memory.  

In the given case, the person is setting the timer because the person knows that he has the habit of forgetting things. The timer here acts as the retrieval cue that will help in retrieving the memory of the person. As the timer will start to ring, the person will automatically run to the kitchen to take the food out of the oven.