Top 5 energy saving tips for cooking this Winter!
When we think of winter we often think of comfort food but have you ever wondered how much energy it takes to make those roast meals, pasta dishes and baked puddings? We’ve decided to put together some handy hints that could potentially keep your cooking costs down this winter.
Tip 1: Use a slow cooker
Slow cookers are a great alternative to the traditional oven. They let you prepare your meal in advance and could use a lot less energy! Soups, stews and roast meals can all be made in the slow cooker. Here’s an easy recipe for pumpkin soup:
Pumpkin Soup
Serves 4
1 onion
1 tsp oil
1 tsp green curry paste
4 cups chicken stock
2 carrots
1 kg pumpkin
2 sweet potatoes
Peel and chop the vegetables. Heat oil in a frypan, add onion and cook until tender. Add curry paste and cook another 2 minutes. Add onion mixture to slow cooker along with chicken stock and remaining vegetables. Cook on low until vegetables are tender. Use a potato masher or a food processor to blend until smooth.
Tip 2: Cooking with gas!
Using gas stovetops to cook can be cheaper and more efficient than using electric stove stops. Why not whip up a tasty Salmon Fettucine dish for dinner in less than half an hour?
Salmon Fettucine
Serves 4
1 red capsicum
1 punnet cherry tomatoes
1 red onion
Olive oil
300g fettucine pasta
3 Tbsp pesto
275 g salmon fillets
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh basil (optional)
Chop the capsicum, halve the tomatoes and cut the onion in wedges. Cook in a frypan with some olive oil until tender. Cook the fettucine in boiling water until tender. Drain and toss lightly in pesto. Cut the salmon into chunks and stir fry. Mix together the pasta, vegetables and salmon. Season with pepper and serve with fresh basil.
Tip 3: Use a sandwich press
Small appliances such as the trusty sandwich press can make cooking much easier! Not only are they quick, they are often more energy efficient than larger appliances. Why not make a delicious toasted sandwich for a quick weekend lunch?
Tip 4: Don’t forget the microwave
Many of us know the microwave is a great way to reheat meals quickly but don’t forget it’s also a great way to cook. Cooking in the microwave will not only be faster than the oven but is likely to also be more energy efficient. Feel like whipping up a dessert that only takes 10 minutes to cook? Try this chocolate self-saucing pudding recipe. It’s delicious served with vanilla ice cream:
Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding
Serves 4
2 Tbsp butter (melted)
1 cup self raising flour
¾ cup sugar
2 Tbsp cocoa
½ cup milk
½ tsp vanilla
Topping
¼ cup brown sugar
¾ cup hot water
Mix flour, cocoa and sugar in a large microwavable bowl. Add melted butter, milk and vanilla and mix to combine. To make the topping, sprinkle the brown sugar on top and lastly add the hot water to the top. Don’t mix! Cover with waxed paper and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Test with a skewer.
Tip 5: Make the most of the heat
If you are going to be using the oven to cook your dinner, think about cooking more than one dish at once! Cooking extras and then freezing them means you save using the oven twice – and it’s great to have something on hand when you just can’t be bothered cooking from scratch!
For more tips on cooking and energy efficiency visit the Sustainability Victoria website
Date:
13 June 2017
Category:
Living Sustainably
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