Energy saving cooking

Dinah_Gale_2

I know the ultimate energy-saving is to eat a raw-food diet but for those of who enjoy cooking and want to cut down on fuel bills, especially in the current climate, I thought it would be nice to share ideas about low energy methods of cooking. (Am not a fan of the microwave)

For instance, I'm thinking of getting a pressure cooker but have doubts about the loss of nutrients from food cooked this way.

Does anyone have any favourite methods, or know of cookers, gadgets etc that save money?

Farway

I find a steamer fine, spuds in the base maybe, carrots etc next tier, then maybe leaf greens for instance, or a bit of fish in foil perhaps?

Although mine is the sort that has 2 tiers on top of a base pan that goes on a hob, perhaps the electric ones are not as economic

chesky369

I used not to be a fan of microwaving too but since I retired I find it a real boon. I make a large amount of casserole, then freeze in separate portions. They can then be microwaved in five minutes or so. Also, I find cooking vegetables such as vegetable marrow, a really good way of preserving flavour and colour.

Edinburghlass_2

As I'm sure this is covered in more detail on the Old Style board I'll shift the thread over there where users use steamers/slow and pressure cookers.

CLARABEL

hi

this method of cooking pasta was sent to me in an e mail from friends of the earth, and I've used it ever since

When it's in and boiling, time 2 minutes with the hob on. then turn off the hob, put the lid on and leave for the usual amount of remaining time ( usually 6-8mins) Perfect pasta, minimal use of electric / gas!!!

It works like a dream!:D

Clara.x

PS Also love steaming, last night I cooked boiled spuds with salmon fillets in the tier above (slices of lemon on top to add flavour) and cabbage above that. Whole thing was done in 15 mins on one ring! x :T

winniepooh

I'm not a fan of mircowaves. Not had one for several years and I dont miss it.

We have a three tiered steamer which to be honest I dont use often in fact I've only just remembered that we have after reading this thread

I use my slow cooker alot and found it to good very good.

starjumper

Okay this is shocking and I'm both delighted with myself and slightly ashamed.
If I'm having a quick tea of veggie burgers and beans for example then I'll get my soya veggie burgers out of the freezer, defrost tehm and cook them a bit in the microwave then stick them in the toaster to crisp up, while they are toasting pop the beans in the microwave and hey presto quick tea in 5 minutes. It saves putting a whole oven on for 2 poxy veggie burgers which I reall resent.
BTW I don't often have this for my tea, we usually eat proper meals with vegetables etc but if I'm in by myself I'll have a cheaty tea.

Magpye

I used my George Foreman grill to do sticky chicken with onions tonight, bashed the chicken well before hand so it only took a few minutes - I presume it's cheaper than firing up the gas hob for the same thing.

I love toasties done on the George too, much cheaper than the gas grill - that is horrendously expensive to run.

exlibris

Don't forget that the water left from cooking can be used for soups etc. Any nutrients leeched into the water will then be used. Potato water is also useful for breadmaking. It's the extra starch I think>

paddy's_mum

My rule is to cook double of something like a casserole or bolognese sauce and freeze the other half for a quick meal later on. A stew or casserole probably takes only an hour longer so not double the amount of fuel.

I also usually do something like a rice pudding if I have the oven going so that I get a full meal for only one lot of oven heating, if you see what I mean.

We also run a woodburner (in the kitchen) during the winter and I always have two kettles sat on the tap so free hot water. I'll often pop a stew on the top as well but I do realise that not everyone has the chimney nor the fuel to do this.

Personally, pressure cookers frighten the life out of me but I'd be lost without my Judge steamer set, my microwave, hand held blender and the slow cooker.

Phoolgrrrl

I put hobnobs in the oven when it is cooling down. They take 15 mins at 180 but I put them in when we have had an oven dinner and leave till they look/feel right. Have'nt had any probs!