I'm trying something I saw on here

Toomuchdebt

I read in one of the threads about cooking something and using less gas/electricity by bringing it up to a boil and then putting a lid on it and switching the heat off and letting it cook in its own heat....I'm making soup and it'll be interesting to see if it works.

phizzimum

I do this with rice and pasta since reading about it on this forum. Saves gas and means I don't have to worry about the pan boiling over

welshbookworm

I do this with boiled eggs. Saves the pan and the eggs (when I remember to turn the gas off! )

purpleybat

Toomuchdebt wrote: »

I read in one of the threads about cooking something and using less gas/electricity by bringing it up to a boil and then putting a lid on it and switching the heat off and letting it cook in its own heat....I'm making soup and it'll be interesting to see if it works.

I think this works best on electric stoves, esp older style ones that take a while to heat up and cool down. its never worked particularly well with my gas stove (tho having heavy pans seems to help cos they retain heat)
the oven, for obviously reasons, works better. I'm not sure id finish a cake or similar off like this, but I find my oven will keep a stew bubbling and hot for a goodly while are turning it off.
as with most appliances I think a lot of it is trial and error. for example I always turn my slow cooker off an hour before scoffing the contents cos I know that stays hot for AGES.

Toomuchdebt

Well it seems to work on gas too My soup was lovely. The parsnip could have been a little better but it was a whole parsnip. Everything else was sliced
I'm going to try it with the rice later

Larumbelle

It works well for me, too, it is just one of those things I do without thinking now! There is not much I cook on the hob when the heating is on past the 'bring it to the boil' stage. And keeping a lid on while you heat the pan is a must - it gets things to that boil stage so much quicker!

For rice, I measure twice the volume of water to rice I am using. Put it all in the pan from cold, add any flavourings/a little salt if required and add the lid. Bring to the boil, then turn off the heat. the rice will continue to absorb the water and you should end up with perfect fluffy rice that does not stick or need draining.

Good luck!

Toomuchdebt

Thank you-I actually get non sticky rice now anyway ever since I stopped buying small packets and bought a huge bag in Tesco in the world foods section-I'm on my 2nd bag and it's brilliant!
I'll try your method today

theoretica

I do this with pasta and rice too, on a gas stove. Sometimes throw a towel over the top to keep a little more of the heat in if I am not using any of the other burners. The bottom doesn't burn and the pan doesn't boil over, and I can always turn the heat back on (after taking the towel away) if it needs a little more.

ouraggie

I have done this for years, too. I bring the pan to the boil, then switch off. When I go round friend's houses or to my sisters I itch to tell them to switch off the gas/ leccy once it's boiled, but I know from experience I'd be wasting my time and energy. Nowadays i just keep quiet and let them winge to me about how they've never got any money.
I come on this site just to stay sane sometimes!

Dustyblinds

I do this with rice and eggs, haven't tried it with anything else.

Shropshirelass

I do this with frozen veg, peas, sweetcorn, green beans. Bring to boil switch off burner, leave lid on. Just before serving, bring to boil and drain.
Useful tips here!