The holiday season generally lends itself to more cooking and baking than other times of the year. That can easily lead to more energy usage as the stove and oven, plus other kitchen appliances, get increased workouts. Nonetheless, there are some things you can do to be as efficient as possible and lessen the impact on your monthly energy bill.
- Be sure the burners on your stove are clean.
- Use the right size pan for the burner and use the smallest pan possible.
- Keep the lids on your pans as much as possible.
- Keep oven preheating to a minimum.
- Use glass or ceramic dishes in the oven for greater energy efficiency.
- Keep the oven door closed while baking; use the oven light when you want to check on a dish’s progress.
- Avoid using the stove and oven whenever you can by using the toaster oven, crockpot or microwave.
Go to lge-ku.com/programs to discover more energy- efficiency tips.
Here’s a classic popular slow cooker recipe for this colder time of year.
Roast Beef With Gravy
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 lbs. beef chuck
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tsp. garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Directions:
Place onion and garlic in slow cooker and top with beef. Add salt, pepper, beef broth and one cup of water. Cook on low 8–10 hours.
Put remaining water in a jar and add the flour. Close jar and shake until mixed. 30 minutes before serving, remove beef from slow cooker and stir in flour/water mixture. Carve beef and return to slow cooker after gravy has thickened.
