Homeschool World Forum

[Regina Hogsten]

When you bake or roast, plan on several items. Try to use the oven in the early morning.

The same recipe that makes one loaf of banana or other bread will make 12 muffins. Instead of using 50 minutes of energy to bake bread, the muffins will only take 20 minutes. Make enough batter for 24 muffins. The same goes for pies. Make tarts or put squares of pastry dough in muffin tins and add pie filling, top with more dough or crumb crust. Takes about 30 minutes.

If you roast any vegetables in the oven, then roast several types. Sliced eggplant on cookie sheet can be put into the oven the same time as a couple of whole spaghetti squash. When done, turn up the heat to roast peppers. Eggplant and peppers can be used in a recipe or frozen.

Fully load the dishwasher. Run it late at night or very early in the morning when energy costs are cheaper. Clean the soap door in the dishwasher to make sure it doesn't stick so you don't have to wash twice.

Do you have an efficient exhaust fan above the stove?
Be sure the fridge closes tightly.

Cook on the grill to keep the kitchen cooler.

Find recipes that will not require the oven for several meals.

Use the microwave.