Most people are feeling the pinch with the raising of energy prices so thought I'd share a cooking tip I've used for many years. How to cook rice and veggies with about half the energy.
My sister taught me this trick many years ago and I've used it ever since even if energy was cheap and plentiful. Every little helps. This particular sister wasn't usually the one with advise, it as more the other way around. But this once she got it right.
So how many people just chop their veg up throw them in a pan with a ton of water and boil them to mush? All the while checking to make sure they don't boil over. Most people I know do. WRONG!
Firstly, things that take a little longer like carrots and potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces. No bigger than an inch at their fattest point roughly.
Do not fill the pan with water. Put only enough water to almost cover what's in the pan. Less water heats up quicker.
No need to cover completely
source
Bring to the boil and as soon as it's bubbling (steam is churning out the top) put on a well fitted lid and turn the heat right off. Yup turn it off completely. Not down. Off.
Go have a sit down or prepare something else. Leave on the ring for about 10-15 mins (for tough veggies) then check a potato or carrot with a fork. Should be done. Not mushy but al dente.
Other veg will cook through much quicker, just a few minutes (5) then give em a poke with a sharp fork.
(This tip pertains to FRESH VEG only obviously. Not frozen or tinned)
RICE
I was always taught you had to cook rice by boiling furiously with no lid. WRONG!
I decided to try this method with rice to see if it worked and YES it does. Even brown rice.
Just put water in so it is about 1 inch higher than the level of the rice. Bring to a good fast boil then same as before. Lid on, heat off. Leave for about 15-20 mins.
Nothing more satisfying than leaving these things to cook themselves, lifting the lid to find lovely fluffy rice and no water to drain, no steam filled kitchen and no energy wasted. Plus no watching the pot the whole time (BORING!) and it won't overcook.
Happy camping...........