Makingendsmeet

Turn It Down

This month, Country Range development chef, Paul Dickson shares his top tips for reducing energy in the kitchen.

Treats Without The Heat

You can still provide decadent sweet treats whilst reducing the energy you use in the kitchen. Providing more fully finished desserts is one solution, particularly if you add your own decoration and garnish, like here with the Country Range Baked Salted Chocolate Torte. There are also some great recipes that don’t involve using the oven at all, like these delicious grab-and-go Coconut Chocolate Bars, or for a full dessert, this No Bake Coconut, Banana and Passion Fruit Cream Pie is a real crowd-pleaser in the summer months.

Country Range

Baked Salted Chocolate Torte

Chocolate Coconut Bars

A Souper Energy Saver

The summer months are the perfect time to turn the oven down and provide more no-cook options on your menu. It’s surprising how much energy you can save by making changes to your recipes, menu and cooking methods. And it’s not just the savings you make, your staff will also thank you for turning the oven off more and keeping the kitchen cooler at this time of year!

Paul is a Home Economist and Food Stylist working in London and the North West, creating exceptional visual stories in film & tv, on social media and in print. All of the recipes and videos featured in the article can be accessed online at www. countryrange.co.uk/recipes or by scanning the QR code.

Microwave Magic

Mug Cake

When it comes to saving energy in the kitchen, don’t forget about the humble microwave, which is seeing a rise in popularity recently and with good reason. For some recipes, the microwave can achieve in seconds what would take an oven at least 20 minutes. Take this Mug Cake using Country Range Cookie Pucks, for example. A delicious dessert ready in less than a minute.

We all know that soups are a dream when it comes to wastesaving, using seasonal ingredients and being easily adapted to suit all sectors and budgets. A perfect way to save energy in the summer is to switch your soup option to a refreshing and zingy Gazpacho. My recipe doesn’t require any cooking and the result is fresh and flavoursome. Garnish with as much or as little spice as you like, making it an adaptable option for all.

Hit the Salad Bar

Summer is the perfect time to include some no-cook options on your menu, and it’s the salad’s time to shine. Whilst the classic salads always have a place on any summer menu, it’s also nice to add some fresh new options. Buddha Bowls are still on trend and enable you to be creative with a range of textures and flavours. Using frozen prawns is a great idea for a generous and luxurious salad, with no need to cook the protein, like this Prawn Caesar Salad. And don’t be afraid to pair the number of ingredients right back to hero a seasonal ingredient, especially during summer when there is an abundance of fresh produce available, give this Heirloom Tomato Salad a try and you won’t be disappointed.

Heirloom

Tomato Salad

Prawn Caesar Salad