Floridian summers are simmering hot — to the point where you can probably fry an egg on a windshield. But just because the sun is out there baking everything, doesn’t mean your kitchen appliances should be, too. This is where no-bake recipes come in!
As soon as you turn on the oven or start boiling that pot of water, your A/C must fight the heat created by these appliances. That extra effort can lead to an increased energy bill. While there’s generally no escaping the need to run your air conditioner this summer, your kitchen appliances account for about 20% of the average household’s energy use — more than any other area of the house! So, let’s take that high energy bill and simmer it down to a low heat.
Monitor your energy usage throughout the month using our handy, free FPL Energy Manager, which gives you smart tools for saving. These kitchen appliance energy tips offer guidance for selecting a low-energy refrigerator and general best practices for using dishwashers, ovens, and stoves. Other tips for improving your energy efficiency in the kitchen include:
- Use the right-sized pans to avoid heat loss.
- Defrost naturally to keep the energy use down.
- Keep the oven door closed to trap the heat inside.
- Use a steamer for vegetables rather than baking them.
- Skip the oven and use the grill to keep the heat where it belongs ... outside. After all, who doesn’t love a summer BBQ?
But enough of the appliance tips, you're hungry! Fortunately, there is a way to whip up a delicious meal for the whole family without having to worry about turning down the heat on your stove or cracking an egg on your sedan.
Put on your aprons because the Watt’s Team is sharing how to save big on your energy bill by making simple no-bake summer recipes that will keep your oven off and your wallet full.
No-Cook Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
When it’s really hot out, the last thing you want is to heat the house up even more by turning on the oven or stove. As we like to say, no cooking, no problem — which is why this mouthwatering recipe for no-cook zucchini noodles is the perfect way to enjoy a summer meal that will leave you wanting seconds.
All it takes is some zucchini, salt, pesto, oil, tomatoes, parmesan and a few other foods to mix. Not only is this recipe super easy, but you also won’t have to wait for your pot to boil and cook the noodles, all while spending energy. Now that’s what we call a win-win! Check it out here.
Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
Spicy Tuna-Stuffed Avocados
Who’s ready for lunch? Get inspired with this spicy tuna-stuffed avocado recipe, which can be whipped up in just under 10 minutes! Yep, you read that right. A healthy, gourmet meal that can be prepped in the blink of an eye — probably because you aren’t waiting on those kitchen appliances to do the slow cooking (and high spending) for you.
This recipe leaves plenty of room for foodies to get creative with what’s in their fridge, as long as you have an avocado and some tuna (or skip the tuna if you’re vegetarian). Get the full recipe from SaltAndLavender.com. Just be careful — your kitchen may not be hot, but your tastebuds will be.
Spicy Tuna-Stuffed Avocados
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Picture this: You’re enjoying a day in the yard, perhaps playing fetch with the dog or splashing in the pool when hunger strikes. It’s a bit early for dinner and you just had lunch not too long ago. Plus, the thought of pressing buttons and heating up your home with kitchen appliances just doesn’t sound all that appealing.
This watermelon cucumber salad is a refreshing snack to accompany any hot summer day. You won’t have to stress about cooking or spending energy; instead, your biggest worry will be running out of crunchy, delectable bites.
All you’ll need is a super ripe watermelon (or just any watermelon, but it may not taste like a million bucks), high quality feta cheese, cucumber, fresh basil and lemon.
“Water” you waiting for? Get the recipe, wine pairings and serving ideas from ACoupleCooks.com and create your own juicy masterpiece to bring to the next cookout.
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Easy Grilled Chicken
We know what you’re thinking — what kind of magic must be done in the kitchen to produce a grilled chicken without any kitchen appliances?
If you’ve figured that one out, please let us know. In the meantime, here’s a pro tip for how you can turn up the heat while turning down your energy usage this summer: use a grill. Most grills use propane, charcoal or other portable cooking material that can start up some heat without using electricity.
A barbecue is a fun summer activity when enjoying a staycation, hosting guests or while simply spending time with family in the backyard. It’s a hot activity, so you may want to wait until the sun has mercifully dipped down into the horizon a bit before you get started on this easy grilled chicken recipe.
Read up on how to make this flavor-packed dish from Once Upon A Chef, so you can have everyone crowning you the grill master. Just make sure to close the doors to your home while outside to keep out the warm air!
Easy Grilled Chicken
BONUS: Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake
What about dessert? No proper meal is complete without a sweet ending. This mocha chocolate icebox cake is the scrumptious cherry on top of a no-bake summer day. The magic involved here trumps those long waits by the oven window, watching your dessert rise alongside your energy bill. Check it out for yourself and thank us later.
Hungry yet? We sure are. Once you’ve tried a few of these recipes, take a look at your FPL Energy Manager to witness the fruits of your (less) labor. You’ll be able to see which parts of your home are driving your energy bill and track your progress on a monthly, weekly or hourly scale. The outcome may very well be a lower bill served up on a silver platter. Bon appetite!
Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake