Most places in the United States during the months of July and August are experiencing hot weather. And to escape the summer heat, most people come indoors where there is a fan or air conditioning to help cool down. Turning on the oven can be counterproductive when trying to keep things cool. That's why during the summer months, it is good to use these five ways to cook without using an oven.
The Grill
Who doesn't love grilled food? Most people do but not all like to actually grill! With some grills there is all that messing around with charcoal, propane or whatever it takes to get the grill going.
If you're not an outdoor grilling pro - never fear! Indoor grills have made it easy to enjoy grilled burgers, hotdogs, chicken and veggies. And one of the best things about the indoor grill is that you can use it in any kind of weather.
There are so many types of grills out there - you need to find which one works best for you. Are you an outdoor griller only? Do you like to grill year-round? Do you mind smoke or not? How many people do you grill for - just yourself or do you like to offer grilled food at get-togethers? Do you want a grill that's portable? All of these decisions might influence what kind of grill and what size of grill to buy.
One thing is for sure that no matter what kind of grill it is, grilling is a great way to cook without using an oven.
Electric Skillet
An electric skillet is sort of like a frying pan that uses electricity rather than heat from the stove. As with a frying pan, a variety of foods can be cooked in an electric skillet. They are great for stir-fry recipes, hamburger noodle hot-dishes and french toast and eggs. You can even use it to fry hamburgers or poach fish.
Using the electric skillet is a quick way to cook as most recipes can be made in about 30 minutes or less. Electric skillets come in a variety of size and shapes - some are more rectangular while others are square. Most of them come with a lid.
You can adjust the temperature on the electric skillet from 250 degrees to 400 degrees F. and most have a simmer setting and a warm setting. Since they are so versatile, electric skillets are a great way to cook without using an oven.
Some of my favorite recipes to make in an electric skillet include: cheeseburger macaroni, sweet and sour pork, and tuna melt sandwiches all which can be found on the recipes page of my blog.
Crockpot or Slow Cooker
I like cooking with a crockpot so much that I have two of them - a small 4 quart size and a larger 6 quart size. In order for crockpot recipes to turn out right, it is important to use the right size crockpot or slow cooker. The larger crockpots are generally used for dishes with a lot of meat and the smaller ones for side dishes, veggie dishes, soups and sauces.
Cooking with a crockpot is very convenient. It is easy to throw all of the ingredients into the crockpot before heading off to work then come home to a deliciously cooked meal. On the low setting, most recipes take between 6-10 hours to cook. On high, the time frame is between 2-6 hours. When cooking meat in the crockpot, it is a good idea to check it with a food thermometer to make sure it's cooked to the right temperature.
It seems there are more and more varieties of crockpots to choose from and some of the more expensive ones come with digital programming. Using a crockpot is definitely a great way to cook without using an oven.
Convection Oven
A convection oven is way better than just a plain old little toaster oven. Besides just toasting bread and bagels, it can also be used to make pizza, frozen snacks, garlic toast, bake cookies and broil fish. When used to make toast or bagels, there are five settings. Use the lower numbers for lighter bread and less crunch and the higher numbers for darker bread and more crunch.
As with most cooking appliances, the convection oven comes in many varieties and different sizes. Some of them even come with a rotisserie option.
Another advantage to using a convection oven is that you can cook at lower temperatures but cook food more quickly. It also bakes food more evenly than a regular oven.
Because the convection oven can be used in so many different ways, it is a great way to cook without using an oven.
Microwave
Microwave ovens have become much more compact throughout the years even with the added features. With the touch of a button you can quickly make popcorn, warm up leftovers and thaw frozen meats.
Another way to cook with the microwave is by popping in a frozen dinner and two to four minutes later your meal is ready. There are a variety of frozen meals to choose from and many frozen food companies even have low-calorie dinners if you're trying to watch your weight. Most grocery stores have a whole aisle dedicated to frozen meals.
Microwaves are so quick and convenient which is why they are a great way to cook without using an oven. And by the way, handy-dandy food covers are great for reheating food. It's better than throwing a paper towel over your dish and helps keeps your microwave cleaner for longer.
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