It’s official! This week we’re kicking off the holiday season with Thanksgiving. From family gatherings to Friendsgiving potlucks, we have put together some recipes that will not only wow the crowd but can also help you save energy and money!
What makes these recipes even better, is that they are all energy-efficient. Using small appliances such as air fryers, toaster ovens, and slow cookers will help reduce your energy usage.
From an air fryer baked cranberry brie to a slow cooker honey ham, we hope you enjoy the following energy-saving recipes this holiday season!
Since most customers are on a Time-of-Use pricing plan, you can save even more money by running these small appliances outside the hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Get to know your power this holiday season at sdge.com/myenergy.
Air fryer baked brie
A wheel of brie wrapped in a flaky crust and filled with sweet whole-berry cranberry sauce is the perfect melty-cheesy holiday appetizer that won’t take up too much time or energy.
Ingredients:
- A wheel of brie
- Filo dough (~15 sheets)
- Unsalted Butter
- Egg Wash (1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tbsp water)
- Brown Sugar
- Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
- Chopped Pecans
- Fresh thyme for garnish
Steps:
- Preheat Air Fryer to 380°F.
- Set aside 3 sheets of filo dough.
- Brush the remaining filo sheets with egg wash and layer them in a large circle (about 12-inches) so they overlap with each other.
- Set the brie in the center of the pastry and top with the brown sugar, cranberry sauce and pecans.
- Fold the pastry edges toward the center so that they cover the filling completely. Brush the outside of the pastry with butter and place in a 6-inch cake pan. Refrigerate.
- Layer the remaining 3 sheets of filo dough into a buttered 5-inch mini pan and brush the top with butter.
- Cook in the air fryer for 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the pan of filo from the fryer and set aside.
- Place the pan of brie in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the brie is melted. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove the brie to a serving plate using a flat spatula. Top the brie with the additional air-fried filo sheets from the 5-inch mini pan. Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy with your favorite crackers!
Recipe source here.
Slow cooker honey ham
Save energy by reducing your oven usage and trying this holiday ham right in the crockpot. It’s so easy with just 5 min prep, and it’s unbelievably tender and juicy!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups pineapple juice
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Sprinkle of ground black pepper
- 1 7-10 pound bone-in, spiral-cut ham
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 15 whole cloves
Steps:
- Whisk together pineapple juice, maple syrup, Dijon mustard and pepper; set aside.
- Place ham into slow cooker. Sprinkle with brown sugar and rub in on all sides. Place whole cloves throughout and pour pineapple mixture over ham.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours, basting every hour.
- Serve and enjoy with your loved ones!
Recipe source here.
Toaster oven brussels sprouts
Get warm and toasty with your veggies this holiday season and try these crispy toaster oven Brussel sprouts!
Ingredients:
- Halved brussels sprouts
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Equal parts dried oregano, dried rosemary, dried basil, and dried thyme
- Sprinkle of garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper
Steps:
- Preheat the toaster oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the brussels sprouts on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Drizzle with olive oil and evenly sprinkle the oregano, rosemary, basil, thyme, garlic powder, and pepper over the sprouts. Do not put any salt on them yet.
- Evenly toss the brussels sprouts using your hands to ensure an even coat.
- Bake the brussels sprouts for 12 minutes. Then carefully turn them so that they get roasted on the other side. Return to the toaster oven for another 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and let cool. Sprinkle sea salt and serve.
Recipe source here.
Microwave reindeer food mix
This Reindeer Food recipe is sweet, salty, and impossible to resist. You make batch after batch throughout the holiday season and can even give it to your friends and family as a gift in cookie tins or gift bags!
Ingredients:
- Mini Pretzels
- Cereal box of crispy corn cereal squares, such as Corn Chex.
- Salted dry-roasted peanuts
- Hard-shelled chocolate pieces – For a super festive feel, use only the red and green ones!
- White chocolate
Steps:
- It truly couldn't be simpler to make this reindeer food! Pour melted white chocolate over the other ingredients, toss to coat, spread in a thin layer, let cool completely, and finally break into small pieces!
- Store the reindeer food in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days or in the fridge for up to one week.
Recipe source here.
Slow cooker mulled cider
Mulled cider is just so delicious, and the smell is so inviting, even in our mild California weather. Guests of all ages never seem to turn down a mug, and the adults especially relish the opportunity to do a little self-spiking on occasion!
Ingredients:
- 1-gallon fresh apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
- 1 medium orange
- 1-piece fresh ginger
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp whole cloves
- Orange slices, for serving
Steps:
- Pour the cider or juice into a 5-quart or larger slow cooker.
- Cut the orange into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Cut the ginger into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Add both to the slow cooker.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and optional spices.
- Slow cook the cider for 4 hours on low, covered. If there are clumps of spices floating at the top that you wish to remove, strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer. Keep warm and serve in mugs garnished with additional orange slices if desired.
Recipe source here.