A Handy Kitchen Tool to help reduce the cost of electricity

(Read to the end for my recipe for good ol' Nova Scotia fish cakes.) 

When I was a newly wed, one of the gifts received was a toaster oven. It didn't take long for me to realize it was worth its weight in gold.

In the summer, the toaster oven didn't heat up the kitchen like the oven did. It wasn't difficult to clean. And I used it often. It also helped to keep the electric bill down.

Pair a toaster oven with casseroles and you have a winning combination. Most casseroles are economical and take little time to whip up. Plus, casserole leftovers can be bagged up and tossed in the freezer to be enjoyed at a later date.

I'd recently whipped up a batch of fish cakes and baked them in the toaster oven. Instead of frying them on the stove, I mixed all the ingredients in a square casserole dish and slipped it into the toaster oven.

My mum loves homemade fish cakes. They can be made with canned salmon, but I use chicken haddie.

I know most people use air fryers and pressure cookers, but a toaster oven will always be my go-to kitchen tool. 

Recipe for fish cakes:

peel, cube, boil potatoes (about five medium) until soft. While they're cooking (about 30 minutes) slice one large onion or two medium.

Once soft, mash the potatoes and add butter and salt.

You can let the potatoes cool or make the mixture while the potatoes are still hot.

Add the chicken haddie or can salmon to the casserole dish, gradually add some mashed potatoes, adding just enough to absorb the fish without overwhelming it. Otherwise it's going to be mostly potato with a little fish flavor.

Add the onion. Mix well. I spread butter over the top to help brown the top.

Bake in toaster oven at 350F for approximately 1 hour or until golden brown. If you use a regular oven, it may only take 45 minutes.

*You can also add fish seasonings and pepper if you so choose to.

Yes, it keeps well in the freezer.

Enjoy.