See Safety Tips and a Delicious Recipe!
During the holidays, families often cook impressive spreads of hams, turkeys, delicious sides, and decadent desserts for their loved ones. It’s safe to say the kitchen is bustling.
It can be easy to get tunnel vision while focusing on your feast, so don’t forget about potential safety hazards while cooking. To stay vigilant, keep our tips in mind while crafting your mouthwatering masterpiece.
Don’t leave the kitchen unattended
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, leaving food cooking unattended is a leading cause of kitchen fires, which tend to happen more often during the holidays. Always keep an eye on food on the stove and in the oven.
Wear your oven mitts
Don’t touch those hot dishes or remove items from the oven without putting on your oven mitts. Moving a pot off the stove with a bare hand could also lead to a severe burn. Use your stovetop’s back burners to keep grease splashes and boiling liquids off your body.
Move flammable items away from heat sources
Items like potholders, oven mitts, food packaging, towels, or paper can catch fire if left near a hot stovetop, oven, or other heat source.
Teach little ones about kitchen safety
Keep curious kiddos safe by relaying these tips to them before they help out in the kitchen. Make sure you’re providing careful supervision when teaching them how to cook with the stove and oven.
Visit myPEC.com/safety for more safety tips.
A Sweet, Decadent Holiday Treat!
PEC Employee Hannah Rubio’s Pecan Praline Cheesecake Bars are PEC’s Holiday Recipe Contest Winner
This year, PEC asked our employees to send in their recipes for the holiday staples they love most. The competition was stiff, but Member Relations Employee Development Specialist Hannah Rubio’s Pecan Praline Cheesecake Bars emerged victorious.
Rubio’s family lives near a pecan orchard next to Lake LBJ, so this recipe has been a holiday tradition in her family since she was a child.
If you’re interested in making this Rubio family staple, here is what you’ll need and how you’ll do it!
Ingredients
For the crust
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or crushed pecan shortbread cookies from your local grocery store)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
For the cheesecake filling
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp flour
For the pecan praline topping
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
Instructions
Prepare the crust
• Preheat oven to 325 F.
• Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar.
• Press into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake 10 minutes, then cool.
Make the cheesecake filling
• Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
• Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, sour cream, and flour.
• Pour over cooled crust.
Bake the cheesecake
• Bake 35-40 minutes, or until center is set. Cool to room temperature.
Make the pecan praline topping
• In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and cream.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in pecans, vanilla, and salt.
• Spoon warm praline over cooled cheesecake.
Chill and serve
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours to set.
• Cut into squares and serve.
