Blackout meals: Tips from IOL readers

Restaurant staff in Cape Town prepare food orders by candlelight. Picture: Ian Landsberg

Restaurant staff in Cape Town prepare food orders by candlelight. Picture: Ian Landsberg

Published Apr 23, 2015

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Cape Town - Blackouts are a way of life in South Africa now - and we have all developed ways to cope.

IOL asked its readers for some thoughts on how to cope with cooking when the power is off.

Predictably, many people suggested having a braai (names are those given on IOL's commenting platform):

snoobab:"So start the gas braai and serve up ribs, burgers, chicken, boerie rolls and sit all together with my trusty Wurth LED torch and chat. "

Hennie De Ruyter:"Try skottelbraai: Bacon, sausages, onion. mushrooms, green pepper, etc". Hennie also suggested: "Bread with cheese, tamato and onion. Lamb chop and wors. Light fire. Open beer."

Drinking your cares away was also a popular suggestion:

C2H5OH:"Braai & drink. Like I do any other day."

John Schofield:"Gees, what happened to the humble case of beer?"

More seriously, Penellope Jones said planning was key. "Try and prepare more than usual and freeze the rest. Stews or one pot dishes can be easily frozen and heated up on fire or gas. If a freezer is not available, try to plan your cooking before the power goes or even after and remember to prepare enough for a next time.

"Have something tinned on the "emergency shelf" and you can just throw something together and heat up!

"Don't forget about jaffles for those who have a jaffle pan. Bread with prepared mince or chicken, some tomato, or cheese or whatever it is you like and have available, waffles can be made on a gas stove or the braai grill."

DoomsdayDave suggested: "Store boiling water in a Thermos flask before the lights go out. If you have only minutes to spare before the power goes off, make some toast. Sprinkle on some grated cheese or a slice of processed cheese and microwave for 5 seconds. Add a dash of pepper. (Nice quick snack made during half time while watching sport)"

JoeCynic had a good idea: " Thick farm bread with butter/cheese and jam. Ditto with avo spread thick. Ditto with tomato slices, cheese and spice. Light all the candles and play Monopoly on the carpet (if you have children, if you don't then practice making some)."

Dudesky: "Salads with smoked chicken... And use a slow cooker.. Also cold pizza."

Owl suggested couscous salad. "Simply need boiling water and a good chopping hand. Or pre-cook and freeze brown rice, to defrost and add to a salad."

Don had a list of ideas to cook on a two-plate gas burner.

1. Bangers & mash with a simple diced salad.

2. Stir fry with noodles

3. Omelet du fromage

4. Fish & chips

5. French toast

6. Sliced tofu with bean sprouts

7. Soup!

IOL

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