You've just had a rough day at
the office, and you’re yearning for
comfort food. As you drive home,
you salivate at all the possible meals
you could prepare, counting the
minutes until you can get home to
start cooking.
But when you get home, you
find yourself in darkness. Eskom
had other plans on how you should
spend your evening.
Fortunately, having no electricity
does not mean you have to go
hungry or settle for bread.
Two South
African chefs to reveal their load
shedding hacks and recipes.
Culinary artist at Granny Mouse
Country House & Spa Theo
Mannie shares five tips to ensure
that you are not left hungry:
A gas cooker is your friend
A gas cooker with multiple
cooking attachments is a must-have
in any household. If you do not have
one, it’s best to invest in one.
Mannie says that these days you
can get little portable cookers that
are versatile and convenient.
“One minute you are making a
stir fry over a gas flame, the next you
are having a braai,” he says.
The use of multipurpose
vegetables
Vegetables such as carrots,
broccoli, cauliflower, baby marrow
and peppers offer little preparation
time and are easy to cook.
It also comes in handy when
preparing a salad, stir fry, curry or
wrap. These types of vegetables
require little time on the gas.
Tinned goods
Tinned goods are essential in any
household. Stock up on tinned items
like baked beans, chakalaka and
tinned fish such as tuna.
“Tinned items reduce cooking
time, and many, like baked beans,
can be used in various ways. The
tinned items also have a longer shelf
life,” he says.
Smoked or cured sausages
Smoked or cured sausages freeze
well, adds flavour to dishes and
reduce cooking time.
“The butcher section of most
supermarkets has a good selection at
affordable prices,” Mannie says.
Fresh fish
Use fresh fish fillets like butterfish
and hake – they are more affordable
than big-brand frozen fillets.
“Fresh fish can be frozen and
does not take long to cook, which is
handy when you trying to beat the
clock or save on electricity.”
Consult the fish counter at your
supermarket for other options.