Foods that will tide you over till the power is back on during load shedding
In the event of load shedding which leaves you in the dark, here are some tasty and nutritious meal ideas to serve up — no oven or microwave required!
Load shedding is upon us once again but figuring out how to survive with the best menu possible of perishable and non-perishable food is kind of fun. It’s not only a challenge, but a way to reconnect with the simpler foods many of us grabbed from the pantry as children.
Tuna And Other Canned Fish
Regular canned tuna is actually pretty good, truth be told. If you failed to get shelf-stable mayonnaise, lemon, salt, pepper and rinsed capers are lovely light additions.
Carrots and chickpeas
Grate carrots and combine with canned drained chickpeas, raisins, nuts, and a little cinnamon. Toss with orange juice, lemon juice, or vinegar, and olive oil.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Peanut butter and jelly, considered individually, are some of the most flexible foods around. There’s just so much you can do with them. Obviously, while there’s still fresh bread around, you can make sandwiches, but be sure to have crackers on hand for when that runs out.
Bean salad
Combine drained canned beans with chopped tomatoes, chopped spinach, and chopped onion. Toss with a dressing made with balsamic vinegar, whisked Dijon mustard, olive oil, honey, and a dash of salt and pepper. Add canned tuna or salmon if you like.
Biltong, Dried Beef and Dried Sausage
Biltong and dried sausages are some tastiest tasty foods ever invented that don’t need refrigeration. However, take it easy on these as they’re all high in sodium and eating too much is not good for you. It’s a snack, not a lifestyle.
Overnight Oats
Mix rolled oats with water and let sit overnight on a counter. In the morning, add peanut butter, raisins or other dried fruit, and a little cinnamon.
Fruits and Vegetables
Keep in balance by stocking up on hardy fresh fruits and vegetables that can survive room temperature for a while. Skip delicate items like lettuce and high-water-content, thin-skinned items like grapes, which will spoil when the electricity goes on and off during load shedding.
Corn salad
Combine drained canned corn with vegetables you have on hand (tomatoes, peppers, and onions, for example), chopped. Add drained canned black beans if you like. Toss with a dressing made of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 1 part olive oil, fresh or dried basil, and a little salt and pepper.
Veggie Wraps
Veggie wraps are super easy to whip up and can be customized using whatever is left in the house — all veggies, beans, and seasonings are fair game. Start with whole-wheat tortillas (or use romaine, kale, or collard greens as wraps), then pack in canned beans, onion, tomato, cucumber, and any other veggies you have on hand, and drizzle with oil and vinegar.
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061-876-3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031-903-2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
