Load shedding: The Food24 team shares cooking tips and advice to lighten your load

There is no denying that a huge concern for most of us is having to figure out what to eat or cook when we experience load shedding. Seeing as load shedding is something that we will have to endure for the next couple of years, we might as well use this as an opportunity to discover quick, fun and cost-effective ways to help ease the inconvenience of these power outages.

We know that when load shedding hits, it often feels like your meal options are limited. Well, gone are the days. The foodies of the Food24 team share a few cooking tips and advice to make life a lot easier.

A bit of pre-planning goes a long way

As with most meals, prep is key. One of the best ways to keep to your regular mealtime schedule is to always plan ahead. If you know your load-shedding schedule, then it’s easier to prepare your meals beforehand.

Ishani Chetty, social media manager for Food24, preps all the ingredients needed during load shedding and then the moment the power comes back on, all she needs to do is cook.

“I will opt for salads with nuts and chopped veggies for when I miss out on prepping beforehand.”

If you’re lucky enough to have a gas stove, Tessa Purdon, head of content for Food24, highly recommends cooking a big batch of staples as soon as your power is back.

“One of my load-shedding hacks is bulk-cooking a big pot of curry or pasta and then reheating it on my gas hob.”

Not only are these one-pot meals ideal for the laid-back cooks, they also freeze and reheat so well, making them the perfect meal to make ahead of time.

Now we’re cooking with gas!

 Bianca Jones, content producer for Food24 shares that if you don’t have a gas stove, it’s well worth investing in a small gas cooker.

“I have a little single plate gas stove and that is the ultimate lifesaver for me.”

Tessa echoes Bianca’s sentiments.

“Gas has actually been a lifesaver for us as we even make our coffee on it – and that leads me to mention my even bigger lifesaver during load shedding… my Bialetti moka pot! They can take my electricity but they can’t take my Deluxe coffee!!!),” shares

ALSO READ: 25 Easy load shedding recipes you can cook with just one gas ring

Easy meals you can make during load shedding

Ishani stocks up her pantry with her favourite load-shedding-friendly ingredients that don’t require her to cook breakfast, but will still keep her tummy full.

“I have been purchasing rice crackers for when I wake up and the power is off. I add nut butter and cheese to it and voila breaky is served!”

Bianca shares that her air fryer is ideal for simple and easy meals that won’t break a sweat.

“I rely on my air fryer and some cook-from-frozen freezer items (schnitzel) for when I realise load shedding is in 15 minutes.”

Salads, wraps and sandwiches are easy and fun meals to make when you have no power. Here are some of our favourite budget-busting load-shedding-friendly recipes to try.

ALSO READ: 17 Tempting braai-only recipes for when load shedding hits your neighbourhood

Eat out

Not in the mood to cook or make a proper meal during load shedding? This would be the perfect time to support your local eateries. To avoid disappointment, try calling the restaurant beforehand to find out if they are operating and have alternative power sources during load shedding.

Here are more of our general load-shedding cooking hacks: 

• Start pickling your own veggies and whip them out when you make a wrap or fresh salad.
• Always boil water before load shedding and keep it hot in a flask until you need it.
• From fish and vegetables to chicken, there is very little you can’t cook on the braai. So, grab those tongs and start braaing!
• Keep a supply of your favourite tinned goods.

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