Cooking Without Power

The flicker of a dying light bulb. The hum of the refrigerator grinding to a halt. The sudden plunge into darkness confirms it – a power outage. While the inconvenience of a dark living room is easily manageable, the question of food quickly becomes a concern. Don’t worry, even without electricity, you can still create delicious and nutritious meals.

First Things First

When the power goes out, remind everyone not to spend much time browsing the refrigerator or freezer for something to eat. If needed, quickly open the fridge and take a photo with your phone, then spend time analyzing what’s there so you don’t waste precious cooling power.

Of course, it’s always wise to be able to power your fridge temporarily. Thus, a power inverter and long enough extension cord (get out a tape measure and check) are wise to have. (FYI, I like these Energizer power inverters; 1500-watts should be plenty, but a 2000-watt inverter will ensure you can power almost any small appliance, including a refrigerator or freezer.)

Last, along with other reasons, like evacuations, ensure your vehicle always has a half tank of gas or more and you’ll be able to run your refrigerator or freezer for days with judicious use. Also, if you can have some gasoline stored in approved containers, then that would be even better.

Pantry Staples

The key to emergency cooking lies in stocking your pantry with non-perishable and shelf-stable ingredients. Now’s the time to re-evaluate your pantry staples and ensure you have a good variety of these essentials:

• Canned Goods: Stock up on a variety of canned vegetables (beans, corn, peas, tomatoes), fruits (pineapples, peaches, pears), and protein sources (tuna, salmon, chicken). The more canned goods the better, in my opinion.
• Dry Goods: Grains like rice, pasta, quinoa, and oats are excellent sources of carbohydrates and can be the base for numerous dishes. (Buy them already canned in #10 cans if you want them to last for decades; the LDS Home Storage Center is usually the best option.) Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, like raisins and cranberries, provide essential nutrients and healthy fats. In fact, there’s a lot of pantry foods that I recommend in my food storage book.
• Condiments: Don’t underestimate the power of spices and condiments. Canned or shelf-stable options like olive oil, vinegar, mustard, hot sauce, and spices like garlic powder, chili flakes, and oregano can add tons of flavor to your meals. Really, just focus on the condiments you use most.
• Non-Dairy Milk Powders: Consider keeping powdered milk for a quick breakfast option or to add to oatmeal and smoothies.
• Freeze Dried Foods: I’m a huge fan of freeze-dried foods, but they’re very expensive, especially meats, vegetables, and fruits. If you can afford them, stock up. If not, you can still find powdered foods that are beneficial to building a deep pantry and not terribly expensive. My recommendations include powdered butter, powdered eggs, and powdered cheese.

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget about shelf-stable snacks like protein bars, granola bars, and dried fruit for quick energy boosts.

Ultimately, it’s about stockpiling nutritious, shelf-stable foods while they’re still relatively inexpensive and abundant. Disasters tend to be the time when these crucial items fly off the shelves.

“No-Cook” Ideas

The aftermath of a disaster, believe it or not, could keep you quite busy. At minimum, you may not feel up to cooking or it could be that your primary alternative cooking source is unavailable. Whatever the reason, it never hurts to have some ideas on how to make delicious meals.

Thankfully, there are many delicious and satisfying meals you can prepare entirely without cooking. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Salads: Combine canned beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and chopped vegetables like cucumber or bell peppers with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add leftover cooked chicken or canned tuna for extra protein.
• Wraps and Sandwiches: Tortillas, pita bread, or whole-wheat bread are perfect bases for wraps and sandwiches. Fill them with canned meats (tuna, chicken salad), cheese, lettuce, tomato, and your favorite spreads like hummus or pesto.
• Snack Platters: Get creative and assemble a colorful and healthy platter with sliced cheese, crackers, hard-boiled eggs, sliced vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers, as well as nuts and seeds.
• Yogurt Parfaits: Layer yogurt (plain or flavored) with granola, chopped fruit, and a drizzle of honey for a refreshing and nutritious breakfast or snack.

Beyond the Basics:

While “no-cook” meals are great for immediate needs, a little creativity can extend your options. Here are some techniques to explore:

• Pre-mixed options: Anything that’s little more than “add water only” are here. Examples include instant mashed potatoes, Bisquick or pancake mix, oatmeal, packaged rice side dishes, and mac and cheese.
• Marinating: Combine canned meats, tofu, or vegetables with oil, vinegar, spices, and herbs in a sealed container. Marinating adds flavor and tenderizes ingredients, allowing you to enjoy them raw or cooked later with alternative methods.
• Infused Water: Enhance plain water by adding slices of citrus fruits, cucumber, or berries. Let it sit for a few hours to create refreshing and flavorful beverages.

Cooking with Alternative Heat Sources

If your outage extends beyond a few hours, consider alternative sources for cooking. Here are some safe and effective options:

• Grill: If you have a grill with propane tanks or charcoal, you can create delicious grilled meals and even heat up meals, too. It’s probably the easiest way for most of us to cook food off-grid.
• Camp Stove: Portable propane camp stoves offer a reliable and convenient way to heat almost anything. They’re efficient at boiling water for meals, coffee, or a sponge bath.
• Solar Oven: A solar oven harnesses the power of the sun to cook food slowly and safely. It’s a fantastic option for long-term outages, especially in sunny areas. And even if it’s not always sunny, they will still work, albeit much slower. I used to cook with my All American Sun Oven many years ago. Maybe I need to dust it off again? If that’s too expensive, there are lesser expensive alternatives available.
• Fire Pit: A fire pit can be used for boiling water, grilling, or even baking in Dutch ovens (cast iron pots with tight-fitting lids that can be used over open flames). But with it being an open fire, please do exercise caution to ensure the fire can’t spread and that you fully extinguish the flames when finished.

Important Safety Note: Always prioritize safety when using alternative heat sources. Ensure proper ventilation, keep flammable materials away from heat sources, and never leave a burning fire unattended. Really, all forms of off-grid cooking noted above should be used outdoors, no matter the weather.

Delicious Recipes for Power Outages

Here are some delicious options you can prepare without electricity. Note: I found the following ideas online; adjust as you see fit:

Canned Tuna Salad: Combine canned tuna with mayonnaise, chopped celery and onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve on crackers, bread, or lettuce leaves for a quick and satisfying lunch.

Three-Bean Salad: In a large bowl, combine drained and rinsed kidney beans, black beans, and chickpeas. Add chopped red onion, diced cucumber, chopped fresh cilantro, and a simple vinaigrette. This salad is not only delicious but also protein and fiber-rich.

No-Cook Oatmeal: In a jar or container with a lid, combine rolled oats, chia seeds, and a pinch of salt. Pour in your desired amount of milk (dairy or plant-based) and stir well. Refrigerate overnight for a creamy and healthy breakfast. In the morning, top with chopped nuts, dried fruit, or a drizzle of honey.

Marinated Chickpea Salad Sandwiches: Marinate drained and rinsed chickpeas in olive oil, lemon juice, chopped fresh herbs (parsley, mint), and spices (cumin, paprika) for at least 30 minutes. Toss with chopped vegetables like bell peppers, celery, and red onion. Spread on bread and enjoy a protein-packed vegetarian sandwich.

Power Outage Pasta Primavera: While you can’t cook the pasta traditionally, pre-cooked pasta can be a lifesaver during outages. Toss cooked pasta with canned diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed chickpeas or black beans, chopped fresh vegetables (broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes), and a simple Italian dressing. Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor (if you have it on hand).

Fire-Roasted Vegetables with Herb Dressing: If you have access to a safe fire pit or grill, this recipe is a great way to enjoy a hot and flavorful meal. Slice vegetables like bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and potatoes. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast them directly over the fire, turning occasionally, until tender and slightly charred. Drizzle with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, and your favorite chopped herbs.

Campfire Baked Apples: Another delightful option for fire pit cooking. Core apples and fill the cavity with a mixture of brown sugar, chopped nuts (optional), and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Wrap each apple tightly in aluminum foil and bake directly on hot embers for 20-25 minutes, or until the apples are tender.

Remember: These are just a few ideas to get you started. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can whip up countless delicious and satisfying meals during a power outage.

Final Thoughts

• Plan Ahead: Don’t wait for a power outage to stock your pantry. Regularly review your supplies and ensure you have a good variety of non-perishable food items. Remember that you never know when a disaster might strike.
• Think Outside the Box: Get creative and experiment with different flavors and combinations. Honestly, this may be the one time my wife won’t complain about a meal not being perfect. 🙂
• Prioritize Safety: Always prioritize safety when using alternative heat sources. This can’t be reiterated enough. Stress, preoccupation with bigger concerns, and an unfamiliarity (by you and others) can make off-grid cooking more dangerous.
• Make it a Family Activity: Involve your family in meal planning and preparation during a power outage. It can be a fun and educational experience for children, even teens.

With a little planning and these tips, you can approach a power outage with confidence, knowing you can still enjoy delicious and nutritious meals while keeping your family well-fed. So, the next time the lights flicker and go out, don’t despair – simply unleash your inner prepper and you’ll be better off than most.