Power cut rations

Bogof_Babe

We had a 5 hour power cut yesterday, so I wasn't about to open the freezer for dinner, not knowing how long it would be before it came back on. Luckily we cook on gas so I did mashed spuds with tinned veg and veggie sausages made with packet Sosmix. (I have an old fashioned kettle that goes on the hob).

However we are in the process of buying a tiny holiday flat that is all electric, so I was wondering what we'd have done with no way of heating food at all. The only things I could think of to keep in stock is packet cereal and longlife milk, plus a packet of crackers and a tube of squirty cheese. To add to the restrictions, OH is vegetarian so tinned meat or fish not allowed :rolleyes: .

Can anyone come up with a no-cooking meal that is a bit more inspiring than jam sandwiches, and that can be kept in a store cupboard?

newlywed

Cold bean salad with lemon juice (bottled) and olive oil dressing?

We have ours with tuna, value kidney beans, tinned sweetcorn, red peppers (from a jar) and a chopped red onion

pigpen

I'd leg it to the chippy if I was in a holiday flat.. heehee.. I'd keep £10 in the cupboard for such emergencies (or rather the £40 it would cost for my lot!!)

I usually have a selection of salad stuff I keep in with wraps anyway.. quick face stuffing food for growing teens!

I usually have a few hard boiled eggs lurking as well

I'd also suggest investing in a small gas camping stove type thing.. just in case!! I'd rather keep one of those in knowing it wouldn't 'go off' in time and would keep forever!

Bogof_Babe

Great ideas both - thank you. I might look into the calor gas idea, but is it okay to use them indoors I wonder?

Why has no-one invented a battery operated slow cooker?

Ebany

My parents house in a small village would sometimes have power cuts and they kept a camping gas stove and lamp just in case. I have fond memories of us all sat in the lounge playing board games under the slightly odd light of the lamp, with water in a saucepan on the stove to make mum and dad tea.

squiggles

tins of rice pudding is alright cold

chocolate mmmmmm what more could you want

squiggles

how about buying a kettle that plugs in the lighter socket of a car then you could have anything dried and in a packet.Army and navy stores sell such items

oldMcDonald

Yup, an electric kettle and a stash of Pot Noodles

(but I think I am the only person in the world who loves them, other people tell me Pot Noodles are gross)

natzini

We have been suffering from a lot of power cuts lately too.

I know I'm going to throw the chicken away as the last one lasted at least 8 hours and I'm sure the ones in the fridge (even though the door was kept shut) will be good at all for us. But what else should I throw? Meat kept in the (unopened) freezer?

Am so upset about all of this.

oldMcDonald

Is there a reason for these power cuts? We never get them, well not since the 70's, anyway.

Hope you don't have to throw too much out. It must be awful to lose the contents of your freezer, can you claim on your house contents insurance?

sandy2_2

If you can boil electric car kettle, there's instant mash, the dreaded pot noodles, couscous, instant soup. Ch ickpeas for humous made by hand
Tinned fruit and instant custard or tinned custard, long life or powdered milk or
you could always make a candle stove