When a hurricane strikes and you have no electricity, preparing foods can be quite a task.
If you have a grill, use it! Almost anything can be cooked on a grill, especially if you have a grill with a thermometer and cover-use it like an oven. You can place pans on the grill racks and cook just as you would on a stove top. Just be sure your grill has enough propane (consider having an extra tank on hand) or that you have enough charcoal and lighter fluid to last about a week. Use all refrigerated meats first-hot dogs, steak, bbq chicken, kebobs, grilled veggies, pork chops, cold cuts. Store some frozen meats in a cooler and use these later in the week. Be sure to NEVER eat any food that has been sitting out and is warm. Even if it does not smell bad, it can have harmful bacteria in it. Keep a propane stove on hand and cook anything you want on it-it is just like your kitchen stove, but smaller in size. You can purchase a small propane stove at any local K-Mart, Target or Wal-Mart for about 20 bucks. Another option is a hibachi grill which is similar to a charcoal grill but on a much smaller scale.
Here is a list of 50 food items and menu suggestions that may help keep your family filled (and not so bored with the same old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) for about a week.
1. Instant rice-use canned chicken stock for flavor or bouillon cubes
2. Instant potatoes (use butter which can be stored at room temperature and dry or evaporated milk)
3. Pasta with lentils (break spaghetti into pieces the size of your thumb; cook as directed; place lentils in water to cover -or use chicken stock, add one chopped onion and let cook until lentils are soft; add to cooked pasta; serve with cheese).
4. Rice with beans (cook rice as directed; add one can of kidney beans to cooked rice and one can of tomato sauce; heat through and serve).
5. Instant oatmeal-can be prepared with powdered milk or water
6. Instant puddings (use powdered milk to prepare)
8. Fresh vegetables and fruits can last several days stored in a cool place-fruit salads, roasted veggies on the grill or vegetables dipped in ranch dressing. Purchase a small bottle of ranch as you will not be able to refrigerate the leftovers.
9. Fresh broccoli, zucchini or spinach with pasta-sautee veggies in butter with garlic and add to cooked pasta
10. Hard cheeses such as parmesan and hard salami can be used on crackers or on bread
11. Crackers and hard cheese or cheese in a spray can (does not require refrigeration)
12. Canned ravioli
13. Macaroni and cheese (boxed)
14. Granola/trail mix
15. Grits
16. Cream of wheat (use powdered milk or water to prepare)
17. Peanut butter (on crackers, bread, bagels, peanut butter and banana sandwiches)
18. Slice a banana down its length, spread peanut butter and top with raisins and honey-great snack for the kids!
19. Precooked bacon to make BLT sandwiches
20. Bagels
21. Hard boiled eggs can last a day in a cool place or precook several and store in a cooler for later use
26. Canned fruit (be sure to use all in can as you should not keep canned food out once it is open)
27. Tortilla chips and salsa or bottled salsa/cheese dips
28. Graham crackers -for a special treat spread some chocolate frosting on top of crackers. Be sure to store leftover frosting in a cool place once open if you do not use the entire can
29. Nuts of all kinds-can be eaten by the handful, topped on a salad, fruit or on some cooked vegetables in a stir fry-add some soy sauce or bottled stir fry sauce of your preference along with the veggies. Cook a side of rice and you have a healthy and filling meal.
30. Hot dogs have a lot of preservatives and can be stored in a cool place and easily cooked.
33. Corn on the cob-easily stored in a cool place and used in a variety of ways-make grilled corn on your grill or cut corn off cobs and sauté with some butter for a hot corn dish. Or make a simple corn chowder with some potatoes, onion, corn and chicken stock.
34. Melons keep uncut in a cool place for several days
35. Pasta and peas- sauté medium sized chopped onion in 2 Tbsp. olive oil until translucent. Add a can or a bag of frozen peas and sauté until heated through. Add some salt and pepper. Cook pasta of your choice according to directions and add to the sautéed peas and onions; top with grated cheese.
36. Pork and beans
37. Chili and cornbread are two easy dishes you can prepare on a propane stove or grill. For a very simple chili, brown a pound of ground beef; add chili seasoning, a can of drained kidney beans, a can of tomato sauce or diced tomatoes; heat. You can easily cook packaged cornbread in a covered skillet right on your stove. A side of rice or tortilla chips rounds out the meal nicely.
38. Tacos are another similar alternative -simply brown some beef and add taco seasoning. You may have to skip the sour cream unless you have some in your cooler but this would also be a simple and filling quick meal when your electricity is out.
39. Cut lettuce, olive oil and vinegar (or a dressing of your choice), a can of tuna or chicken make a simple and healthy meal. No mayo needed!
40. Breakfast wraps can be made using powdered eggs or some fresh eggs you may have stored in your cooler. Add bits of precooked bacon or baco-bits and with some cut up fruit, you have yourself a tasty breakfast or dinner.
41. Potato and egg or pepper and egg frittata. Simply cut some potatoes or vegetable of your choice into small pieces. If using potatoes, fry until brown in a pan with some oil. Then add about 6 eggs whisked together with some salt and pepper and let cook until the bottom and edges have cooked; flip and cook other side for a few minutes longer. Serve with a salad and/or some bread for a simple meal.
42. Boxed pancakes usually only take some added water and with some syrup, you have a quick breakfast or dinner.
43. Grilled cheese (if using soft cheeses, be sure they are cooled in your cooler).
44. French toast can easily be made right on your grill either in a pan or on the grill grates. Dip slices of bread in some beaten egg or egg powder, cinnamon and a drop of vanilla; brown on both sides and serve.
45. Make soups out of canned vegetables or the vegetables that are starting to wilt from your refrigerator. Chop veggies into bite sized pieces. Sautee chopped onion in some oil’ add remaining vegetables and allow to cook until softened, about 5-10 minutes. Add 2 cans low sodium chicken stock and enough water to cover the vegetables. Add spices such as salt, pepper, thyme and let cook for about 30 minutes. If you like, you can add some cooked pasta, rice or barley for a more rounded out meal.
46. Hamburger Helper and other boxed pasta and rice can be made, with or without the meat if you do not have it.
49. There are a number of meals on the market that give you a meal such as a lunch requiring no refrigeration-tuna fish with mayo, etc. in packages
50. Cold cuts, tuna or canned chicken can be used in sandwiches or even wraps or in pita bread for a change from ordinary bread. Just be sure the cold cuts are cold and have been kept refrigerated in your cooler.
