If you’ve been taking heed of the Western Cape’s water restrictions, then you probably don’t even need this but for those who are STILL abusing water and actually don’t get how serious a situation us Capetonians find ourselves in, please start shifting your mindset because if you don’t, Day Zero won’t be a fun day for you.
I’ve rounded up a couple of smart cooking tips to ensure you minimize the amount of water you’re cooking with (it all adds up) and if you need a reminder… we’re only going to have 25 Litres to work with so, umm… ja.
ALSO READ: 10 Excellent water saving tips from an eco-conscious restaurateur and chef
Instead of:
>Grilling, baking or roasting your food directly on a baking sheet – rather put a piece of baking paper or tinfoil underneath which will catch all the sticky residual bits that usually require some elbow grease and a lot of water to remove!
>Blanching vegetables – rather steam or roast them in some olive oil.
>Boiling and poaching eggs – rather scramble or fry them.
>Boiling rice – rather cook it pilaf-style. Follow this recipe.
>Boiling pasta in water – rather cook the pasta in the sauce that you’re going to serve it with (works best with shorter pasta like penne and macaroni).
>Using water to deglaze your pan when making a sauce – rather use store-bought stock. Plus, it will be more flavourful!
>Boiling potatoes – rather bake them. Need a recipe? Try this one.
>Drowning your fruit and veggies in tap water – rather rince them quickly and thoroughly with clarified water and peel the skin off with a vegetable peeler.
>Using several pots and pans to cook, try cooking one-pot meals. We’ve got a list of 5 for you right here.
>Defrosting frozen food in water – rather let it defrost overnight in the fridge.
>Lastly, get cosy with your microwave (see these 22 microwave recipes that will change your life) and if you are going to be cooking with water, PLEASE RE-USE IT!
SHARE your water-saving cooking tips with us in the comments section below!