When the Lights Go Out

The cold snap eased it's grip on the area.  So imagine our surprise when we came home to find no power!  There were no weather issues, the ride home uneventful (thank God), and no power lines down that we could see.  Even though everything looked to be OK, we still had no power. 

The first order of business was to get the fire started to warm up the house.  Even though it wasn't as cold as it had been, 10 degrees is not exactly tropical.  So after the fire was roaring away, it was time to think of dinner.  Pancakes had been planned.  So, out came the cast iron skillet and griddle cakes it was.  It reminded me of camping in the summer time, however, cooking on a gas stove with a flame that could be regulated sure made cooking easier!  Only one pancake got over cooked.  The rest were golden and fluffy.  I used another skillet to pan fry sausages.  Our dinner consisted of griddle cakes, sausages, applesauce, and mugs of hot tea.  We ate by  candle and lamplight.  The house slowly warmed up from the wood stove, and we were full and satisfied. 

Usually when the power is out it's weather related so leaving the house to go to a restaurant is not an option.  I began thinking of meals that could be made easily when you need to "rough it."  A gas stove  makes life a lot easier, because all you have to do is use a match to light the stove top pilot light.  If all you have is an electric range, it's time to brush off the grill and do some grilling.  Small camp stoves are fabulous to use in the house (make sure you ventilate properly) and provide the needed heat to cook.   (DO NOT use these items to heat the house.  That is VERY dangerous.   If you have a way to boil water, you have the beginnings of a meal, power or not.

One year, the power went out, and we went into "roughing it" mode.  Wood stove cranking, candles lit, kerosene lamps blazing away, and hot plates of pasta.  Just as we sat down to dinner, the lights all blazed on, and the TV started blaring.  Without a word, my son got up from the table and turned everything off.  "That's no fun." he said.  "We'll turn them all on after dinner."  How can you beat that?

The recipes below are all one or two pot dinners.  My choice for cooking these types of meals are cast iron skillets or dutch ovens, or the heaviest stainless steel skillet or pot.  They can handle the heat  from extended cooking.   They can be assembled on a gas or camp stove.  Grilling is also an option as well as hopping in the car and going to your nearest restaurant!

Sausage, Potatos, and Onions
1 pkg kielbasa
4 to 5 washed, peeled, and sliced potatos
1 onion, peeled, and sliced
1 can beef broth
1/2 c water
 2 tsp greek seasonings.
salt and pepper to taste

In large skillet, put potatos and onions.   Slice kielbasa on a diagonal and add to skillet.    Pour beef froth and water over ingredients.  Season to taste.  Put lid on and simmer for 30-40 min or until potatos are fork tender.  Serve hot.

Chicken and Biscuits
(This is a great way to use up leftover chicken)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced carrots
1 Tbsp minced garlic
6 cups chicken broth (2 cans)
salt and pepper
2 cups cooked chicken
In dutch oven, heat oil over low heat.  Add celery, onions, carrots, and garlic.  Cook until tender.  Add the stock and chicken .  Simmer for 10-15 min.
Biscuits
(You can use Bisquick or any other premixed biscuit mix, but this is a yummy version)
1 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
3 Tbsp butter (cold)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp herbs of your choice (thyme, sage, parsley, tarragon, chives
Mix the dry ingredients together.  Cut the butter into the flour mix.  Add buttermilk and using a whisk barely mix the ingredients together.  (Don't OVER beat..your biscuits will be tough).  Drop the biscuits by scoop into the hot, bubbling, mix. Cover and  cook for 10 min over low heat.  Serve immediately.

Rob's Favorite Turkey (or Chicken) Hash
2 Tbsp butter
1 bag frozen tater tots (need I say more?)
2 chops cooked, chopped turkey or chicken
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
fresh parsley, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes

In skillet, melt butter.  Add the frozen tater tots and cook until they start to brown, 2-3 minutes.  Add the turkey(chicken), broth, and garlic.  Stir to combine.  Season to taste.  Let the hash simmer, stirring occasionally or until all the liquid is absorbed.  Add the chili sauce the last 5 min of cooking and stir. 

Angel Hair with Sundried Tomatos and Feta
(This is a 2 pot meal)
Cook angel hair pasta (Reserve some pasta water)
In skillet use 2Tbsp olive oil
Saute one onion, finely diced
Add:
2Tbsp tomato paste
3 Tbsp parsley
1/2 cup chopped sundried tomatos
1 cup white wine

Add pasta directly into the pan with sauce.  Use reserved pasta water to thin it.  Cook until warmed through 5-7 min.  Crumble in 1/4 cup feta cheese and fresh parsley.  Serve immediately.

One Pot Rice Pudding
3 cups milk

1 cup Minute White Rice, uncooked

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp cinnamon and nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine milk, rice, sugar, raisins and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Beat eggs and vanilla lightly in a small bowl. Stir small amount of hot mixture into eggs.Add cinnamon and nutmeg.   Stirring constantly, slowly pour egg mixture back into hot mixture. Stirring constantly, cook on low heat 1 minute until thickened. DO NOT BOIL.
3. Remove from heat. Let stand 30 minutes. Serve warm. Store any remaining pudding in refrigerator.