Without gas or without electricity? How to create an emergency pantry

In recent months, with the global pandemic and political conflicts, many people have fear of breaking food or energy supply chains, for example with a power outage or a lack of gas supply. And many experts recommend being prepared and have basic food at home for at least three days for emergencies or in case we have to stay in quarantine for several days. In fact, some people are already organizing and are known as prep, or preppers in English.

And how better safe than sorry, it is not bad to consider an emergency plan. To prepare it, the first thing to do is a inventory of resources (energy, water and food) that we have or can obtain.

We have to ask ourselves about the possibility of cook, generate light and heat ourselves in case of power outageand if there is a possibility of getting drinking water (for example, if we have a well or spring water at hand).

Afterwards, what most worries people is drawing a food shortage plan and prepare a good pantry fund, that is, a pantry for emergencies. Here I am going to help you draw up that plan, so that in case of an emergency or quarantine you have enough provisions at home.

Pantry for emergencies: without electricity or without gas

We could also call it our “prep pantry”. To get started, first you have to take a good look at the food you already have at home and make a food storage plan.

The ideal is to store food in a dry and dark place, well ventilated and have food well organized, in large containers or boxes with expiration dates.

If we live in a small apartment and we don’t have a pantry, you have to be a little creative. Can store food in several places such as in bedrooms under the bed or sofa, in closets, cover the boxes with fabrics and use them as a nightstand or TV table, use space above or behind the fridge or on top of the washer or dryer or use garage or cabin (in this case it is convenient to have food in tightly closed containers).

then we have to calculate for how many people and for how long We are going to prepare our pantry. Experts on the subject recommend:

Always have food and water for at least 3 days. Also have food for the full menu, including breakfasts and snacks, for 30 days. Also have long-lasting provisions of basic foods that we regularly consume such as legumes, cereals, pasta, oil or salt, for about 3-12 months.

So that food does not spoilIt is important to always consume those with the shortest expiration date and replace them.

When choosing food we have to take several things into account, such as its duration, our tastes, the budget we have, the calories and the nutritional value, since in emergencies it is convenient to eat the best possible. Also the season we are in and the lifestyle.

In addition to food, we should think about seasonings to make food tastybecause this can influence the mood.

How to organize? You don’t have to assemble your “prep pantry” in a day. Simply, Whenever we go shopping, we can include some extras and keep them. And so, for a couple of weeks we can have our pantry.

List of foods to cook without gas or light

In the event of food supply cuts, it is best to have the pantry well prepared. But what foods to have in the pantry for an emergency?

The important thing is to have long-life dry foods, such as dried foods, dehydrated foods, and preserves, that require little to no cooking in the event of a power outage and that satisfy our nutritional as well as culinary needs. We can also have fruits and vegetables that last a long time.

Here you have a list of foods with ideas to be well prepared:

1. Vegetables and fruits

fresh root vegetable such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, celeriac or pumpkin, which we can store in a dark place with good ventilation for several months. Carrots, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.Fresh garlic and onion, basic to prepare any dish. In good condition they last a couple of months.appleswhich we can store up to 6-8 weeks in the refrigerator or a dark and cool placedried fruit, to add flavor to breakfast cereals or snack between meals. For example raisins, dates, apricots… a long-lasting instant energy boostcanned tomatoesboth crushed and fried.canned vegetables such as peas, corn, beets and others.dried vegetablewhich we can find in some places or even do it ourselves if we have a dehydrator.frozen vegetable, like broccoli, spinach, artichokes, peas, corn…Frozen fruitsuch as bananas, mango, forest fruits… We only let them defrost and we can add them to breakfast cereals, porridge, mix with chia seeds and sweetener or prepare an express jamGarlic and onion powderCooked and packaged beetroot, as they sell it in any greengrocer or store. It expires in several months.Seeds to germinate, such as alfalfa, broccoli, spinach… If we don’t have the possibility to buy vegetables, we can prepare our sprouts in a couple of days

2. Carbohydrates

fine oat flakeswhich do not need cooking and are very nutritious, rich in fiber, protein, complete carbohydrates, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, selenium…whole wheat couscous, which is prepared only combined with boiling water. Better to choose the integral version for its greater contribution of nutrients and fiber.bulgurwhich is not really a cereal but pre-cooked and broken wheat, with the advantage that it is very nutritious, rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamins and requires only 12 minutes of cooking.Quinoathe pseudocereal richest in protein and nutrients and quick to make.buckwheatanother very nutritious pseudocereal that is prepared quickly, in about 8-10 minutes, or can even be eaten just soaked with water.all kinds of pasta and also rice noodles, which do not need cooking.Rice, the basic of the kitchen. The white variety is faster to prepare in the event of a power outage, but the wholegrain variety contains up to 80% more vitamins and fiber.Knackebrot long-life breadwhich lasts a few months, and some Integral bread (which have the shortest duration).flours like whole wheat flour, buckwheat, oatmeal, spelt, almond, chickpea… It’s a good idea to have a couple of packets at home.Whole wheat wrapsbecause they last long and we can prepare a burrito even without electricity, simply by combining the wrap with cooked legumes and a couple of seasonings.Sugar Free Breakfast Cereals such as granola, cornflakes, spelt or puffed buckwheat, quinoa, or brown rice.

3. Protein

Dried vegetables, including all kinds of legumes such as beans, chickpeas and especially lentils. Red lentils only need a very short cook, and the other types of lentils are ideal to germinatesince in 2-4 days we have our sprouts, which they will allow us to eat lentils even raw, in salads, adding to cereals or as a snack.

We only need to leave the lentils to soak overnight, remove the water and leave them in a humid place but without excess water, such as a glass jar covered with a cotton and rubber cloth placed upside down on a bowl. Then a couple of times a day we add a little water, and in a couple of days we can enjoy this superfood.

canned legumessuch as chickpeas, lentils, beans… In the event of a power cut, they can be eaten as is or even prepared as spreads, mashing the beans with a fork and seasoning with spices.Peanut buttera good source of protein and minerals that does not need a refrigerator.legume pastawhich needs little cooking and is a complete protein contribution.Sterilized tofu and tempeh. In supermarkets we can find long-life tofu that is stored outside the fridge.Chickpea flour, with which we can prepare a scrambled egg or an omelette. We simply mix half a cup of chickpea flour with half a cup of water or vegetable drink and a little spices and nutritional yeast. It can also be used to prepare quick pancakes.Seed and nut butters like tahini, almond, cashew….In the fridge we can have tofu, tempeh, vegetarian burgers, since they usually have an expiration of several months. As we consume them, we replace them to always have a couple of extra pieces.

4. Seasonings

In times of emergency, we have to prepare very simple and fast dishesIt is convenient to have a variety of condiments in the pantry to add flavor to the dishes. Just a little spice, a dash of tamari or a bit of pesto can make a big difference.

Coconut and olive oilthe basics in the kitchen. They are important for cooking food, but they also help the body absorb vitamins.Apple cider vinegar, Modena or wine.Sea saltimportant not only to add flavor to dishes but also to help hydrate, alkalize and mineralize the body, make mouthwashes…pestoWell, by mixing a couple of tablespoons of pesto with pasta, legumes or another cereal, we already prepare a complete dish.Soy saucewhich can add flavor to many dishes.MustardSweeteners like maple syrup, panela sugar, coconut sugar, honey… In times of crisis, it’s good to have something sweet.spices, essential for a rich kitchen. Among the basic ones are cinnamon, paprika, cumin, curry, spicy cayenne, parsley, and a mixture of Italian or Provencal herbs.cocoa powder.Vegetable stock cubeswhich can add flavor when cooking cereals.nutritional yeastessential in vegan and vegetarian cooking.canned vegetable pateGround flax or chia seedswhich can be used to replace the egg or as a contribution of omega 3.Baking powder and yeast. It is convenient to have a package to make homemade pastries.Baking sodawhich is used to make desserts, as a digestive aid, to whiten clothes, clean the house, to make deodorant or homemade toothpaste and much more.Vegetable drink or powdered milkwhich can add creaminess to cereals and other preparations.Coffee, tea and infusions like chamomile or mint.Dried tomatoes, olives, capers… They can add a lot of flavor to cereals or legumescanned coconut milk, because coconut milk has a lot of flavor and we can prepare a quick sauce in a couple of minutes. It is convenient to have a couple of preserves at home.Sriracha or chili sauce. Very little is needed and they complete the dish.dried mushroomsbecause they add a lot of flavor to the dishes and with just a little we can prepare tasty pasta, rice and stews

5. Superfoods

Seaweed, very rich in minerals, especially iodine. A small piece can be taken every day as a supplement…