Quick meals that save time, electricity and money

With electricity costs becoming a bigger part of every household budget, many emaSwati are looking for simple ways to save power without sacrificing a good home cooked meal. The good news is that saving electricity in the kitchen does not have to mean eating boring food or spending a fortune on ingredients.

Here are budget friendly recipes that are full of flavour while keeping your electricity bill in check.

• One pan creamy chicken and spinach pasta

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

250g penne pasta

2 chicken breasts, diced

2 cups chopped spinach

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 cups milk

1 cup grated cheese

Salt and black pepper

1 tablespoon cooking oil

Method

• Heat oil in a large frying pan and cook the chicken until lightly browned. Add the onion and garlic and cook for two minutes.
• Pour in the milk and add the uncooked pasta. Cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the spinach and cheese, then cook for another three minutes. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Electricity saving tip: Keep the lid on while the pasta cooks to reduce cooking time.

• Beef and vegetable stir fry with rice

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

300g beef strips

1 green pepper, sliced

2 carrots, thinly sliced

2 cups shredded cabbage

1 onion, sliced

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp cooking oil

2 cups cooked rice

Method

• Heat oil in a large pan. Fry the beef for four to five minutes until browned.
• Add the onion, carrots and green pepper. Stir fry for another three minutes.
• Add the cabbage and soy sauce and cook for two more minutes.
• Serve immediately with warm rice.

Electricity saving tip: Cook extra rice once and use the leftovers for lunch the next day.

• Egg Fried Rice with Vegetables

Ready in: 15 minutes

Ingredients

3 cups cooked rice (leftover rice works best)

3 eggs

1 cup mixed vegetables

2 tbsp cooking oil

2 spring onions, chopped

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Salt and pepper

Method

• Heat oil in a frying pan. Scramble the eggs and set them aside.
• Fry the mixed vegetables for 3 minutes. Add the cooked rice and stir well.
• Mix in the eggs, soy sauce and spring onions. Season to taste and serve hot.

Electricity saving tip: Using leftover rice cuts cooking time in half and reduces electricity usage.