cooking tips for pandemic and beyond

While the novel pandemic has shaken up our lives, perhaps there is a silver lining. On a grander scale, our environment is getting a well-deserved break from the overwhelming amount of pollution. A friend of mine from London happily reported that because of less planes flying above, they can hear the birdsong while they’re having al fresco lunches and dinners in their backyard and it sounds just like their childhood.

On a smaller scale, we’re cooking more from home. Most non-flesh-food-eating-people do know how to cook as it is important for we don’t have the luxury to order any food from any nearby establishment. This is not to ignore the amount of stress we’ve all been under as we’re attempting to navigate a new normal, but instead, to provide some guidance in the kitchen and perhaps the adoption of some new healthy habits to nurture after the stay-at-home orders have been lifted.

Today I’m going to share with you the concept of cooking with flexibility. What does this mean? Well, it can mean a few things: using what you can easily source or what you already have, cooking for more than one meal or cooking one aspect of a meal to be used throughout the week. 

Supermarkets and grocers throughout Australia are having trouble keeping up with the demand of their customers. Let me remind you that growers were just starting to recover from bush-fires before this period. What this means for many is that most of our staples are not regularly available, and if they are, there is likely a limit on how much you can purchase. The first aspect of cooking with flexibility is choosing dishes that you haven’t cooked before or that is readily available. Let’s take quinoa for example! It’s extremely versatile in its use, incredibly delicious and nutrient-dense. When you have trouble getting rice; quinoa is a great alternative. Two of my favourite ways to use quinoa is either in a salad (warm salad in the winter) or as a team player in a Buddha bowl. And, this concept extends to any other protein, including beans and legumes!

Beans and legumes are inexpensive, easy to cook in bulk and truly an all-purpose protein. They can be used as the main star in a dish (just like you would use them in a chilli or dhal, as a side, as a dip or even incorporated as they are into a soup or salad. Endless possibilities!

There are mainly two ways to purchase beans and legumes: tinned or dried. Tinned ones are already cooked, therefore, are a bit more expensive and likely has lost some nutrients from the process (or even exposure to chemicals from the can itself). Dried is less expensive and carries greater nutrient-density but requires pre-soaking and cooking. More planning, so to speak. From a health perspective, dried is the superior choice. If you own an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you can make a week’s worth of beans in about 30 minutes. If you don’t own a pressure cooker, they’re just as easy to make on stovetop but will take a bit longer. Regardless of how you cook them, I suggest you purchase some beans and legumes in bulk (maybe a few pounds), soak them overnight, cook and freeze. This’ll save you a great deal of time.
One of the things I personally focused on during the lockdown is to cook my pantry. I discovered many ingredients in my pantry that I forgot I got them. It was a great opportunity for me to centre my meals around them. Some of those ingredients were suitable for bulk cooking and in the end they even covered 1 or 2 lunches along the way as well.

I encourage you to see what you already have in your house and use the concept of cooking with flexibility to cook smarter, not harder. If you’re new to the kitchen or simply looking for a recipe to spark inspiration, you can find many healthy options online or on Pinterest. Stay safe and happy cooking!

Medical Disclaimer: All information contained in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent health problems. For all serious health issues, please contact a medical or nutrition practitioner. The information provided in this blog is based on the best knowledge of the author at the time of writing and we do not assume liability for the information within this email, be it direct or indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages. In all circumstances, it is always wise to consult your physician before changing your diet, taking supplements or starting any exercise or health program.