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Lights Out? Try These 4 Recipes During A Hurricane Power Outage

While it isn’t always possible to prevent a power outage during a storm, you can prepare beforehand by stocking up on water, non-perishable foods, power banks, batteries and other emergency supplies. While you can eat these foods without any preparation, you may want to get creative with your canned foods if you’re experiencing an extended power outage or trying to feed picky eaters. Here are some of our favorite recipes for spicing up your emergency meals. 

Tuna Salad Sandwich 

Ingredients 

  • 1 can of tuna, drained 
  • ½ cup mashed avocado 
  • Drizzle of olive oil 
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder 
  • Pinch of salt, to taste 
  • Pinch of pepper, to taste 
  • Dash of hot sauce 
  • 2 slices of bread 

Directions: 

In a bowl, mix the tuna and mashed avocado with a light drizzle of olive oil, as well as the garlic powder, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Taste and add more seasonings if it needs more flavor. Once you’re happy with the filling, spread between the bread and cut into triangles. 

Notes: If you want to add even more flavor and texture to your sandwich, consider topping it with crushed potato chips or mixing in raisins or chopped nuts. You can also swap canned chicken, salmon or chickpeas in place of the tuna. 

Elevated Peanut Butter Sandwich 

Ingredients: 

  • Peanut butter 
  • 1 banana, cut into coins 
  • Drizzle of honey 
  • Chopped nuts, raisins and/or granola (optional)
  • 2 slices of bread 

Directions: 

Spread an even layer of peanut butter over one piece of the bread, then evenly spread out banana coins and any nuts, raisins or granola you’d like to include. Drizzle honey over the top, add the second piece of bread and cut into triangles. 

Notes: You can swap the banana out for apple slices or pear slices if you prefer. 

Texas Caviar 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 avocado 
  • 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
  • 1 can of corn, drained 
  • 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
  • Pinch of salt, to taste 
  • Pinch of pepper, to taste 
  • Chips or crackers 

Directions: 

Peel the avocado and dice into large cubes, then wash the tomatoes and slice in half. Add avocado and tomatoes to a bowl with the corn and black beans, and stir. Then, season to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy on top of the crackers or chips of your choosing. 

Pantry Staple Tacos 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 can of shredded chicken breast in water, drained 
  • ½ teaspoon taco seasoning
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1 can of diced pineapple chunks in water, drained 
  • 1 jalapeno
  • ½ of a red onion
  • ½ of an avocado 
  • 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed 
  • Tortillas 
  • Hot sauce, optional 

Directions: 

Toss the chicken with the taco seasoning and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Taste and add more seasoning if necessary. 

Meanwhile, dice the pineapple chunks into smaller pieces, as well as the jalapeno (remove the seeds for less heat), red onion and avocado. Toss with the black beans and add salt and lime juice to taste. 

Fill each tortilla with a scoop of the seasoned chicken and top with the pineapple salsa and hot sauce.  

Tips for Cooking During a Power Outage 

Cooking during a power outage is a very different experience than cooking under regular conditions, so here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Chop ingredients by a window with natural light. If it’s too dark where you’re preparing food, you increase your risk of accidentally cutting yourself with a knife. 
  • Only make enough to eat at the time since you don’t have a fridge to keep leftovers safe and prevent food poisoning. 
  • Check frequently to see if you are currently under a boil notice. If you are, only use bottled water or water you have stored and saved in advance when cooking. 

Take the time to prepare your pantry for hurricanes today. Stock up on non-perishable foods and drinks to promote your health, hydration and energy after a storm cuts off electricity. However, even if you and your home are set up for success, your community may be just as impacted by a hurricane and yet far less prepared. 

Emergency food services can help a community or workforce get back on their feet post-hurricane. For example, a turnkey catering company like Cotton Culinary provides not only special event catering but also emergency food services and disaster relief for communities. Cotton Culinary’s emergency food services for hurricane season help businesses restore their operations safely and efficiently. With a fleet of mobile kitchens and the ability to quickly mobilize to a disaster area to provide food and potable water, Cotton Culinary’s emergency food services help mitigate a hurricane’s damage to communities and business owners.

If your workforce or affected region requires food services after a disaster, you can contact Cotton Culinary for emergency relief catering and proven expertise in hurricane recovery. Equipped with the right foods, you and your community can better weather this hurricane season.