Chef Mark's Tips for Cooking at Home During COVID-19
03 APR 2020
Keep Up Fruit & Vegetable Intake
Purchasing, storing and cooking vegetables can be a challenge during a lockdown. But whenever possible, the intake of fresh vegetables and fruit is imperative especially during times of limited exercise and moving around. Blanch vegetables in boiling hot water for two minutes, then place in an ice bath to help keep nutrients in your food and avoid wastage as these will last longer.
If Fresh Isn't An Option, Buy Quality Canned & Dried
The following canned or dried items are packed with nutrients, oils, protein, vitamins and minerals. Chickpeas, beans, tuna, sardines, mackerel, lentils, pulses, quinoa, split peas, rolled oats, dried fruits, nuts.
Switch Out Fatty Snacks
You're not hungry, you're just bored! Visits to the fridge and cupboards at home have never been higher due to the lockdown. Switch the chips, chocolates and other sugary treats to other alternatives. Nuts, cheeses, dried fruits, low-fat yogurt, organic granola, boiled eggs, crudites & hummus, cottage cheese, rice crackers and dark chocolate & almonds. If your working from home, make a lunch like you usually would if you were going to the office to avoid grabbing the leftover pizza or Chinese food.
Watch What You Drink
Keep up with the recommended two litres of water a day instead of the soda or sugary juices. Switch between tea and coffee to avoid the caffeine crash from drinking just coffee. Homeschooling not going quite to plan? Keep to the low-calorie drinks and high concentration of antioxidants like pinot noir, vodka soda, gin and diet tonic, mojito (no simple syrup), light bloody Mary or rose wine.
Make Cooking & Eating Fun For The Whole Family
Let's hope we never have to go through this again, but it's one of the few times in our usually busy lives that we can all cook, eat and sit down together as families at the same time. Cooking and eating together is a great way to create healthy routines, strengthen family bonds and have fun. Wherever you can, involve your children in food preparation – small children can help with washing or sorting food items while older children can take on more complex tasks and help to set the table. Try as much as possible to stick to fixed mealtimes as a family. Such structures and routines can help reduce anxiety for children in these stressful situations.
Mark Stone
Executive Chef, RattleSnake Point Golf Club