If the rumours are true then we are in for an even worse ‘big freeze’ this winter – a thought that will sends shivers down the spine even if you like the snow. We all remember the ice-rink roads that became impossible to navigate; only the toughest of Army vehicles could make safe progress on them. This made getting to the shops for even the most basic supplies very difficult for some, and food ran short during those cold weeks. So the message this year is to be prepared.
Start building your ‘snow cupboard’ now. Stock up a cupboard in your house with foods that have a long shelf life and will keep you going if you are stuck at home. Read on for some ideas.
Tinned foods: Always great for your stock cupboard, fill it up with the likes of baked beans, tinned peas, tinned tomatoes, canned meat and fish, and tinned fruit or tinned puddings. Having a variety of tinned foods on hand will allow you to have either a tasty meal or dessert, with minimal effort.
Ready meals: Keeping a couple of ready meals, or prepared foods such as quiche, in the freezer can provide the basis to a snow day meal. Also, stock up on items such as instant noodles, pasta pots, or soups.
Dried foods: Think pasta, rice, cous cous, breakfast cereals, and crackers, good basics to have at each meal. Also with dried food do not forget seasonings, sauces, and soup mix. These can be high in salt, but they are a good standby and will add flavour to your food.
Long-life products such as skimmed milk powder only needs a drop of water to transform it into milk. UHT milk is another option that is great for your store cupboard; it has been heat treated to give it a lifespan of a few years. Remember once opened it will only last as long as ordinary milk and it will need to be stored in the fridge. These options mean you will never be short of a cup of tea no matter how cold it gets.
Easy bake your own: Ready-to-bake bread or scone mix only needs some water or milk to be added, and a quick stir to get it ready for the oven. This means you can have fresh baked bread even if the shops do not.
Water: It might be a good idea to have some large sealed bottles of water as it will come in handy if your water freezes over — although you could always fill your kettle with snow.
With a forecast of snow, it is a case of hope for the best but prepare for the worst this year. There is no sense in being cold and hungry this winter – build your snow cupboard now.
Advice issued by the Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service, HSE Dublin-Mid Leinster, phone (044 ) 9353220, email [email protected]
