I helped cook dinner in Claire’s solar cooker yesterday. Today I’m watching cookies bake in her solar oven, but that will be another blog. It’s a hot job, but better me than Bob and Claire, because they sweat and stink if they stay out too long in the 105 afternoon heat. Bob said he’d put the recipe for dinner down below, but here are the pictures. Maybe you can figure it out yourself.
Cooking Spelt and Onions in Claire's Solar Cooker
Claire adding spices and vegetables to the spelt and onions. I'm getting hot!
Adding two small portions of salmon for the final few minutes
General solar cooker dinner; not exactly a recipe.
One cup spelt
One onion, diced
2 1/2 cups salted water
8 oz mixed frozen vegetables, thawed
two portions of salmon, or other fish
garlic powder
mixed spices, your choice
Set up the solar cooker (Claire made hers from a windshield shade and Velcro) in a funnel shape in full sun (duh) and out of the wind if possible. Put spelt, water and salt in baking dish, place inside a baking bag and close tight with twist tie; set in solar cooker. Check spelt after a couple of hours (bad choice, other whole grains cook much quicker); when done, add vegetables and spices. Adjust liquid with chicken broth or water, cook until vegetables are getting tender. Add salmon and cook until opaque.
Amazingly there was a noticeable drop-off in solar power late afternoon, when the hottest ambient temperatures occur; the sun is already beginning to weaken.
This is not exactly high cuisine; it was our first meal and we wanted to keep it simple. As it, it would be a child friendly project. The next time we will use a quicker cooking grain (still whole) use fresh vegetables, fresh garlic and add some olive oil.
Thank you Lucky, for sharing your blog with us, and watching the cooker all afternoon.
