There’s no denying it: Eskom’s regularly irregular power cuts really affect the way we cook and entertain. But there’s no need to resort to end-of-the-month crackers and cheese. Fresh ingredients can make for a most satisfying meal, and if salads don’t appeal in colder weather, nothing beats a good ol’ braai. We’ve compiled a list of great recipes that require zero electricity. They’re fresh, simple and perfectly suited for a delicious dinner by candlelight.

On the braai

Barbecued chilli squid and aubergine with ginger and coriander yoghurt
Squid works so well with Asian flavours and it’s great cooked quickly on the barbecue. The spiced aubergine is cooled by the ginger and coriander yoghurt.

Barbecued chilli squid and aubergine with ginger and coriander yoghurt

Bob Marley chicken wings
A lip-smacking dish that can be made on the braai.

Braaied pork fillet with braised tomato and chickpea salad
Sweet pomegranate molasses, tart tomatoes, and a touch of paprika make this pork recipe a little bit special.

Braaied snoek with chilli-and-garlic oil
A classic that will have you licking your fingers.

Braaied spicy brinjals with poppadoms
This vegetarian braai dish is perfect as a loadshedding supper.

Jan Braai’s garlic and peri-peri chicken drumsticks
Braais save us all in times of darkness. Here’s a delicious chicken recipe from the master himself.

Lemon and herb chicken kebabs
A classic marinade on a versatile meat.

Mrs Martin’s griddle scones
Simple and delicious. Turns out you just need some flames to serve tea and scones!

Mrs Martin’s griddle scones

Pie on the braai
Pastry might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you fire up the braai, but these spinach and feta pies will knock your socks off.

Potbrood
A South African classic that should be part of everyone’s repertoire.

Smoky barbecue kebabs 
This recipe requires prep ahead of time: wrap steak in pancetta or streaky bacon and marinate for at least three hours to ensure perfectly juicy meat on the braai.

Smoky BBQ kebabs

Soy-and-honey pork chops
Sweet and deliciously smoky, these pork chops reach great heights on the braai.

Salads

Asian coleslaw
Cabbage doesn’t have to be the brown boiled stuff of nightmares. Try serving it fresh and finely sliced and use baby purple and green cabbages for a milder flavour.

Creamy avocado and rotisserie chicken salad
Whip together ready-roasted rotisserie chicken (thanks, Woolies!), crunchy walnuts, fresh herbs and salad leaves for a light, easy and quick supper.

Garden Caprese salad
This simple salad is served with a ball of creamy mozzarella. A speedy, fresh idea to accompany a braai.

Moroccan salad of raw carrots, beetroot and dates
Throw this salad together to complement your braai and watch even the hardened carnivores dig in.

Moroccan salad of raw carrots, beetroot and dates

Panzanella
An easy, deliciously tangy Tuscan bread salad that requires no electricity.

Peach salad with prosciutto
This easy recipe calls for salty prosciutto, creamy buffalo mozzarella and spicy rocket leaves for a refreshing, healthy salad.

Plum and feta tabouleh
This Middle Eastern dish is effortless, super healthy and scrumptious.

Plum and feta tabouleh

Potato salad three ways 
While this does call for cooked potatoes, it gives some ideas on livening up your spuds with parmesan and lemon, curried yoghurt or classic sour cream and dill.

Potato salad three ways

Salad in a jar
The container for this salad can match your solar jars dotted around the kitchen.

Strawberry, feta and melon salad cup
A refreshing, portable salad ideal for a light dinner.

Tangy Asian chickpea salad
Easy and simple to put together, this Asian-inspired dish means you can ditch the stove completely.

Tangy Asian chickpea salad

White peach and salami salad
This juicy, fresh salad seduces with its combination of sweet and salty flavours.

More ideas

Fragrant Lebanese bean-and-pomegranate meze
Made with white beans, lemon and coriander, this dip offers a healthy, meat-free protein kick with plenty of flavour. Serve it with crackers or crudités.

Fragrant Lebanese bean-and-pomegranate meze

Lettuce, mango and mozzarella wraps
This salad makes excellent use of lettuce leaves by wrapping up the rest of the ingredients.

Lettuce, mango and mozzarella wraps

Salmon ceviche 
This fresh, zesty salmon recipe can be served with flat cracker breads for a stunning starter or clever canapé.

Salmon ceviche

Sushi hand-rolls
Because homemade is always better. (You will need pre-cooked rice.)

Dessert

Coconut squares
This tart sandwiches a layer of condensed milk and coconut between Tennis biscuits. You will need to melt the chocolate to make the ganache topping, but we’re sure you can make a plan with the fireplace.

Coconut Squares

Sugar-free raspberry ripple
“This would have to be one of the most popular recipes I’ve created,” says cookbook author Sarah Wilson of this sugar-free treat comprising coconut, salted butter, cocoa and raspberries. You would ordinarily pop it into the freezer to set, but we’re sure you could just eat it with a spoon.

Sugar-free raspberry ripple