1. Food delivery when self-isolating
Food delivery services are an ideal and convenient solution, if they’re available where you are.
Consider the healthier options in food-and-recipe box services and enjoy trying some new recipes.
And, of course, restaurant delivery services such as UberEats are good when you don’t feel like cooking. UberEats is offering an option to have your food left on the doorstep, so no one needs to make contact.
In many places, you can order your groceries online and have them delivered, or you can collect them from lockers, so you don’t need to come in contact with anyone.
2. Plan your meals
You can download this easy meal planner to jot down what you’ll need for the recipes you’ll make over the coming weeks. This will help you keep costs down and make sure you have everything you need to feel comfortable at home.
Cooking your own meals, if you’re feeling up to it – is a budget-friendly and healthy option. It might also be a nice distraction when you’re cooped up. Here are some ideas to help you set up to eat well in self-isolation.
3. Batch cook while you’re well
If you’re lucky enough to be well, it’s a good idea to spend a day in the kitchen making meals that you can use later or freeze and reheat, in case you don’t feel up to it in a few days. Here are some delicious slow-cooker ideas perfect to stash in the freezer.
4. Stock up on canned legumes
Canned beans, lentils and chickpeas are a great pantry standby and can be the basis of many a delicious meal. You can keep it as simple as baked beans on toast, or get a bit more creative and try these tasty Taco bowls with spicy beans or this Mexi-bean frittata.
Make the most of lentils with this hearty Red lentil and pumpkin soup (if you’re sniffling this one is deeply comforting, too).
5. Take a tin of tomatoes
The other canned essential is humble tinned tomatoes. Use them to make a simple pasta sauce, or in chilli or a curry. They’re a base ingredient in this comforting Beef and broccolini pasta bake which will keep everyone in the family happy.
6. Sup on soup
Soups are satisfying for body and soul when we’re feeling poorly. Try a super-easy Asian dumpling noodle soup using frozen dumplings and pantry stock. Change it up with whatever vegies you have on hand. You can also use frozen peas to make this light and fresh zesty Thai green pea blender soup.
7. Make mine mince
If you eat meat, go for versatile and quick-cook mince for the fridge and freezer. Everyone will love these Shepherd's pies with sweet potato (made with lamb mince).
8. Pop on a potato (or sweet potato)
Spuds and other root vegetables last a long time when stored in a cool place (not the fridge). They’re incredibly useful, too. These Chicken fajita stuffed potatoes can be made with potatoes or sweet potatoes and make the most of canned beans. Potato mash also tops this comforting Fish pie.
9. Go fish
In your fourteen days, you’ll be wanting to include three or four fish meals. Try this Cornflake-crumbed fish for a healthy take on fish and chips, or use convenient canned tuna for this Tuna and corn pasta bake.
10. Spice it up
When you’re feeling blocked up with respiratory illnesses, the tastebuds can be a bit dulled. Spicy food can be appealing, like one of these hearty, warming curries. Or for gentle spice – just a hint of ginger – try this Braised Japanese chicken with edamame. It’s comfort food at its finest.
11. Fry up a fritter
For breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can’t go past a fritter. These easy Pumpkin fritters with hoummos are made from mainly store-cupboard ingredients and will pep up a jaded palate.
12. Basic pantry list for self-isolation
Assuming you already have a good stock of spices, flavouring sauces and stock, here are some other useful ingredients to include that will see you through the 14 days.
Canned beans
Canned lentils
Canned or dried chickpeas
Canned tomatoes
Baked/chilli beans
Canned tuna/salmon
Frozen vegetables – include edamame and corn
Frozen dumplings
Frozen pastry
Rice
Quinoa
Barley
Pasta
Beef mince
Chicken thighs and breasts
Fish fillets
Beef steak
Chicken or beef mince
Eggs
Potatoes
Broccoli
Cabbage
Salad leaves
Sweet potato
Pumpkin
Selection of seasonal fresh vegetables
Selection of seasonal fresh fruit
A few of your favourite treat foods
13. Food safety tips
First of all, make sure anyone who has symptoms keeps out of the kitchen.
This might be a time where sitting down together at the table is to be avoided, if some household members have symptoms and others don’t.
If everyone in the family is practising good hygiene: frequent, thorough hand washing; proper cough etiquette; and not touching their faces; that’s a good start to maintaining food safety in the kitchen.
From there, it’s also important to avoid sharing eating and drinking utensils. Assign everyone their own cup, plate, bowl and cutlery, and make sure each set is washed with detergent and water, then put in the dishwasher.
Use disposable paper towels to wipe down surfaces frequently with disinfectant cleaning products.
Apart from that, the advice for safe food during self-isolation is the same as we should be following all the time:
- Wash hands frequently, especially between handling raw and cooked foods
- Use different chopping boards and knives for raw and cooked foods
- Cook food well, cover and chill leftovers quickly
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