If you’re an adventurer, then cooking under the sky must be deeply satisfying for you. Solar ovens are great in that case, as they turn outdoor cooking into a great experience rather than making it a hassle and full of gas flames in the environment. Whether you’re living off-grid, camping, or hiking, solar ovens help you to slow down, which makes the taste of food much better.
If you are one of those people who think solar ovens can only reheat leftovers, then this article is for you. Here are three practical and delicious solar oven recipes that prove that you don’t need traditional gas flames or electricity to enjoy food outdoors.
1. Camp Bread
Most people think that they can’t bake in solar ovens, and that belief is wrong because of the oven’s name.
Cooking fresh bread outdoors feels perfect and magical. For beginners, this recipe is a deal as it doesn’t require fancy tools or kneading skills.
Recipe
Add two cups of flour, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, ¾ cup water, and 1 tsp oil in a bowl. Then, mix all ingredients and soften the dough. Pour it into a dark baking pan with a little oil, but don’t make it too greasy.
Cover the lid of the solar oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours in the sunlight.
Solar ovens are good for baking because the risk of urn is low and the read comes out soft with a light crisp which makes it extremely delicious.
You can also add garlic powder, dried olives or herbs to make it tasty.
2. Solar Veggie & Chickpea Stew
A comforting and delicious one pot meal for long sunny afternoons.
If you’re someone who doesn’t like to watch the pot all the time on camping days but need food that fills stomach without hard work, this recipe is for you.
Ingredients
Add one can of drained chickpeas, 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped carrots, 1 chopped potato, 1 bell pepper of any colour, 2 cups vegetable broth or water, 1sp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, salt and pepper to taste and olive oil in a bowl and combine them.
Then add these ingredients in heat safe pot with a lid and place it inside your solar oven and let it cook for 2 to 3 hours under direct sunlight.
Heat slowly softens the veggies and allows spices to blend. The recipe turns out as rich stew that feels like comforting and satisfying even in the forest.
You can serve it with crackers or flatbread for a complete meal.
3. Baked Apples with Cinnamon
If you are a dessert lover then this recipe feels like a reward after a tiring day.
You don’t need too much sugar outdoors as this is recipe is comforting, delicious and surprisingly luxurious.
Ingredients
All you have to do is just take cored 2-3 apples, cinnamon, honey or maple syrup or raisins or nuts.
Then stuff the apples with cinnamon and optional fillings you would like to have on in your dessert and place them in a covered dish and cook it for 1 to 1.5 hours.
The apples release its natural sweetness and soften slowly and there’s no rushing or flames.
You can spoon them over oats for a next morning breakfast.
Conclusion
Solar ovens aren’t just for reheating or sustainability, they’re about presence. You’re fee to journal, hike, talk, sit and breathe while your food cooks. There’s no need of fuel or constant checking.
So, if you’re planning for an adventure outdoor, try using sunlight in your cooking routine. You might explore that they don’t need fire at all just the sunlight and sky.