Despite the approaching rainy season, you should always make an effort to appreciate and save water no matter where you are. This is especially true in the kitchen, as water is a key ingredient in many recipes, and cooking often requires the use of large amounts of water. Take a look at our top ten tips for saving water in the kitchen.

By Taryn Wilson

1. If you are running water into the sink while waiting for it to heat up, run the excess cold water into a bowl to be used later for the kettle, in the garden or for washing veggies.

2. Use your grey water from rinsing vegetables, the washing machine and cooking to water your garden.

3. Dishwater can often be too dirty to use on the garden or anywhere else in the home, so try to limit your dishes by re-using plates, cutlery and cups. Only wash dishes when absolutely necessary.

4. Avoid rinsing off dishes with clean water before and after washing. Rather let your dishes drip dry
in a dish hanger.

5. If you find that you have too much water to use in the garden, try planting your own veggie patch. You will save water and bucks this way.

6. If you recycle at home, try to avoid rinsing the items before putting them in the bin. If you really feel you have to (because of the smell and insects) then wash them with your dishes.

7. Despite what you may have heard, it’s not a good idea to stock up on bottled water as it takes even more water to produce the plastic packaging. Try getting clean drinking water from a natural spring, such as the Newlands Brewery water point in Cape Town.

8. If you aren’t too keen on growing your own veggies, make sure to buy raw unpackaged items that have not been rinsed as this process uses shocking amounts of water in the bigger scheme of things. And rinsing them at home is a great way to use any excess water you have saved up.

9. We know it may be hard to hear, but the production of meat products uses vast amounts of water. It can take up to 42 000 litres of water to produce 1 kg of beef. Take a look at some of our amazing vegetarian dishes to try as an alternative. Going meat-free just once a week will make a huge impact.

10. Lastly, ensure that everyone in your home knows about your methods to save water. It doesn’t help to be the only one making changes. And even if you don’t live in Cape Town, unnecessary waster wasting should never become a habit.

Photography: @thekitchencompany

The post 10 tips for saving water in the kitchen appeared first on MyKitchen.

It’s no big secret that Cape Town is going through a severe drought, so local business owners have had to assess a way forward to keep their businesses afloat while saving water. From the 1st of April, The Test Kitchen will introduce The Drought Kitchen, a pop-up dining experience. Luke Dale-Roberts and his team will focus on using less water in the kitchen while still preparing creative and magnificent food.

By Ulisha Moodley

‘I’ve had to re-evaluate how we approach what we do in the kitchen and the restaurant,’ says Luke. ‘From preparation to plating, service to clean-up, everything is impacted by using less water. It’s been an eye-opener, for sure,’ he adds.

Guests can look forward to a sublime six-course menu that is adapted from the Test Kitchen’s standard repertoire, but just with a water-wise twist. The menu includes a 12-hour hot-smoked trout with watercress and yoghurt snow; yuzu caviare and blinis; sweet breads with asparagus, peas, morel and porcini hollandaise; pig-head salad and pork pie; springbok with beetroot bone marrow and hazelnuts; and peaches and lavender for dessert.

Each course will also be plated on empty picture frames with an interchangeable card, designed by Luke. ‘These hand-crafted disposable plates will provide the perfect counterpoint for displaying each dish.’ With no washing up required!

Booking can be made via The Test Kitchen’s website here: thetestkitchen.co.za

THE DETAILS

When: 1 April – 31 May 2018; Tuesday-Saturday, 6:30 PM –11:30 PM
Where: 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Price: R890 for the water-saving menu
Contact: 021 447 2337
Website: thetestkitchen.co.za

The post The Drought Kitchen: A reduced-water dining experience appeared first on MyKitchen.