Lockdown Diaries: 4 Creative, Easy Foods to Make during lockdown

If you live in SA, it's officially your second week in self-isolation/quarantine or commonly known as the 21 day lock down which has been extended by a further 2 weeks. The much necessary evil that keeps us, our bank accounts, livers and immune systems safe and clear enough to see another weekend; has rendered most of the country catatonic, to stop the COVID-19 frenzy. So, if you're heeding the government and a few parts of the media as you should be, you're probably at home; at your desk or on your bed on your phone, trying to find a sense of "normal".

Whether you're on the train of "using your lock down time productively" or "taking it one day at a time", we have put together a mini guide of some lock down guide tips to keep you on your toes. Foodie, Face-masks and Fighting the urge to look at your clock every 5 minutes.
We've sectioned off various topics into separate posts so check back in next week for the next insert:... Let's get innit!

1. So if you've been trolling social media, you'd have seen that bread and banana bread has been all the rage! If you're afraid of weighing actual ingredients, etc then it should be none of that cream your sugar and butter bullshit. We want some good new age recipes for millennials! 3 ingredient banana bread! 2 ingredient dough etc! These recipes have been pulled from Foodies of SA which is one of the fastest growing quick recipe and community website in the country, here are 2 of the above mentioned foods.

3 Ingredient banana bread

You'll need:

2 and a quarter cups of self raising wheat flour
5 bananas, extra ripe
1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees and grease a loaf tin. Any oven proof dishware to bake in should be fine really.
In a large bowl, mash up your bananas well and add in your can of condensed. Mix the two well and then add in your self raising wheat flour gradually and mix!
There we have it! Ensure your batter is well mixed so you don't have chunks of banana visible once you're slicing it.
Add any treats you want on top, like a horizontally sliced banana or some choc chips and bake for an hour. Once the hour is up, remove from oven, stick a knife or skewer in to see if baked thoroughly.
Slice up  and add on some butter and enjoy!

2 Ingredient dough
(Great for pizza or pie bases amongst a whole range of other options! Make naan bread, scones and bake that bread!)

You'll need:

4 cups of self raising wheat flour
3 cups of plain double thick yogurt

Sift your flour and fold in your yogurt with a spatula. Fold in till you form a dough.
Sprinkle some flour onto a surface and start kneading your dough with your knuckles. If your dough is too sticky then add in some flour slowly to bind it better. Knead for 5-8 minutes and let sit till you're ready to pop into the oven. Depending on what you're using the dough for, baking time ranges.

Visit the Foodies of SA website here for other quick quick recipes and ways to use your two ingredient dough!

We've sectioned off various topics so check back in next week for the next insert:2. Smoothie, food processor, freeze your fruit

2. Trail mix

Chances are you'll have some nuts stored somewhere in your fridge. Almonds, peanuts etc, Throw them in a jar and add in some random sweeties, M&M's, smarties or Astros. If you're a health nut then opt for some dried fruit. Toss in some granola or whatever cereal you have lying around.

3. Potato wedges

Potatoes are a seriously underrated veggie and we don't give it enough credit! Why not opt for some oven graced potato wedges and a dip for a pre-dinner snack?

Preheat your oven - 180 degrees
Pick some medium sized taters and give them a good rub under some running water. Dry em up in a kitchen towel and cut in half, horizontally and then cut those halves in half again, the same way; creating wedges. Toss them into an oven pan and add around 3 tablespoons of olive oil, salt to taste, some crushed thyme, rosemary or any spices you enjoy with your potatoes. For a little extra something, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over once you've mixed your spices and oil in. Bake for 30 minutes before removing and turning them. Once turned, let the other side cook for another 30 minutes.

Cooking time ranges depending on your potatoes and oven time. So be patient and you can stick a skewer in to check that they've been cooked to your satisfaction.

For a quick dip, throw in 5 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 or 2 tablespoons of sweet and sour chilli sauce. Mix well and serve cold with your wedges

4. Fancy Ass Potato Salad

Yes, another potato option, because let's be real? Potatoes are a great self-isolating veggie that won't go bad too quick! This one doesn't need many ingredients but if you're planning a supermarket run we have a few things to include on your shopping list!

What you'll need:

5/6 Potatoes depending on the size
3 to 4 boiled eggs
Half a cup of mayonnaise
A cup of sour cream
Celery or cucumber, about a cup chopped up.
Half an onion, chopped ( This is optional )
Half a tablespoon of Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
You can throw in some cayenne pepper flakes or thyme for some extra flavor

Peel your potatoes and boil them. Boiling time depends on your potatoes so anything between 10-20 minutes. Once boiled, drain your water and mash up your potatoes. For a chunky salad you can just chop them up.Chop up your boiled eggs and add them to the mix. Throw in your mayo, mustard and sour cream along with your veggies, Mix it all up well and add in your salt and pepper to your liking. There we have! Chill for an hour if you'd like a cool fridge salad!

We've thrown in some cool tips for quarantine cooking here too:

• Batch cook starch like rice or pasta so you can throw in fresh ingredients at lunch but now that you have the opportunity
• Cook yourself an amazing dinner and savour it! If you're working from home, we highly suggest this! See it as a treat for staying at your desk longer than 3 hours! 
• We don't recommend panic buying but advise having chicken in your freezer during this time. It's the easy, healthy and quick to cook and there's endless amounts of meals you can make with it. Especially going with your batch cooked starch. Cook it up in a white sauce, make a little curry or make some baked chicken and cheese. 
• Keep some crackers on hand to create a quick cheeseboard for your weekends in!

Let us know your specialities for quarantine cooking and what you've been eating?