No gas? No problem! Four simple ways to make sehri and iftar during shortage

We’ve all been there. It’s time to fire up those burners and throw in the samosas you have been painstakingly piecing together during the last few weeks, when – surprise, surprise - no flame springs to life at your command, no matter how viciously you wrench those knobs. 

Yes, it’s gas shortage season, making a special appearance at peak times during Ramazan for double the fun. But all is not lost. If your iftar is incomplete without samosas and pakoras, you can always opt for these easy hacks!

1. Get a gas cylinder

These are perfectly safe when installed correctly, and an excellent backup in this current gas climate. It may be slow work in the kitchen when the cylinder is connected to just one burner, and you may need to position that burner in an awkward position in your kitchen, but when push comes to shove, a gas cylinder can be a game changer when only deep frying will do. 
Of course, a gas cylinder is not the only solution, because you can always use an:

2. Air fryer for good use

If you are willing to shift away from deep frying and can bear the cost of running one, an air fryer can come to your rescue. You can forget about pakoras and your samosas and spring rolls may not be as crunchy, but you will still be able to whip out something scrumptious without splattering oil anywhere. Bonus? It uses far less oil and will not leave you feeling as uncomfortably full as its deep-fried counterpart. 

3. Microwave porridge

If your gas chooses to cut out at sehri time, there is no need to panic. The microwave is your best friend. You can make a simple bowl of porridge in a microwave by putting together your oats and milk and honey and heating it on high in one- or two-minute spurts until you have your desired consistency. Pair it with an apple or banana and throw in a handful of nuts, and you have the perfect meal that will keep you going until iftar. 

4. Keep it simple!

Cook a simple meal when you have gas such as rice and chicken and have a simple dinner for iftar. You will walk away feeling full without the indigestion that comes with a table full of fried items. Bonus? You can mix the leftover chicken with mayonnaise and cucumber and lettuce to throw together a sandwich full of carbohydrates, protein and vegetables for sehri the next morning when your gas supply abandons you. It may play second fiddle to your paratha and omelette, but it will do.