The Electric Kitchen: Storm prep includes recipes for when power goes out

The key to weathering a hurricane or tropical storm is to be prepared, and that includes stocking up on an emergency supply of nonperishable foods to last 14 days for each person in your household. With hurricane season officially underway in Hawaii, it’s time to think about what you’d eat during an emergency should you not have electricity.

Hawaiian Electric Co.’s free “Handbook for Emergency Preparedness” can help you plan ahead with a suggested supply list, sample menus and recipes in addition to tips on food safety, electrical safety and other emergency preparedness information. Pick up a copy at our customer service office, 1001 Bishop St., or at any Oahu City Mill location; download a copy online at hawaiianelectric.com/prepare; or call to order a copy, 543-7511.

This week we offer some recipes that could be prepared without power, using canned goods and other nonperishable items.

CURRIED CHICKEN AND ARTICHOKE SALAD

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 1 (10-ounce) can chunk white-meat chicken, drained
• 1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• >> Dressing:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a bowl, toss chicken and artichoke hearts.

In another bowl, blend dressing ingredients. Gently stir into chicken mixture. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 130 calories, 7 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 500 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 14 g protein.

CHICKEN PINEAPPLE POPPERS

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in pineapple juice
• 2 (12-ounce) cans fully cooked chunk chicken breasts, drained and flaked
• 15 individual mayonnaise packets
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 dozen crackers
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (preferably unsalted; optional)

Drain pineapple, reserving juice to drink.

In a small bowl combine pineapple, chicken, mayonnaise and pepper. Mix well.

Top each cracker with a teaspoon of chicken salad. Garnish with chopped nuts if desired. Serves 4.

>> NOTE: Mayonnaise packets do not need to be refrigerated until they are opened, making them great for an emergency-preparedness condiment.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving (not including salt to taste): 680 calories, 44 g total fat, 7 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 1,350 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 35 g protein.

MEDITERRANEAN TUNA AND GARBANZO BEAN SALAD

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 2 (5-ounce) cans albacore tuna, drained
• 2 (15-ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/2 cup jarred roasted red bell peppers, diced
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 4 teaspoons dried minced onions
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine. Let sit at room temperature approximately 30 minutes, to allow onions and parsley to soften and flavors to blend.

Serve at room temperature. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving (not including salt to taste): 450 calories, 20 g total fat, 2.5 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 700 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrate, 12 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 26 g protein.

PEANUT BUTTER FRUIT SPREAD

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/4 cup golden raisins, chopped

Blend together peanut butter and honey; stir in dried fruit. Store mixture in tightly covered container at room temperature.

Serve as a spread for bread, muffins, biscuits or graham crackers.

Approximate nutritional information, per tablespoon: 80 calories, 5 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, no cholesterol, 50 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 2 g protein.

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.