Have you heard of The Wonderbag? True to its name, this bag really does create wonders!
This bag is a revolutionary non-electric slow cooker that enables you to cook a variety of dishes, from rice, to curries and even desserts!
The Wonderbag was invented in 2008 by Cape Town entrepreneur, Sarah Collins, and is locally manufactured in Durban.
Her inspiration came when she wanted to create something to aid people during loadshedding.
The Bag allows food to slow cook for up to 12 hours without any electricity or any additional energy sources, making use of the ancient technology of heat retention cooking.
This simple concept goes back 100 years and has been perfected by Wonderbag to suit the modern kitchen.
It works by giving your pot of food a kick-start on a high heat (either on the stove or over the fire), allowing it to come to a rapid boil, and then transferring the pot to the Wonderbag, closing it tightly to seal in the heat, let it do its thing, and voila!
This bag has many benefits and it allows you to save up to 50% of your energy costs.
The food is nutritious, colourful and delicious and not having to watch the pot on the stove while it cooks is an extra added bonus.
Today I would like to introduce the face behind ‘Wonderbag Cape Town’, Fahmieda Barends, who is very passionate about helping others on their food journey, and who started the popular Facebook group, Swop Cooking Ideas.
The Wonderbag is ideal for every home, for informal food traders and food delivery companies.
Picnics and camping will never be the same again because your homemade meals can be cooking safely in the boot of your car while you enjoy your day out.
“Your food would be hot in your Wonderbag and no reheating is required,” says Fahmieda.
Wonderbag is also a non-electric freezer.
Items can remain frozen for up to two days making it a game changer for campers with limited freezer space.
Guidelines for cooking in your Wonderbag
- Rice 5 minutes on the stove, 1 hour in the Wonderbag.
- Chicken 20 minutes on stove, 2 hours in the Wonderbag.
- Lamb 20 minutes on the stove, 3-4 hours in the Wonderbag.
- Beef 45 minutes on the stove, 3-4 hours in the Wonderbag.
- Dhal and lentils 15 min on stove, 2-3 hours in the Wonderbag.
- Beans/Samp 20 minutes on the stove, 3 hours in the Wonderbag.
Lamb Akni
Recipe Credit Fahmieda Barends via Fb Live @dailyvoice
Ingredients
1 kg lamb pieces
1 large onion chopped
1 tomato chopped
1 tablespoon garlic and ginger paste
1 tablespoon Cumin
1 tablespoon Coriander
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon chilli powder
2 cups of fragrant white rice
(Rinsed 2 ½ teaspoon salt
½ bunch rinsed chopped fresh Coriander
1 cup Yoghurt /Amasi
1 tablespoon of butter
2 - 3 large potatoes quartered
3 ½ - 4 cups boiling water
Method
Braise Onion until soft.
Add meat, garlic and ginger paste and braise for 10 minutes.
Add tomato, all the spices and salt.
Add potatoes and half cup of water
Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat
Add rice, rest of boiling water, yoghurt, butter and fresh Coriander and bring to high heat and rapid boil for 5 minutes.
Place into the Wonderbag for 3 to 4 hours to continue slow cooking.
For the demo on this dish head on over to @dailyvoice Facebook page.
Simple Beef Stew
Recipe Credit Wonderbagsa.co.za
Ingredients
1kg Beef stew pieces
1 large onion
1 large tomato (optional)
3 medium potatoes (peeled and cubed)
4 carrots
2 cups of frozen peas.
Salt, pepper seasoning of choice.
Method
Braise 1 large chopped onion in oil and add 1 kg stewing beef pieces.
Once meat is browned add salt and pepper and some stock and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add quartered potatoes, a few sliced carrots and some frozen peas.
Place in Wonderbag and allow to slow cook for at least 3 hours.
Serve with rice
The longer you leave it the more tender the meat becomes
Butternut Soup
Recipe Credit @wonderbagworld.com
Ingredients
1 butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 yellow onions, finely diced
3 Tbsp of olive oil
1 tsp fresh thyme
½ tsp cinnamon
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste
½ c heavy cream (optional)
Method
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat
Add the onions and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes)
Add the butternut squash, thyme and stock
Increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered for about 5 min
Place your lidded pot in the Wonderbag for a minimum of 2 hours to finish cooking
Add cream if using
Purée using a staff-blender or food processor
Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve
Chicken Pilau
Recipe Credit @sprinklesandspicect
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1 large onion chopped
1½-2kg chicken pieces
1 tablespoon garlic and ginger
1 ½ cups double cream yoghurt
4 heaped teaspoons cumin
1 heaped teaspoon coriander
1 heaped teaspoon fennel
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
Salt to taste
1 cup lentils soaked in 3 cups boiling water overnight
5 potatoes peeled and cut in 4
5 boiled eggs
3 cups rice and 3 teaspoons salt
Fresh coriander and chillies
Method
Marinade the chicken with the garlic and ginger, spices and yogurt.
Braise the onion in butter until golden brown.
Add the marinated chicken, potatoes, 2 cups of water and cook for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes add the lentils, rinsed rice, salt, boiled eggs, 2 cups of water and mix through.
Reduce heat and simmer until it boils.
Once it boils add 2 cups boiling water and stir. Transfer to your Wonderbag and cover tightly.
Allow to steam and slow cook for 3-4 hours or until you ready to serve.
Peaches n Cream Rice Pudding
Recipe Credit @wonderbagworld.com
Ingredients
2 Yellow peaches
3/4 c Long grain white rice
3 c Oat or soy milk
1/2 c Maple syrup
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1 Pinch of sea salt
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1/3 c Coconut cream
Method
Puree one of the yellow peaches.
Place rice, peach puree, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, sea salt, vanilla and coconut cream in a medium-large pot on medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.
Once at a boil, simmer on low-medium heat for 10 minutes.
Place pot inside Wonderbag for 2.5-3 hours.
When ready to serve, slice second peach and serve rice pudding topped with the sliced peach and a spoonful of coconut cream.
For more info or to find out where you can purchase The Wonderbag Follow on Facebook @Cooking Bag Revolution, Instagram @wonderbagct, website www.wonderbagsa.co.za or via WhatsApp 072 834 3888.