Sunshine cooking sure beats slaving over a hot stove…

Summer’s here. The temperature’s on the up and up. Lazing by the pool is high on the agenda or perhaps parking off in the garden within easy reach of a long, cool drink is your idea of fun in the sun.

What you don’t need is a couple of hours in the kitchen, slaving over a hot stove. You’ve got to eat, but culinary inspiration shouldn’t involve that amount of perspiration.

And there’s no reason why it should.

South Africa’s latest lifestyle accessory means cooking is no sweat.

Sunshine cooking is in and the solar cooking box is all set to transform the South African approach to dining al fresco. The sun, your power socket in the sky, provides all the heat you need. 

Solar power has been harnessed for centuries. The Egyptians used it to bake bricks. You can use it for baking, roasting, stewing; even for making desserts.

Newly launched Sun Ray Cooker, now proudly manufactured in South Africa, is at the forefront of the local trend to non-polluting, eco-friendly solar cooking.

You simply place the food in a black pot or a pot wrapped in Sun Ray Cooker Foil, pop into the open box and leave in the sun. The patented Sun Ray Cooker is a slow cooker, so there’s no need to worry about over-cooking.

There’s no fuss, no rush and no need to stir. Most fans of sunshine cuisine put the food in the box in the morning and leave it until mid-day.

You do your thing and the solar cooking box does the rest. You can cook in your garden or take your Sun Ray Cooker out for a picnic. It only weighs a little over 3kg, yet still holds enough food to serve six.

Herman Warren, Sun Ray Cooker’s founder, says the safe, no-smoke, no-fire method of open-air cooking brings a new dimension to outdoor living.

“The traditional South African braai will always have its place in the sun,” says Herman, “but solar cooking is a clean, convenient and eco-friendly alternative.

“The food cooks naturally in its own juices. The results are nutritious and delicious. You can cook a complete meal – the meat and veg, the bread and desserts to follow.”

In October, South Africa enjoys an average of 8.9 hours of sunshine a day. In November, this goes up to 9.9 hours. Solar cooking usually takes only one to three hours.

§  People warming to the solar cooking concept can visit www.sunraycooker.co.za for hot recipe tips and information on how to get the most out of their Sun Ray Cooker.