Szavanna: Hi there Ishtar, after that fantastic discussion on Ishtar basics :-) in my previous interview ( and the intro about Niger and the Eden foundation) - let me carry on with a few questions on solar energy and solar ovens.

You say in your blog :

"So somewhere after supper, I normally go into the kitchen and put together what seems to be a good mix. I really enjoy cooking and the solar oven has been an intriguing challenge as you have to rethink, as slow cooked food needs to be positioned in a certain way, and you also have to think about differences in texture and moisture. The best thing about solar cooked food however is neither that it’s time consuming or cheap, but the amazing richness is taste that you get!"

Can you please tell us about your solar oven - how it works.

Ishtar: My solar oven is very simple! It's a wooden box with a folded lid. You open the box, put in your black casserole, close the box, and then unfold a mirror like surface towards the sun. You then leave the solar oven until it's time to get out your food. If something is cooking for a long time, then it might be a good idea to go turn the solar oven towards the sun (when then sun has moved) to get maximum solar energy.


Szavanna: Can you describe the whole process of making one of your favourite dishes in the oven - from starting with the ingredients, till you take out the finished meal from the oven.

Ishtar: My personal favourite is probably my green-curry & peanut casserole. On the night before, I just chop the veggies that I want to use, put them all in a black casserole and put it in the fridge over night. In the morning, I put the casserole in the solar oven and leave it for a number of hours. I will probably have set out another casserole as well with rice or sorghum. When the dish is done, I take it out and add some yoghurt, peanut butter, milk and Eden nuts - and there you have it! Ready to be served...


Szavanna: Here in South Africa I heard funny stories from some people using solar ovens in the townships. Since it takes a long time to cook the food - the oven has to stay in the sun for a long time unattended - and many occassions by the time one went back to check on the food in the solar oven - it was gone :-) - I mean to food was gone - the oven was standing empty - does this ever happen to you when cooking ?

Ishtar: Lol, no that never happens because the solar cooker stands in the middle of our garden, and we have a good guard dog...


Szavanna: Using solar panels in Niger - how popular solar panels and solar ovens are in Niger - can this be a possible source of energy on a bigger scale?

Ishtar: I hear that Niger has the best hours of sunshine in the world, but solar panels and solar ovens are surprisingly scarce... It's going to take a while to change the mindset, but that's how all things develop in Africa - with patience!


Szavanna: In Africa lack of electricity is still a huge problem - what are your thoughts on possible solutions for providing electricity in all households?

Ishtar: I don't see the need for electricity on the same level as the need for nutritious food and a healthy diet, so I'll get back to you on that one when the kids in Niger have a surplus of food! :-)