Need some kitchenette dinner ideas...

[SDSorority]

Hi all. I need some easy dinner ideas for cooking in a studio villa. Anything mini-fridge/microwave/toaster friendly We do like to go out to eat at WDW, don't get me wrong. They're so good with our food allergies. But, we also get tired of feeling like we're always in a restaurant, and it gets pretty expensive!!! We're staying in a studio villa via renting points, so the bulk of our vacation money is going toward the room, not meals out.

Any ideas on mini-fridge/microwave/toaster friendly meals would be wonderful!

[HM]

My DD and I stayed in a timeshare unit a couple times. We just found quick frozen meals (Bertolli, Paul Newman, Stouffers) at the grocery and added salad for dinner. I don't want to cook, but we liked having a really inexpensive meals in our rooms some nights.

[Marionnette]

Originally Posted by SDSorority

Hi all. I need some easy dinner ideas for cooking in a studio villa. Anything mini-fridge/microwave/toaster friendly We do like to go out to eat at WDW, don't get me wrong. They're so good with our food allergies. But, we also get tired of feeling like we're always in a restaurant, and it gets pretty expensive!!! We're staying in a studio villa via renting points, so the bulk of our vacation money is going toward the room, not meals out.

Any ideas on mini-fridge/microwave/toaster friendly meals would be wonderful!

Not trying to be nosey - and you don't have to answer - but what are your food allergies? It might help us if we know what needs to be eliminated from your menus.

[redrosesix]

One of the perks you get for being in a DVC unit is the ability to barbeque (like most timeshare resorts). It lets you stay outside while you cook and eat instead of being stuck in your unit making meals. Our favourite meal is steak and baked potatoes with salad (because you can start the potatoes in the microwave, everything gets to the table at the same time). And if you're into desserts, that's where you'll really save money -- a whole cheesecake doesn't cost much more than a single slice in a restaurant.

[crabbygal902]

Are crockpots allowed? If so, you could start your meal in the crockpot in the mornings before you hit the parks and have dinner waiting on you when you get back to the villa. My favorites are:
cream cheese chicken (chicken breasts, a little chicken broth, a packet of ranch dressing mix. Shred chicken and stir in cream cheese before serving)
bbq beef (london broil and a bottle of your favorite bbq sauce. Sliced onions are optional, and I usually don't add them til halfway through. Shred beef and serve on buns.)

The down-side to this is that the meat may take up a lot of room in the mini-fridge.

Other easy ideas:

order take-out pizza one night (I find that if you shop around for the specials, ordering pizza can be really cheap.)

For cheese quesadillas, you could use your iron on the cotton setting and some shredded cheese and tortillas wrapped in heavy duty aluminum foil. Just be careful not to get food all over the iron!

My son makes an egg mug almost every day for breakfast. (Crack and beat a couple of eggs in a microwave-safe mug that is coated with non-stick spray. Add some salt, pepper and cheese. Cook in microwave for about 2 minutes.)

[SDSorority]

Originally Posted by HM

My DD and I stayed in a timeshare unit a couple times. We just found quick frozen meals (Bertolli, Paul Newman, Stouffers) at the grocery and added salad for dinner. I don't want to cook, but we liked having a really inexpensive meals in our rooms some nights.

The fridge in the studio has a teeeeeeny tiny freezer, but I'm not sure how well it stays frozen. But that's a good idea if it does stay cold!

Originally Posted by Marionnette

Not trying to be nosey - and you don't have to answer - but what are your food allergies? It might help us if we know what needs to be eliminated from your menus.

Not nosy at all!! I'm gluten, soy, and cranberry free, and hubs is gluten, and stevia free. Generally I can adapt most recipes to fit our dietary needs, though.




Thanks for the great ideas so far, everybody! I was thinking baked potatoes topped with bacon, veggies, and sour cream might be a good option.... salad or chopped veggies with dip, fruit, BLT's (we got little toaster liner bags to keep our bread from being cross-contaminated), canned soup or chili. We don't have a microwave at home (and it's been a while since I've had one) so that's part of the reason why I need ideas too . I'm a microwaving newbie.

[pixiewings71]

Tacos, always easy and always a hit, I'm sure you use corn tortillas so that makes it easy. You could also do enchiladas, if you wanted to do the meat in a crock pot you can cook it all day and come home to an amazing meal. You could also do pork or beef with BBQ sauce and have that one night (in the crock pot), add some potatoes and veggies and then the next night use the leftovers for tacos or enchiladas. BBQ chicken enchiladas are amazing!!

[SDSorority]

Originally Posted by pixiewings71

Tacos, always easy and always a hit, I'm sure you use corn tortillas so that makes it easy. You could also do enchiladas, if you wanted to do the meat in a crock pot you can cook it all day and come home to an amazing meal. You could also do pork or beef with BBQ sauce and have that one night (in the crock pot), add some potatoes and veggies and then the next night use the leftovers for tacos or enchiladas. BBQ chicken enchiladas are amazing!!

I have not done this but I'll definitely try it at home! Unfortunately we're flying so I won't be bringing a crock pot, or else I totally would do this!!! Great ideas.

[MSSANDRA]

Since you are flying and will need to purchase most things here, I would look for ready prepared thing in the grocery store or deli that you can put together quickly for a good in room meals. Still cheaper than eating out.
We have gotten:
roasted chicken
fried chicken
potato or pasta or fruit salad
sliced meats and cheeses
deli rolls, breads or wraps
pickles
bagged or salad bar salad
deli cookies or desserts

Also:
take out Chinese or pizza

[disykat]

My easiest vacation meal is baked potatoes with canned chili on top. Easy, cheap, no extra ingredients needed, and different from what we're eating when we eat out.

I'd also hit the deli at the grocery store for pre-made soup, sandwiches or salad.

That, plus breakfast in the room, is about as far as I go on vacation!

[Marionnette]

You can make scrambled or poached eggs in the microwave if you want some protein in the morning. You can also purchase pre-cooked bacon and warm it up to eat.

Get some frozen, cooked chicken strips and bagged salad for a nice light meal. Add soup if you want something more substantial.

You can steam vegetables in the microwave. Bring a steamer or buy the frozen ones that come in a bag that you pop in.

Hormel makes some fully-cooked entrees that you can find in the meat case. Beef tips in gravy, pot roast, etc. You would have to check the ingredients to make sure that they don't slip something in that you don't eat. I don't think that they are the healthiest things you can put in your mouth but they aren't the worst, either.

Sandwiches can be a quick, easy dinner on some nights.

IIRC, the studios do not have real dishes with the exception of the coffee cups. Everything is disposable and there are not a lot of plates/napkins/utensils. And there aren't any pots, pans or casserole dishes for your use. If you plan to eat in your room a lot, bring extras paper products and utensils.

You'll might also be frustrated with the lack of counter space, so don't get too ambitious with your meals. It's very small in the studios.

[Mic]

The freezer in the studio is tiny; my daughter was able to fit a few lean cuisines in there and 2 capri suns. For steamed veggies in the microwave, pack a few of those steamer bags you find in the grocery store or the Dollar Tree in your luggage (they are the size of a ziplic bag). Then just pick up fresh veggies once you get to Florida. Baked potatoes in the microwave would be a good side, too, as well as fresh salads and fruit. Sandwiches and canned soup are quick and easy. Pack small things in your luggage: salt and pepper and any spices you might need, the steamer bags, a few "real" spoons and forks, and a few microwaveable bowls should fit easily into a suitcase. I bought two of my kids something called a "Pasta Boat" to use in the micowave in their dorm rooms. It was @ $6, and my daughter's roommate loves it! She makes spaghetti and pasta salad with it all the time. The most important thing to do is make a detailed list of what you will need to purchase once you arrive...you will likely be shopping in a store you are unfamiliar with.

[SDSorority]

Originally Posted by Mic

The freezer in the studio is tiny; my daughter was able to fit a few lean cuisines in there and 2 capri suns. For steamed veggies in the microwave, pack a few of those steamer bags you find in the grocery store or the Dollar Tree in your luggage (they are the size of a ziplic bag). Then just pick up fresh veggies once you get to Florida. Baked potatoes in the microwave would be a good side, too, as well as fresh salads and fruit. Sandwiches and canned soup are quick and easy. Pack small things in your luggage: salt and pepper and any spices you might need, the steamer bags, a few "real" spoons and forks, and a few microwaveable bowls should fit easily into a suitcase. I bought two of my kids something called a "Pasta Boat" to use in the micowave in their dorm rooms. It was @ $6, and my daughter's roommate loves it! She makes spaghetti and pasta salad with it all the time. The most important thing to do is make a detailed list of what you will need to purchase once you arrive...you will likely be shopping in a store you are unfamiliar with.

GREAT advice, thank you!

[pixiewings71]

Originally Posted by SDSorority

I have not done this but I'll definitely try it at home! Unfortunately we're flying so I won't be bringing a crock pot, or else I totally would do this!!! Great ideas.

Ah flying, I wouldn't take a crock pot either. LOL Although you may be able to buy a super cheapo one at Target or Wal-Mart I'd probably skip it as well.
As others have suggested you can buy the pre-cooked meat strips for things like that, and bagged veggies.

Have fun!

[santa's surpriz]

We are huge fans of refrigerator oatmeal. Super good and filling. You can google the recipe or find it on Pinterest.