Anyone cook on vacation? I'm looking for ideas....

[Jacksmom99]

We are taking our first family vacation alone, just me, DH, DS(4) and DD (who'll be 15mo). It's about time!!!! Anyway, we are really going to try and watch our budget this summer (try to stick to it) and thought we could really eat more in the room. Problem number 1) I hate to cook. More often than not we eat take out or prepackaged stuff at home. Thus bringing us to problem number 2) since I don't cook a lot, I don't have many menu options. I actually make a great lasagna, but we're going in August and that seems like a pretty heavy meal for hot weather. Anyone have any good, easy, quick recipes that I can whip up after a long day at the park? Any ideas will be greatly appreciated by DH and the kids

Thanks,

 

[ripleysmom]

Spaghetti is quick and easy. Maybe Hamburger Helper. Buy some frozen pizzas.

 

[karebear1]

How about hot dogs, tuna/macaroni salad- make it in the early morning and refrigerate it all day- it'll be nice and cold for you when you come home and it's minimal prep time too. You could even do a pasta salad ( just add peperoni or ham to it), or a fresh fruit salad- just do everything the night before or the morning of. Go to the grocery store and buy some fried chicken- it's good cold after a long day in that hot HOT sun. Heck for that matter- you could probably buy a turkey leg just before leaving the MK and eat that. How about buying some lunch meat and lettuce/ tomatoes and making subs- or go to Subway- if you go on Tuesdays it 2 for Tuesdays- buy 1 12' get the other free. ANd don't forget there's always good ol' PBJ and ice cold milk too!

 

[TiggerFreak]

The last two trips we made baked mostacholi in those disposable aluminum pans. Toss in a few bags of salad, a couple loaves of crusty bread and you can feed an army of Park Paratroopers

We have had 10+ for this menu at VWL in a 2br, very inexpensive and way easy on the preparation. It looks like it could become a tradition.

 

[bub]

We always eat meals in the room, but don't wear outselves out cooking. We buy a chicken at Publix (already cooked) and some Stouffers' side dishes. We eat the leftover chicken a second night as sandwiches or with a big salad. Frozen burritos and some refried beans make another dinner. We do sandwiches for lunch, and simple stuff for breakfast, although last summer we did make pancakes and eggs. We spend about $110 at Publix for our family of 4 for most meals for the week. We do buy some fun desserts (make your own sundae stuff) and other treats, since we are on vacation. We usually eat out only a few times - we're not that crazy about Disney food, and we really enjoy the break back in the room (we usually go in August also).

 

[cgcw]

I brought our crock pot to Hilton Head last summer. I bought a couple of roasts - boneless pork roast and sirloin roast. Tossed one in the crock pot and by the time we were ready for dinner, so was the meat. The side dishes were easy too. A bagged salad and a boxed potato mix (scallopped, I think). Nothing fancy. I also hate to cook at home but found that at HH it's easier for us. At WDW, my DH is the one who prefers to eat out so we didn't do any cooking there last trip. Part of the reason we didn't this trip was we stayed first at the AKL and then at BCV and I didn't want to take the time to stop at a grocery store. Next trip, I'll plan on doing at least a couple meals in the villa.

 

[yasuern]

We buy a whole chicken and roast it the 1st day we are there - its good for chicken in a salad, chicken in pasta, chicken salad sandwiches. Also we buy some feta cheese, olives, grape tomato, cucumber, pickles,peppers, saladmix and good bread - a little chopping of the veggies - each into a ziplick bag with a drop of lemon juice(helps keep it fresh), and boil a box of pasta - also stored after cooking into a ziplock bag - and you have the makings for any kind of salad in minutes. We also buy some frozen pizza, hotdogs(ballpark singles) and microwave Fr Fries for the kids. Breakfast we have bagels, cereal easy stuff. We also buy cold cuts for sandwiches or to make a chefs salad.

 

[JoEllen]

We stop at the Super Albertsons (off Orange Blossom exit) and usually get a roast chicken as well as spaghetti sauce & noodles, Betty Crocker complete dinners in a box (not bad), Alfredo sauce that I use with Albertsons ready made meatballs over fettucinni and of course the ever popular frozen cardboard pizzas.

I can't believe Rich hasn't given his famous pig's feet recipe yet! Must be hiding it under lock and key......

 

[MELSMICE]

Wow - can I come eat with some of you DISers!!

We usually just do spaghetti, frozen pizza, sandwiches, chicken fingers. We don't go all out like some people do. We will just get some frozen items. We will also bring back the leftovers from dinners & have them for lunches.

I have to say that we always do breakfast in the room. It's just so convenient & saves time instead of going to breakfast every morning.

When we are at the pool we always do sandwiches or leftovers for lunch.

We try to save a little money this way but I don't put a lot of thought into it. We're on vacation so I do enjoy going out for meals also.

 

[LisaR]

This is our favorite, quick meal on vacation. We buy a bag of frozen, skinless, boneless chicken breasts. They cook up VERY quick. We will cook them up while getting ready in the morning. Then we cut them into chunks, throw them in a ziploc with some marinade and stick them in the 'fridge. In the evening, we mix the chicken in with store bought bagged salad. It is great, quick and pretty healthy. We usually have some good bread and wine to go with it.

Lisa

 

[scootersmom]

Melsmice--- one of my sisters lives in your town. I grew up there, as a matter of fact... went to Hillview Elementary.

As for the cooking suggestions, here's one of my fast, easy favorites.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the broiler with microwave baked potatoes and a bag of salad greens or frozen veggies in alfredo or cheese sauce. We like bbq sauce, lemon pepper or a marinade on the chicken, but it's also good without. Our DS9 likes bbq sauce for dunking his. Make sure you line the broiler with foil for easier cleanup. You can have this on the table from start to finish in under a half hour.

Has anyone mentioned sloppy joes or tacos? Fast and easy too!

 

[EAP'sDAD]

Since we drive everytime we usually make up some different foods and freeze them. Then when we are down in WDW we simply take something out in the morning and defrost it. Then after the day we sit down and eat and it gives us a time to relax and not have to worry about lines or PS or going anywhere. This is also the perfect time to plan the next day's activities if you haven't already.
The crock pot idea was great, me and the DW love that and are already planning on what to have when we go down in June.

 

[Jacksmom99]

Thanks for the great ideas....I'm already planning the menu and grocery list!

 

[tss2]

We like easy food. Here's our last trip's menu:

tacos and taco salad
spaghetti
pizza - frozen or with the refrigerator crust
pbj
chicken breasts with italian dressing and those noodle mixes

Of course cereal and toast for breakfast.

THen you can really enjoy eating out for lunch!

 

[MELSMICE]

scootersmom - talk about a small world!

My children just finished attending Hillview Elementary school last year. My youngest dd's are now in the new William St. School. I live right around the corner from Hillview off of Pleasantview!!

Did you attend LHS? My best friend graduated from there in '82.

Back on topic - I recently heard a suggestion to take a sandwich maker if you are staying in a regular hotel room without any kitchen facilities.

 

[anniet]

Bagged salad and Chicken Voila! from the frozen food section at Publix.

So easy and so good!

 

[scootersmom]

Just had another thought on this. We've used the Lloyd's buckets of bbq before too. Pretty good, and basically heat 'n eat. I believe they come in pork, beef and chicken. It's also something you can freeze and take, especially if you're driving.

melsmice-- Very small world indeed! We used to live on Lydia Lane in Cheektowaga and rode the bus to Hillview and to the Jr. High near downtown. I don't think the Jr. High is called that any more. I know two of my sister's kids have gone to Williams St. school. They live very near the high school. I know exactly where Pleasantview is. I never attended the high school there as we moved to Orlando for my 9th grade year. I heard that Mr. Pascucci passed away recently.... my band teacher in the Jr. High. He was wonderful... a great teacher. Maybe we should be discussing this in a pm or email? Sorry, all.

 

[MELSMICE]

scootersmom - I will PM you.