cooking on vacation

[kimmer]

I had intentions of cooking last year during our stay at Bonnet Creek, but just ended up ordering pizza and take-out the times we weren't eating out at ADRs. This time around I'd like to cook, part of me shudders at that thought since it's my vacation, but at the same time eating out for each and every meal is a bit much - not to mention expensive!

We're definately doing some ADR's again this time around, but I'm also looking for some quick (healthy wouldn't hurt either!) meals ideas. We're a family of 6.

Thanks!!

 

[Brian Noble]

I always have a full kitchen, but very rarely cook. I might get a roast chicken, some frozen veggies, and a loaf of garlic bread or two. If *pressed*, spaghetti and a salad, or maybe even chicken fajitas. But, probably not.

 

[FirestoneRocks]

I had a relative that used to work at Bonnet Creek!!

Kudos to you for wanting to cook on vacation! I never have the energy to do so.

For a family of 6, I would try to do some quicky meals, like spaghetti and meatballs, chicken alfredo..

Good luck!

 

[liamsaunt]

I usually cook a couple of meals back at the rental house. It's nice to take a break from the parks (and the park food), and give the kids a chance to use the pool while I am cooking. I do try and keep it simple, making one meal that the entire group will eat. Some things I have made in the past are: Spaghetti with red sauce, garlic bread, and a salad. Grilled marinated chicken, again with a salad and either crusty bread or mac and cheese. Grilled pizza, pressed sandwiches, and breakfast for dinner are other things I've done. Nothing too complicated that would require tons of cleanup. I do always put out salad and/or fruit with whatever I make, because I don't think there are enough vegetables in the food you get at the parks.

 

[Frothy]

We eat in one night, eat out the next. I really love sitting by the pool in the afternoon and then wandering inside and rustling up something for the family. Sometimes I make it plain and simple and other times I do something nicer.

I usually go to Publix to get my groceries but if we're eating out on Sand Lake then we'll pop into Whole Foods and grab the next days meal while we are there.

Any chicken dish is easy to do and grilling steaks on the barbecue at the rental home is always a favorite. I also do simple stuff with pasta or cook a lasagne. I really enjoy cooking when I'm on vacation. Much more than when I'm at home.

 

[Wolfie68]

I am planning on cooking a hearty breakfast every morning to get the day started while everyone gets up and ready to go.

I also plan on making some granola snacks to take with us, trail mix etc

And then I hope to cook dinner a couple nights. We will be there a week and it is with family that lives across country so I am hoping to show off my culinary skills!!

 

[Darcy03231]

We rented a house for 2 weeks one year and ate most of our meals in. We kept it pretty easy. The first day there we made a couple of caserolles in the foil throw away pans and froze them. We also made a big pasta salad, potatoe salad and tossed salad. Most nights we threw something on the grill and had the salads for sides. I also brought a crock pot and we did BBQ pulled pork, Meatballs and sauce (we did a big batch and had meatball subs one night and spaghetti & meatballs another), Mexican chicken, sloppy joes.

 

[softballmom3]

We rented a house for 2 weeks one year and ate most of our meals in. We kept it pretty easy. The first day there we made a couple of caserolles in the foil throw away pans and froze them. We also made a big pasta salad, potatoe salad and tossed salad. Most nights we threw something on the grill and had the salads for sides. I also brought a crock pot and we did BBQ pulled pork, Meatballs and sauce (we did a big batch and had meatball subs one night and spaghetti & meatballs another), Mexican chicken, sloppy joes.

I was also going to respond with the crock pot idea. We played softball in Panama City Beach last summer and it was great to put something in the crock and when we returned from playing it was all just about ready to go . There are tons of healthier recipes you can find online!!!! Sweet N Sour chicken was good that way!!

 

[Kat&Dom]

Last year, we made Chicken Quesadilla's, Mixed Salad, Chicken Taco Salad, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, French Toast, Toasted BLT's, Cheese Nachos with Salsa. We kept a variety of fruit for the kids to grab and to make Smoothies with.

All things were quick and easy and we saved a lot of money.

 

[dyna]

when driving car down I fry up sauage patties, hamburger etc an freeze it then got stuff ready to go once we down there when riding harley down do the cooking the day we arrive mostly.

Breakfast is always in we have either sausage or bacon both cooked in advance an eggs dh will have frozen waffles an I usually have bagel I can get breakfast on the table in less than 10 mins from start to finish.

Either lunch or dinner is in an we have sloppy joes an fries an veggie, hamburger helper an veggies, chicken breast baked tater an veggies etc at least 2 of our meals is leftovers midweek an usually last day before we leave to come home.

 

[swilshire]

We plan lots of "heat and eat" type meals. Either we spend our first day cooking up some things to be reheated later (pot of chili, pan of baked chicken, some type of potatoes) or we hit Sams Club and buy frozen foods that can just be stuck in the oven.

Sheila

 

[Minnie J]

Me and my friends bought food from Walmart and cooked frozen dinners and piza and stuff and that cut so many costs for us!! This time around were going to do the same thing

 

[kimmer]

thanks for all the suggestions guys! i'll definately try to incorporate some cooekd meals this time around. and i even like the crock-pot idea. i used that quite a bit here at home and never thought to bring it with us.

any great recipes out there for crock-pot? anything nice and light. don't really like heavy, hot meals when it's hot out if you know what i mean. up here in canada i use the crock-pot a lot in the winter - great for warm, hearty meals on a cold winter day!

 

[softballmom3]

Here is a website I have used before to get healthier crock pot recipes.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_slow_cooker_recipes

 

[laurafergie]

With my large family, we typically rent a house or condo and always eat breakfast and supper in. If we didn't do that, our vacations would be few and far between! I don't mind cooking as long as someone else does the clean up.

Our upcoming trip to Disney at Christmas for 10 days food budget is $500 and that includes a character meal for all 7 of us.

The secret is planning in advance. I usually make up a spreadsheet for each day, then each meal. Then meals we have ADRS are filled in. Then I plan out suppers in detail, down to the condiments. I have it packed in a cooler and a few boxes and we're ready to go.

We usually have for example:
*Grilled steak, chicken or pork chops - baked potatoes (microwave), grilled veggies and salad.
*Spaghetti and Italian Sausage with Garlic Bread
*Lasagna
*Crock-pot - Pulled Pork and Coleslaw, Pot Roast and Veggies, Chicken and Dumplings etc....

Breakfast for us is cereal, yogurt and bagels - I may cook one big breakfast like pancakes and bacon and eggs.

Lunch - If DH and I eat breakfast - we usually don't eat lunch, but I do pack it for the younger kids several times. They like things like - peanut butter, Chips, Campbells, Soup at Hands and Salad, then we have a picnic. The older kids have to fend for themselves.

On vacation we also will have Chips, pretzels, dip and pop for snacks at the house also.