What do you cook?

[MommaBerd]

I realize this may be somewhat off-topic, but given that one of the advantages to staying off-site is that you can cook your own meals, I thought maybe you all would have some ideas. I am planning to prepare several of our dinners at the condo. What do you like to cook that doesn't require all kinds of ingredients? I know this probably sounds silly because I cook almost every night at home. But, I thought I'd fish for some more/different - and maybe even healthy - ideas, that are easily "portable." I was thinking tacos, chicken & rice, maybe meatloaf (make ahead and bring it with us). I've also only just started using a crockpot and was thinking that might be something I could bring to use.

Thanks!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I am interested in some good (yet simple) ideas too. We will be doing our first two-week trip in August 2014, so there's no way we'll be eating out every meal for two weeks. Our stomachs can only handle so much restaurant food .

We're flying, though, so no cooking and bringing anything with us. No crock pot in the villa, either, that I know of. We will have access to an outdoor grill, though.

 

[Ametista]

I always buy milk, cereal, toaster waffles and syrup, juice boxes, good bakery bread with a ton of sub sandwich type fixins, granola bars, frozen pizza (it IS vacation, and I cook no more than I have to), cheese for crackers, corn tortillas, eggs, frozen vegetables, fruit, and a couple microwaveable mac and cheese or lasagna type things from the frozen department. I don't waste my whole time cooking and we do eat out sometimes, but its usually Earl of Sandwich or similar cost.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Here is a yummy one with very few ingredients. We call it Greek Chicken and my picky teens love it.

Marinate:
- boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into big strips
- quartered purple onion
- cherry tomatoes
in Lawry's Balsamic Herb marinade for at least an hour, longer is better

Grill chicken, purple onions and cherry tomatoes on the grill ( a little bit of char is good)

Serve over Rice a Roni Rice Pilaf (made per instructions)
Top with Feta Cheese

It is sooo good and very easy!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We spent 10 days at Windsor Hills in August. On the days when we decided to have dinner at the townhouse, it was usually because we had a big lunch and or/late snacks in a park. No one was really hungry enough for a full meal. Plus, by the time we left the park and got back to the house, it was 8:00 p.m. or later. When we did our shopping at the beginning of the trip, we bought a few "late dinner/snack" items for each person. My teen boys were happy with peanut butter and bread for sandwiches, plus crackers or chips. I had a few dinners of cheese, crackers and grapes. My husband ate the same English muffins with peanut butter that he had for breakfast. My sister picked up a few of those bagged salads that include a packet of dressing, plus some fruit. One night we picked up pizza on the way home. We also had some cookies and snacky items in the house (it was vacation, after all!).

After spending the day at a park, I wasn't interested in cooking, and no one was interested in sitting down for a full meal. We enjoyed just grabbing stuff from the kitchen and eating in front of the TV with our feet up!

 

[aubriee]

In Sept I stayed solo at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I had planned to stay in most nights, so wanted to be able to relax with an easy dinner in the room and a good book. The day I arrived I went to the store to pick up a few things. I had grapes, plums, oranges, and beef jerky for breakfast/snacks. I also picked up a few things from the deli like chicken fried rice, boneless hot wings, fried chicken, potato salad, and a frozen supreme pizza. In the freezer section I picked up a pkg of teriyaki marinated salmon filets, a bag of microwaveable asparagus, another bag of microwaveable summer mix vegetables, 1/2 gallon ice cream, then 1/2 gallon juice, box of wine coolers, a tray with cheese, crackers, and little slices of salami/ham, and a container of sushi.

When we go back to Bonnet Creek in Dec I plan picking up some of the same things, plus hot cocoa mix, a 2L soda, dozen eggs, precooked sausage and bacon, muffins, bread, weiners, hot dog buns, sauerkraut, with a small bottle mustard for hot dogs, a bottle of Italian or Ranch dressing to marinate chicken in to cook on the grill, some chicken legs (or leg quarters) and steaks (again to cook on the grill), along with a couple of potatoes or sweet potatoes to bake to go with the chicken and steaks, bag of salad mix, maybe some Ramen noodles, a box or two of macaroni & cheese, 1/2 gallon milk, dry cereal, and maybe a pan of frozen lasagna or enchiladas.

 

[taylorcpa]

We are planning on having sandwich stuff available for lunches and for dinner we will have easy stuff like sloppy joes, Stouffers, and a meatloaf I will bring from home. We will utilize convenience foods like premade mashed potatoes and other easy frozen veggies. These are quick and easy meals with little cleanup so I won't feel like I am cooking!

 

[blessedby3]

We are staying for 2 weeks at WBC in June. I am also trying to figure out what would be quick and easy to fix for some meals.

I was thinking spaghetti, bagged salad and bread one night and tacos another. I will be looking at other suggestions on this thread because I really dont want to cook, but I dont want sandwiches either for dinner (we will be taking sandwich type stuff in the parks for lunch).

I am also buying a $25 gift card to restaurants in the area each time DH gets paid. I already have $50 towards Olive Garden, $50 Chilis, $50 Cracker Barrel, and $35 Steak n Shake. I am getting Chick Fil A next. We wont eat out everyday for 2 weeks straight, so I need to fill some other days with condo meals.

I would really love some easy crockpot meals so I wouldnt have to fix a lot when we come in...but they need to have only a few ingredients as well so I dont have to buy a bunch of things.

 

[greenclan67]

We are staying for 2 weeks at WBC in June. I am also trying to figure out what would be quick and easy to fix for some meals.

I was thinking spaghetti, bagged salad and bread one night and tacos another. I will be looking at other suggestions on this thread because I really dont want to cook, but I dont want sandwiches either for dinner (we will be taking sandwich type stuff in the parks for lunch).

I am also buying a $25 gift card to restaurants in the area each time DH gets paid. I already have $50 towards Olive Garden, $50 Chilis, $50 Cracker Barrel, and $35 Steak n Shake. I am getting Chick Fil A next. We wont eat out everyday for 2 weeks straight, so I need to fill some other days with condo meals.

I would really love some easy crockpot meals so I wouldnt have to fix a lot when we come in...but they need to have only a few ingredients as well so I dont have to buy a bunch of things.

I know some people would think I am nuts doing this. But when we stay for a 2 week stay, the first day, I either buy a big roasting chicken or a turkey! I cook it the first day there. If we are late. The first day there, we are usually swimming, checking out the resort, so never that far away. I will also throw a roast of beef in. I slice it all, and throw it in the fridge. Sometimes a ham. Then I buy the bag salad mix, cheese, wraps, bread, some micro steamed veggies. Then they can eat all week. Yes it is some work the first day, but then I don't have to cook after that for the most part. We always eat breakie in. Cereal, eggs, frozen waffles and so on.

 

[beakerz]

1pkg italian sausages (remove casings)
3 Lg carrots
1-2 containers good chicken stock
1 onion
3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 sm can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
some fresh basil leaves (a small handfull)
s&P to taste

dice onion, slice carrots
remove casings from sausages, fry in a large pot with a little oil (so it doesn't stick)
add vegetables and fry for 2-3 min
add liquid ingredients

simmer until carrots are cooked

remove from heat, add some finely sliced basil leaves.


Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.

one pot, one pan, one cutting board.

 

[babycrazy]

This awesome thanks! We are going for our 1st time and I was wondering the same thing. What to do? We are flying so won't have a crock pot but for those of you that do I have a great yummy recipe.
Taco soup
1 can pinto beans
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 can diced Ortega chilies (small, around 6oz size)
2. 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
1pkg dry ranch dsg mix
1/4 to 1/2 pkg taco seasoning. (Recipe call for a whole pkg but it is way to spicy)
1med onion
1lb ground beef or turkey
Brown onion and ground beef add to CP
Empty all cans into the crock pot. Do not drain the cans. The liquid in the cans becomes the soup.
Cook on low all day or about 4 hrs on high. It's all cooked so u are actually just warming it. I have done it in a pan. It turns out fine.
Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips. It can probably stretch to 2 meals. We have 5 in our family. It freezes well also.
Every thing we ever bring it to it wins the top award. Everyone loves it!
Elizabeth

 

[asmit4]

pasta bake:
any kind of noodle- usually use rigatoni - 1.5 boxes
1 jar of any spaghetti sauce
4 tablespoons butter
1 package sliced cheese (mozzarella, provolone)

Cook noodles, mix in butter and spaghetti sauce. Toss in 13x9, top with cheese, bake til top is melted/bubbly. It's more fun than spaghetti and easy

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I know some people would think I am nuts doing this. But when we stay for a 2 week stay, the first day, I either buy a big roasting chicken or a turkey! I cook it the first day there. If we are late. The first day there, we are usually swimming, checking out the resort, so never that far away. I will also throw a roast of beef in. I slice it all, and throw it in the fridge. Sometimes a ham. Then I buy the bag salad mix, cheese, wraps, bread, some micro steamed veggies. Then they can eat all week. Yes it is some work the first day, but then I don't have to cook after that for the most part. We always eat breakie in. Cereal, eggs, frozen waffles and so on.

I don't think you're nuts, but I do think you're freakin' incredible!!!

I am lucky if I can drag my lazy fanny out of the pool on our first day of vacation!!!!

 

[MommaBerd]

^^^^^ I agree!!

These are fantastic ideas and recipes!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[greenclan67]

Lol. I am a cook. Love to. Just today I made an extreme chocolate cake with chocolate gnache for one of my daycare Moms who is 40 today. With 5 boys in tow. I started doing that because my kids are picky but healthy eaters. Love fresh fruits, veggies, meat and cheeses. If you gave them an option they would rather eat a wrap then eat cake. Weird I know. My oldest has become someone that will not eat if she thinks she is fat. She is 14. So I watch her very closely. This way I know she eats cause its all stuff she likes. A little work at the start but in the end it is worth it.

 

[DawnM]

We are on our last day.

This trip we have had:

Tacos (ground beef with taco seasoning.)
Nachos
Frozen Pizza
PF Chang's frozen food and rice (much better than most Chinese take out!)
Large Salad, polish sausage, rice
Hamburgers, frozen fries

Other than that we have gone out or had take out or eaten leftovers.

Not the healthiest, but trying to do easy!

Dawn

 

[disney2014plan]

Leek and potato soup with bacon

(quantities rather vague as it's a bit made up)

3-4 leeks
2kg potatoes
1 large onion
Chicken stock (stock cube is fine, or if cooking a chicken as soneone has done, use this as the base)
1 pack of bacon

Peel and chop potatoes, onion and leek and put in a large pan. Pour in enough chicken stock to cover them and simmer until veg soft, then add bacon, and cook for a few more minutes. I don't add salt as between the stock and the bacon there is plenty, but I do add pepper.

Whizz with a stick blender and serve with rolls/fresh bread.

 

[jsmla]

We mostly camped at Ft Wilderness so I cooked and froze before we left:

Gumbo/rice
Red gravy/meatballs
3 Bean Chili/baked potatoes
Red beans/rice
Veggie lasagna

I also froze pre-formed burgers and chicken in marinade to grill. We'd have baked beans with these and salads with most meals although I sometimes did carrots or a frozen veggie for a side.


I usually made a grocery run for produce and milk while DH set up the camper. I did use a lot of shortcuts-paper plates, disposable baking pans, etc. to make things easier.

 

[ready123go]

Breakfast is easy, lunch we have out, dinner takes the most thought/ work.

PP said they roast a chicken or turkey - instead I just buy the roast chicken at the deli. If I am really ambitious I buy frozen chicken breast, season w/ salt & pepper and grill them. Put in a container and reheat rest of the week.

Also buy eggs & boil maybe half.

Also buy big container of spinach (salads, steamed, in eggs, etc.) and Birdseye Steamables (steaming veggies or brown rice in a bag).

Purchase cut fruit bowl, condiments, cheeses, additional starches, snacks & drinks.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

We stay for 2 weeks so we like to purchase ready made meals from Sam's Club that we simply reheat for dinners and some lunches. They have some that are frozen (lasagna, chicken fried rice, sweet & sour chicken), and some that are fresh (in a refrigerated case -- enchiladas, sushi, salmon, meatloaf, etc.). We also like to purchase large packages of chicken breasts and steaks that we grill and keep for future meals. To round things out we buy several bagged salads and tons of fresh fruit. (We go through about 5 lbs. of fruit a day).

We have a hearty breakfast everyday in the townhouse and we always buy a variety of breakfast foods like bacon, eggs, toast, hash browns, cereal, bagels, cream cheese, peanut butter, nutella, jelly, etc. I don't mind cooking breakfast, but sometimes dinner is a little stressful because we're usually coming home from being out all day and everyone is hungry, so having some ready made meals makes things a little easier.