One person quick, healthy meals with easy clean up.

[Rollin]

Any suggestions?

 

[Spirituallifetime]

I'm in a semi truck most of the time there is no room for cooking stuff so meals have to be easy to make and easy cleanup. &nbsp;For breakfast I usually have oat meal the whole oats not instant (I don't cook the oat meal I soak it in water for a few minutes and put cinnamon on it and walnuts) and I will have some fresh fruit like bananas apples kiwis, most fresh fruit will keep for a few days without refrigeration, I also keep canned fruit for when I can[t get fresh fruit. For lunch and dinner I like to have a big salad the dark green leafy kind that is full of good healthy stuff like spring mix arugula spinach and cut up other veggies and put some red kidney beans (for protein) on it. I don't use any dressing because most of them aren't healthy and the oil from the dressings makes it harder to clean up. Along with the salad I will have some canned or fresh vegetables. I also like to take a can of beans (red kidney or pinto beans) and mix them with a can of diced tomato. Occasionally I will have a tuna fish sandwich. Keeping fresh salad stuff can be difficult it lasts about 2 days or so in a cooler so the salads are not always practical but they are the healthiest food to eat! &nbsp;<br />The dishes rinse with water very easily after these meals!

 

[josephusminimus]

Any suggestions?

I've got a tiny rice steamer with a platform inside to put veggies on while the rice steams, all teflon.&nbsp; Cost me 3 bucks in a thrift store.&nbsp; When I have electricity it cranks out a meal in 15 minutes.&nbsp; Afterward I use a wetwipe inside and the cleanup's done.

 

[VanTrekker]

I like to buy packages of pre-cut fajita veggies (green, yellow, red peppers, onions, etc.) at the grocery store or just assemble the same thing from the salad bar.&nbsp; Then I stir fry about a cup of them with a little salt and pepper (and oil or cooking spray).&nbsp; I toss in some medium thick sliced deli ham or turkey.&nbsp;When the veggies are done, I melt some provolone on the top.&nbsp; It's a quick, easy, fairly cheap low-carb, high veggie breakfast with plenty of protein... Sometimes I eat it in a high fiber wrap for a little more carb action.&nbsp; Cleanup is pretty easy, too.<br /><br />V.T.

 

[peacetara]

Curry powder or curry blocks (I like the blocks from the asian grocery stores), rice and beans (or lentils).&nbsp; Add veggies to your hearts content.<br /><br />Sometimes I use brown minute rice when I can get it cheap, but regular rice works fine too.<br /><br />Just add water, the curry sauce, the rice and let it cook a while, and then add beans on top for extra protein.&nbsp; If you are a big meat eater you could add summer sausage or any sort of meat.&nbsp; Of course all veggies are welcome, and with the yummy curry sauce, they all become edible, even if you hate that particular veggie <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />Also, I love hummus, mix up some hummus and then cucumber (sliced) to eat the hummus with, but you can use chips, bread, other veggies, whatever you have around.&nbsp; You can find bulk dried hummus powder around, but regular hummus from the grocery store works.&nbsp; To make your own scratch hummus, you need a blender really, which I don't have.<br /><br />

 

[Rollin]

Thank you everyone of you for your great suggestions. I have been cooking breakfast (oatmeal) in the van. Packing canned stuff for lunch at work. For dinner I have been eating out. There seems to be a lot of those all you can eat buffets around here. The problem with the buffets is there is too much temptation to overeat. That and the cost.

Motivation to cook and clean is another reason I've abstained. It's so much easier to let someone else do all the work. Last year I looked forward to cooking after work (camping at the state park). This year is different because I'm in stealth mode

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

Rollin, one of the last things I gave into was purchasing paper plates and utensils, I like to eat on a real plate with real utensils but if clean up is going to be hard I use the throw away stuff...<br /><br />edited to add I just surfed for camping recipes and came up with servel good hits<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/05/...-no-cook-salads-sides-desserts-breakfast.html">http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/05/...-no-cook-salads-sides-desserts-breakfast.html</a>

 

[Rollin]

Another thing in regards to cooking is vandwelling in stealth mode presents a whole nother set of challenges compared to boondocking. Would be a good opportunity for someone to write a cookbook on this subject.

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

I have been experimenting with boiling lots of different foods in cooking bags... so far no complaints.

 

[Rollin]

Can you tell me about these cooking bags?

Edit: We must have posted at the same time thanks for the links!

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

they sell them in all grocery stores, it's a thin plastic, like a few nights ago I added onion soup mix, a small bag of them baby sized carrots, and 1Lb + chicken cutlets (strips)add about 2 cups of water, shake it a bit to mix it up, place in the boiling water with the open end folded over the side lightly can take about an hour to cook, some time more some times less, I have make LOTS of food that normally is messy in these bags, if I have extra I pop the bag into my cooler, and reheat for later.<br /><br />&nbsp;<br /><br />BTW &nbsp;I have uses tie twisties too to close the bag, both works&nbsp;

 

[SoulRaven]

I full time boondock, but i can see the challenge... Me I have small Weber "go anywhere" propane BBQ, I would buy some chicken, pork chops, hamburgers whatever suits you... I would then find me a lake or park that I could set up the BBQ... Then start cooking and bagging the cooked meat to eat later that week... I do this when I find a really good price on something and then keep it on ice and eat cold with a dipping sauce...

 

[Rollin]

Where the Wind Blows, thanks for the responce. I will be on the look out for these bags. Defiantly sounds like an easy cleanup, and with the weather turning colder it's nice to have a hot meal.

SoulRaven, I like that idea for when the carnivore comes out. I'm currently trying to suppress him as much as possible. Then again veggies on the grill are good too. I used to own that same Weber grill, that is great little grill for sure.

 

[cyndi]

Bob posted a few of Steve's wrapped in foil recipes, on his blog.<br /><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/2012/10/best-darned-bbq-ever/</span></strong><br />These could easily be converted into healthier recipes and cooked in the oven.<br /><br />

 

[She]

Where the Wind Blows are you talking about slow cooker bags?

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

I have used several types, slow cooker bags, oven cooking bags, and mylar bags, google them and read up there r not only lots of opinions about them, but also recipes! I love this way of cooking because it's very clean &amp; easy to store leftovers. Someone mentioned ziplock type baggies (hefty has a better bag and a better zip top on them these days), while I have put very hot food inside them after the food was cooked I have not cook in one yet but I will give it a go at some point.<br /><br />edited to add the following info:<br /><br />If you are concerned about the safety to using plastic to cook in this is a great thread:<br /><a href="http://www.cookingforengineers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1146">http://www.cookingforengineers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1146<br /><br />t</a>his was a fun site to read and has recipes:<br /><a href="http://www.trailcooking.com/">http://www.trailcooking.com/</a>&nbsp;

 

[josephusminimus]

Couscous - it's pricier than rice, but I love it with fish, with meat, chicken, whatever.&nbsp; When I can afford a pinch of safron it's exquisite.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://mideastfood.about.com/od/couscousrecipes/r/basiccouscous.htm">http://mideastfood.about.com/od/couscousrecipes/r/basiccouscous.htm</a>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Near anything that I DON'T cook comes under the heading of 'healthy'.

 

[Guest]

Hi Rollin, Since I am only on the road in short spells of a month or so, I don't stress the food thing too much.....on the last sidecar trip&nbsp; I got into doing my mornings in Mickey D's when they were available, a couple dollar burritos and as senior coffee is cheap, good eatin' and wifi is always good....When in the van I do that less often.<br /><br />I find that one of the most enjoyable thing I can do is to try little Mom and Pop restaurants wherever I go and eat the regional specialty if they have one...so once a day I eat out. In Mexico more than that. Lots of street food....a half roasted chicken and fixings. Damn, I gotta get down there again soon!<br /><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " />When cooking in the rig, I eat pretty simple.....I always have sweet onions, fresh garlic and tortillas on hand. Usually have eggs and cheese as well. I found out about single slices of Spam in foil, so some of that chopped up with onions, garlic and fresh jalape&ntilde;os is pretty good stuff to roll up in a tortilla, corn or flour. I carry a few foil things of tuna salad or plain tuna and that with fresh tomatoes and good crackers or real bread (called Artesan bread by some) makes a good lunch. Sometimes I buy a summer sausage and some really sharp cheddar cheese and that with crackers is good also. Sardines and crackers, yum. <br /><br />A friend turned me on to Rice Sides and if I am hungry or traveling with someone, a package feeds two, especially with some summer sausage cut up in it. Sandwiches are big for me, fried egg on a bolillo, PB and J and I carry fresh ground peanut butter until it runs out. Lots of fruit when it is in season.<br /><br />Granola, oats as you mention, in the morning I like to make coffee water and have a bowl set up with oats, nuts and dried fruit...and I rarely use real milk but I carry a container of a product made from soy milk called "Better Than Milk" and you can get in a health food store...so I put a couple tablespoons of the powder in there too. (it dissolves much easier than powdered milk) Then when I pour my coffee water through the cone or into the press, I fill the bowl with enough to make it up...I put something on the bowl as a lid and soon it is breakfast time. I do find that oats do not hold me long though,,,so I am eating again soon.<br /><br />In the overall picture I try to eat as well and healthy as is easy...I don't stress it...I don't think that by the time you are my age, a bit more preservative or red dye number 2 is going to make much difference. I mostly try to eat things that are whole and fresh though and in places that I enjoy being or traveling in, that is pretty easy....<br /><br />Another thing I carry is a container of whole wheat and unbleached white flour mixed half and half and can easily make hotcakes or bannock if there is no real bread to be had.....A small container of Rumford non-aluminum baking powder makes good stuff.<br /><br />I was raised to believe that eating is a social thing and if any food can be shared, it becomes an offering and I like to do that as often as I can....I love that at the RTR we cook a lot of meals together....good ju-ju...<br /><br />Buen provecho!<br />Bri<br /><br />

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

Bri, I got hungry just reading your post! good advice.&nbsp;<br /><br />Rollin, the pleasure of being on the road is LIVING while on the road, you will figure out what foods you like most often, and you will figure out which way you like to cook them. I was wanting a steamer the other night for my fish! and it can be done with the simplest of cooking equipment. I just didnt have what I really needed.... but life goes on and next time I cook fish, I am going to have a steamer set up I like.<br /><br />I love spices and they are something I don't really skimp on because no matter what I cook I think for my taste buds I can always make it taste good. Jack mentions&nbsp;saffron, an amazing spice indeed! I also enjoy truffles black and white ( I know there are other types I just haven't tried them yet)&nbsp;I do have black truffle salt....<br /><br />To go back to what Bri said, stopping at McDee's is a really cheap way to get your fill sometimes, and with a bottomless coffee cup, wifi! and a real toilet life is good! And I agree about stopping at little greasy spoons as my Mom often called them, for me nothing beats a soft scrambled egg, bacon, real homefries, and &nbsp;coffee any time of the day!&nbsp;<br /><br />One of my favorite quotes!:<br /><h1 class="quoteText" style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; color: #181818; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">&ldquo;Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.&rdquo;</h1><br style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">―&nbsp;</span><a style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4785.Alexandre_Dumas">Alexandre Dumas<br /><br />E</a>njoy the journey! and try to eat well while doing it!