GoCampingAmerica.com | Posted March
    4th, 2013

    MUST: Prepare Your Food Before Hitting
    the Road

    Happy Camper Blog

    A little
    planning ahead of time can go a long way toward making your road trip more
    enjoyable. Eating a varied cuisine on the road can be a challenge – but the
    fact that you’re away from all the conveniences of your own kitchen, doesn’t
    mean you have to settle for eating freeze dried meals, canned entrees and
    “just add hot water “ foods like ramen and oatmeal.

    Don’t
    be afraid to go beyond the standard staples like
    cereal, cold cuts or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and, of course,
    hamburgers and hot dogs. Although these foods are reliable standbys, they
    should complement your meal plans, not be your only choices. It’s easy to
    enjoy a wide variety of foods on the road, as long as you are
    prepared.

    The real trick to enjoying great meals on the
    road is to do as much prep work at home as
    possible
    before you leave so you can make sure mealtime isn’t
    boring or predictable. Doing your prep work in advance will also help you cut
    down on the handling of raw foods and help you minimize the hassle and mess
    of cooking when you’re on the road.

    Pre-dicingHere are a
    few more helpful tips and shortcuts:

    Before
    You Leave Home

    • Stock up on zip
      top bags (preferably the freezer type – they’re tougher), heavy-duty aluminum
      foil and recyclable aluminum containers, since they’re lightweight to carry
      and limit the number of dishes you have to wash. Plus, foil allows the
      flavors of the food to blend, and you won’t have to worry about anything
      dripping into the grill. Clean meats at home to avoid having food scraps that
      might attract animals or rot and create a foul
      order.
    • Precut cantaloupe, watermelon, cheeses, and
      vegetables for quick snacks and easy use. Apples, grapes, string cheese,
      granola bars, dried fruit, raisins and nuts also make great snacks and are
      no-fuss.
    • Frozen veggies, dried or frozen pasta with jar
      sauce, meatballs and fried chicken are good “go-to’s” for fast, easy meals
      when you’re pressed for time.
    • Don’t forget the essential
      condiments: mayo, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, salad dressings, salt, pepper,
      garlic and other seasonings you like. Also be sure to pack coffee, tea and
      hot chocolate packets as well as any powdered drink mixes you and your family
      enjoy.
    • Prepare your favorite dishes at home and freeze
      them for quick, easy on-the-road meals. Since you freeze them at home,
      they’ll also do double duty as “ice blocks” to help keep your food and drinks
      cold. These meals will defrost slowly, so they will keep fresh for days.
      Getting ready for a meal is hassle-free with no pots or pans to
      clean.