Food Challenge

18 years ago

Here's a challenge for you--let's see what kind of creative solutions you can come up with.

The situation: new house doesn't have a fridge. I'm not in a hurry to buy one, since we're not living there fulltime yet. I have a small dorm fridge there, and generally take a plug-in cooler (for ice and drinks). We're usually there for 1-2-3 nights at a time. Luckily, we're less than a mile from the supermarket. Oh, I also have limited cooking utensils and ingredients there at this time.

Okay--given that situation, what easy foods would you be serving?

So far, I've bought pizzas/calzones at the grocery store and heated them up. One weekend I made my bbq bake (boxed cornbread, purchased BBQ, cheese). I think tomorrow, I'll go to the poultry farm and buy a roast chicken and potato salad--that will do for dinner, and the next night we can have bbq'd chicken sandwiches.

Give me some great ideas that are: inexpensive, don't take a lot of ingredients, don't take up loads of fridge space, and can be prepared with limited utensils (I have bowls, spoons, spatulas, whisks, knives, microwave etc, but haven't yet taken stuff like the food processor, mixer,)

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Comments (12)

grammahony
18 years ago
Tuna cassarole or tuna sandwiches. Or if you don't like tuna, get some canned chicken instead.
BLT's are easy. You can always buy the pre-cooked bacon.
Leslie
lydia1959
18 years ago
There's lots of easy recipes for the crock pot (if you have one there).

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's one!
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I found a new site tonight that I'm having so much fun with! Check out the little buttons on the side of the blog, like "Can't think any more about dinner? We've got you covered." and "Snack emergency? Here's your panic button." The labels change, and so do the posts they link to. Lots of fun and some good looking recipes, plus great ideas for feeding kids and getting them involved with cooking. Here is a link that might be useful: Sweet Potato Chronicles
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Just in case no one told you yet today, Grainlady, you are so appreciated! Since I know you’ll understand, ironically, I didn’t continue in the background section a possible soy allergy/intolerance that needs testing (mine:) I’m the one with the nut allergy too. There’s possible fructose intolerance with FODMAP diet exploration going on also:) On the positive side, there’s a high level of appreciation when we find something that works for everyone. Yes, the milk allergy is a game changer and has expanded my horizons. I make Sourdough biscuits for him (revised adding more flour) and am going to experiment trying it with shortening/butter flavoring instead of margarine based on your comments. As an aside, we're a family of runners. This young man will participate in the Boston half-marathon next weekend and can polish off a recipe of biscuits with bowls of minestrone like no other:) Interesting about the Silpat/non-stick foil for the cinnamon chips (read one poster in the comments asking about that but no response) I’m going to try some modifications now that I’ve made a batch per specifications. I’ve never purchased cinnamon chips and can’t make a comparison, but I will say these are very good and baked very well. I'd recommend giving it a whirl since you have a healthy supply of cinnamon! Grainlady said “I have addressed most of the food challenges you do, so I understand how rewarding it is to find something that fits the bill. :-) “ True words! Thanks for your sharing your exceptional insight -- it is truly appreciated, informative and encouraging.
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susanjf_gw
18 years ago
most stores have salad mixed greens. take the leftover chicken and add it. (chicken ceasar, for instance)

we did brats camping on the bbq, make a smaller pasta salad, again using left-overs.

hoagie sandwiches. breakfast for dinner. do you have a electric skillit or crock pot?

bake potatoes, add toppings (tuna, cheese, bacon bits, steamed veggies)
Linda Wayman
18 years ago
You can buy cabbage slivers already packaged to use for slaw, but it can be used to saute in a skillet with sliced Kiebalsa.

or

Slice Kiebalsa into Â½ inch slices into a skillet, fry it for a few minutes, then put some barbecue sauce on it and cook over low heat for a few minutes.
azzalea
Original Author
18 years ago
Good ideas--keep them coming.

I always forget about that pre-cooked bacon. Never use it at home, but it would be convenient at the other house. And if I'm not mistaken, there's a place that makes homemade Polish sausage (and an Italian sausage place), so I'll eventually get around to checking them out, too.

I have a range, oven and microwave--no problem there. Oh, and the MOST important appliance--LOL--a dishwasher. No crockpot though--don't even have one of those at home. Don't like having a heat-producing appliance running all day, when I can make the same meal in 20-30 minutes on the range or in the Advantium (at home--don't have the one at the new house connected yet.).
glenda_al
18 years ago
Pimento cheese!
cynic
18 years ago
I enjoy a big chef's salad every now and then. Omelets on occasion or just a fried egg sandwich. Various casseroles from Tater Tot Hotdish to macaroni hotdish, meatloaf, deli meat sandwiches with side salads if it's warm. A rack of ribs or a pot roast, even a turkey breast are all favorites of mine, easy to do too.

Since you're going with a cooler too, your options are many. You can start with something frozen and let it thaw in the cooler which will keep your cooler contents cool at the same time. So you could have a turkey, or a turkey breast thawing in there, or a rack of ribs or a block of burger, a ham, whatever.

Your biggest challenge is deciding the menu rather than storing! Just don't buy more in the way of refrigerated/frozen than you need for the time, which of course you know.
jannie
18 years ago
Dry past6a and jarred sauce-Ragu is good.
whidbeykathy
18 years ago
Find a garage sale quick! You can always find pots and pans cheap..

It's your get away time and you don't need to be tied to the stove, but it's easy once you have things set up. We used to go in our trailer for 3 days a lot. I always cooked real meals and storage was a issue until I stocked quart jars for trips. Rice,flour,pasta, sugar and spices etc.can be stored in bigger jars for future use.

Bake a chicken one night, use some of the left over for chicken and rice, and any left over chicken can be chicken salad.

A pork roast can be dinner one night, pulled pork the second.

Roast beef one night, fajitas the second and maybe french dip the last.

And my personal favorite..sausage and gravy in the morning with refrigerator biscuits. I just bought smaller sizes.You can now buy a pack with just a few.

I always picked up fresh produce along the way. Kathy
kathyg_in_mi
18 years ago
Got a grill? Burgers and dogs, corn on the cob, veggie packets, beer can chicken, pizza on the grill.........the list goes on and on.
Oh yeah, don't forget to go out to eat too!
Kathy G in MI
sharon_fl
18 years ago
First-I'd hit the yard sales for utensils & cookwear. Secondly, as long as you are usually there only 3 or so days at a time and live so close to a store..just go daily to pick up your meat/produce for that day. Lastly? I'd collect takeout menues from all of the local eateries..they take up no space in your small fridge! LOL!!!
grittymitts
18 years ago
Hot Italian Sausage sliced & browned with brown sugar canned baked beans poured over; simmer 'til sausage is done. With fresh home grown tomatoes added to packaged salad & skillet "grilled" garlic bread you have an easy- peasy meal. (Hot sausage 'n sweetened beans are a tasty combination.)
Suzi

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