“Perfect” traveling meals

We used to drive to the Interior of Mexico every summer, which was a 2.5-day trip (8-10 hours driving each day).

We Always had picnic lunches on the side of the road or we ate in the car as Dad drove. Mom made pimiento cheese, & cut up carrot sticks & green peppers. She took a jar of olives for her & Dad. We had Fritos with pimiento cheese sandwiches & the veggies. Cookies and bananas for dessert. That was memorable eating right there!

Had something new tonight that was surprisingly good and very easy. They were stuffed bell peppers from Harris Ranch. They are filled with a generous amount of meat and boil for 15 minutes in a baggie to ready to eat.

rolling_rhoda wrote:

Leftover steak or chicken, sliced thin, served cold
Cut up melon or fruit

Had more leftovers than usual on a short trip recently due to rain.
So we had watermelon slices, sliced tomatoes, grilled lamb chops and stuffed shrimp for breakfast one day.
Probably the most memorable meal of the trip:D.

Yesssssssss to the Thermos suggestion! Those are little remembered by many but eternally useful.

I don't care much for sandwiches, but here's what I reach for.
Leftover steak or chicken, sliced thin, served cold
Cold, grilled chicken legs
Crab dip/crackers
Pasta salad
Cut up melon or fruit
Oriental cole slaw
Broccoli salad
Yogurt parfait
Cottage cheese and fruit
Chefs salad
Deviled eggs

By the way, Thermos makes good containers for hot food. They're great for items with little air space in the container like stew, Mac and cheese, casserole, spaghetti/meat sauce, cubed meat with gravy over a layer of potatoes.

I was blowing between $6-$15/day on lunch at work. I nipped that in the bud by packing what my coworkers call my Hungry-Mans Lunchable.
One day I will take a pack of honey ham sliced sandwich meat, a block of cheddar cheese, a tube of club crackers, some Frito's, either grapes or pealed grapefruit, a glass of milk and 4 chips ahoy cookies.

The next day will be peanut butter and jelly stored in small separate containers, 4 slices of bread or club crackers, Lay's BBQ potato chips, either a banana or apple, a glass of milk and 4 chips ahoy cookies.

Then I'll take a bowl of Smart Start cereal, a can of peaches and 4 chips ahoy cookies. Don't forget the milk.

I got lunch down to under $2/day now. When you shop for your lunch box pick the one that seems to be the right size and buy the next bigger size. I have a pack of blue ice that I have been using for a few years now.

I'm envious that you will find a nice park or road side picnic bench to enjoy your lunch. I have to eat at my desk :(

Pita sandwiches with a few slices of ham or turkey lunch meat, or have it shaved to your liking in the deli, with your favorite cheese. Go ahead and make this part before leaving for the day and wrap them individually in foil. Then pack a baggie with lettuce leaves, or even salad mix, and a small bottle of ranch dressing and throw it in the cooler with your water or soda. Add some chips or cut veggies, and you've got a great picnic meal.

I like finger foods that are easily eaten:
hummus (I prefer the garlic flavored, but they make several kinds or make your own.)
red pepper sauce (like hummus only made with red peppers)
crackers or bread (I prefer sourdough baguettes sliced)
cheese
salame / summer sausage / rolled lunch meat
olives
pickles
bagged, sliced veggies - carrots, peppers, grape or cherry tomatoes
fruit

littlemo - Great minds think alike! Our two favorites are the Wal-Mart/Costco/grocery store rotisserie chicken, and also the cheese and crackers with summer sausage (yes, we are the cliche Wisconsin family who has cheese at almost every meal!).

Another suggestion (yes, involving cheese) is a quick bruschetta. Just pack some sliced mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, Triscuits or toasted bread bites, and Italian seasonings (to taste). :)

Love all the suggestions - I'm taking notes as well!!

donn0128 wrote:
How about a european style meal? Loaf of good french bread, some cheese and maybe a bottle of wine.

I would be afraid that bottle of wine might get me in trouble in the road?:B

Try a Deli for some food as well as fresh fruit. Always be sure to have bread for sandwiches with you as well as some additions to your sandwiches. At dinner some planovers can be made so you have something for lunch the next day.
If I make chicken tonight there will be enough left to have chicken sandwiches tomorrow. We have friends who will not eat leftovers so that makes it kind of difficult.