First night/arrival meal

rangerjean · 03-15-2019, 05:56 PM

After driving and setting up we really want an easy but satisfying meal...and a few cocktails. I used to make spaghetti ahead and serve that but I am looking for something else. I think last time we had hot dogs with canned chili..good simple.. who has amazing creative easy ideas???

TheWolfPaq82 · 03-15-2019, 06:07 PM

A stop at KFC is usually pretty satisfying.

DavidBo · 03-15-2019, 06:33 PM

Since we're typically pretty spent by then, I like to keep it simple. I'll usually pack some leftovers and heat those up. Beef/chicken fajitas or maybe some brisket wrapped in a tortilla, cold margarita with a wedge of lime...life is good.

A32Deuce · 03-15-2019, 06:56 PM

We like to go to a diner for a meal after the drive and set up. Works for us.

merrykalia · 03-15-2019, 07:17 PM

We have several "go-to" meals.

1. You can purchase Jack Daniels Beef Brisket in the refrigerated case at grocery stores. We take those, a bag full of fresh rolls from the grocery bakery and a bag of salad. When we arrive, 4 minutes in the microwave for the brisket bag, take it out, cut it into smaller pieces, put on the roll, grab the salad and viola, dinner is served.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jack-Dani...20-oz/46575488

2. Lots of stuff we don't need, but Bear Creek Farms makes a great bag soup (just add water) that is fabulous. I can recommend the Broccoli Cheese, Tortilla and the Vegetable Soup. Check the sodium content, because they are pretty substantial if you are watching your sodium. Again, a bag of rolls from the grocery or some crackers makes it a meal.

https://www.walmart.com/search/?quer...k%20soup%20mix Just a note - I usually purchase them for $3.50 per bag at our local Walmart.

3. I keep strips of chicken and beef in my freezer and if we are going to be traveling, I will go ahead and fry them up with onion strips and peppers, add some fajita seasoning to them and put in a baggy. According to when we are traveling, I will place in fridge or back in the freezer to be grabbed when we head out. When we get to the site, warm them either on top of the stove or even in the microwave. Put into some purchased tortillas, add some cheese and roll up. Great dinner with veggies and protein together

There are plenty more where those came from. I do lots of my prep work for our "arrival" meals so it is easy and we won't be grabbing junk when we get hungry.

Jayhawker · 03-15-2019, 07:29 PM

A crock pot of chili or beef stew made the day before. Or sub sandwiches purchased at the last fill up is what we do. Too tired to "cook" after driving and setting up camp!

SmilinBeard · 03-15-2019, 07:41 PM

Beside burgers, hotdogs, and leftovers, we have a number of simple ideas:

Quesadillas (we use left over fajita chicken). I toast them on the griddle.

Shrimp - Depending on the weather and our level of effort, pre-cooked, grilled or sautéed, with lemon and garlic. Add a salad and special bread and it's a meal.

Chicken Waldorf salad -- this is a good summer one, made ahead and just pull it out of the fridge and place on a bed of lettuce.

DavidBo · 03-15-2019, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merrykalia

We have several "go-to" meals.

1. You can purchase Jack Daniels Beef Brisket in the refrigerated case at grocery stores.

Down here in Texas, buying a pre-cooked brisket is a paddlin'!

OK. I've been guilty of it myself a few times, just don't tell anybody.

Good tortilla soup is a food of the gods, that and Caldo, along with a quart of iced tea, are classic "morning after" remedies. Having lived in south TX most of my adult life has made me appreciate quality Latin-inspired fare, and the typical cooking methods makes it very travel friendly.
Great, now I'm hungry!

Cowracer · 03-15-2019, 09:11 PM

Get a tub of microwave Hormel pulled pork, and a couple of the plastic-encased microwaveable baked potatos. Takes under 10 minutes to microwave it all. Doctor up your tater with butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, whatever you like, then add a big old serving spoon full of pulled pork on top of the spud.

Very quick, very easy, and very tasty. We actually make these at home a lot on hectic nights.

Tim

dward51 · 03-15-2019, 09:13 PM

A good hearty Brunswick Stew (Georgia Brunswick, with smoked chicken and pulled pork BBQ and vegetables). I vacuum pack a lot of it and freeze when I make it (recipe makes about 4 gallons). Toss a bag into some boiling water to reheat and you are good to go. Add some hot cornbread and you are in heaven.

No store bought smoked chicken or pork. I have my own stable of smokers and do it old school (pork for 22 hours).

fortwilderness · 03-15-2019, 09:31 PM

These are great ideas! I usually make sloppy joes or Italian roast beef ahead of time. Take them out of the freezer and make sandwiches with potato or macaroni salad our first night.

Paulie1138 · 03-15-2019, 09:40 PM

We do whatever the mood strikes us-we always keep some pre-prepped meals in vacuum sealed freeze bags. (Steak, BBQ, Bear country soup-mentioned earlier, but already made up, rice, etc) Toss into boiling water, cut open, good to go!

Go out if we saw something nearby that looked good-often have to diesel-up anyway!

DavidBo · 03-15-2019, 09:45 PM

Not too many vegans in our happy little forum it would seem.

dward51 · 03-15-2019, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidBo

Not too many vegans in our happy little forum it would seem.

Vegans I know are primitive tent campers....

JohnD10 · 03-15-2019, 11:58 PM

Hot dogs or hamburgers on the grill and a bag of chips...

Plus a few cold brewskis...

After all...ain't that what campin' is all about?

NMWildcat · 03-16-2019, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidBo

Not too many vegans in our happy little forum it would seem.

My niece is a hard core vegan. We don't know how that happened as she grew up on a ranch and a farm. I call her the killer of innocent plants..... Plant Killer for short. My SIL just gives me the evil eye.

Our quick and easy meal is either turkey sandwiches or green enchiladas (make the sauce ahead of time).