cooking in the truck

On thing I have done.... I went to Home Depot and go a Basil plant.
It is small and sets on the dash. Every now and then we grab a leaf and toss it in the cooker.
You would be suprised how much on leaf will change even a plan can of soup.

 

Please post some recipes!

I am getting a lunchbox cooker and I would like some ideas on what to cook in it!

 

I cook in the truck all the time I got one of the max burton butane stoves I have a couple of soup pots. And make pasta and soups stuff like that. I also have a george foreman grill and a electric skillet. For 15bucks at walyworld I can make food for 3 days! Just keep some air fresheners handy!

 

Refrigeration,
You have TWO choices here,
Those plug in coolers that keep things about 25 or 30 degrees cooler than the cab they are in...
If you are in home a bunch, you can cook/freeze things, then put them in those 'Coolers' and it will take them a while to thaw out most times.

You can NOT store very long term, normally thaws out in a day or two, maybe three if you are lucky.

OR,
You can buy a 'Dorm Room' fridge with ice maker and freezer.
They usually take up a BUNCH more space, but are just too handy if you are on the road more than a week at a time!

I buy the regular dorm room fridge and spray expanding foam (Great Stuff) under the compressor so it doesn't vibrate and break the coolant lines, and they usually last about a year.

Any collage town pawn shop will have these fridges for $30 to $100 and a can of 'Great Stuff' is about $5.
You will need a power inverter to run a 110 volt fridge, but that's usually no issue, most drivers have them now.

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A fridge/freezer and microwave will keep you fat and happy!

I save the grilling or frying for outdoors, using a bottled gas (LP) grill.

When I worked for a company that wouldn't spring for a power inverter, or wouldn't let me install mine,
I used a hikers type FUEL JET single serving stove,
VERY light weight, VERY compact, and with the FUEL JET instead of just open flame it would heat up a can of soup or make coffee in about 20 seconds,
And it would boil a quart of water in about 1 minute.

Came with it's own VERY high quality stainless steel cup, stand cover/container, and ran about $60 from an outdoor hiking/camping store...

I made EVERYTHING in that little quart cup from beef stew to boiling sausages!

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One tip I found for cheap eating on the road...
Anytime you get around a grocery store with deli, check out the lunches/dinners they make.
Usually very good food, salads, plate lunches, ect. and VERY cheap compared to 'Road Food'.

Also, if you intend to cook, take a look at the 'Last Day' meat section.
You will often find steaks for the price of hamburger, but they need to be consumed right away.

I ALWAYS keep 'Cup Of Noodles', peanut butter and crackers, stuff like that in the truck,
You never know when or where you are going to get laid over or have to wait for hours to get loaded/unloaded, and sometimes there just isn't any place to get anything to eat!

I chop up onions, scallions, peppers, ect. and freeze them, toss them in the truck freezer or cooler in 'Zip Lock' bags.
Along with a bullion cube they make Ramon noodles in the cup actually good to eat!
The 'Taco' sauce packets or Chili sauce packets also helps the taste of even the cheapest Ramon noodles.

When I stop in a grocery store, I always look for baby carrots, grapes, ect for snacks,
They keep my already expanding girth from getting out of hand!
They are sweet, they aren't dry so they don't make me guzzle soft drinks, and they are cheap for the amount you get!

A little lemon juice (From those little plastic bottles shaped like a lemon) in water makes it refreshing without adding sugar you don't need...
Also keeps your water jugs from getting slimy inside when the water sits a while.

 

Having lived in my van for two years, I've learned how to safely cook inside it when it would rain or be incredibly cold.

Ventilation is key, as is knowing your surroundings if you're going to use a propane stove. Try to put it as close to a window as possible, and make sure you have another window cracked for ventilation.

Also, make sure you use lids! Nothing hurts more than not being able to get away from the pop-sizzle of grease flying out of the pan!

 

One of my favorites:

1 can glory collard greens
1 can italian stewed tomatoes
1 can of chicken breast meat

Combine ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on high for one hour and then cook on low for one hour. If you don't know what pot liquor is try this recipe and you will thank me.

 

African peanut stew:

Can of diced tomatoes
Can of green chiles or jalapenos
1 green pepper chopped
Can of chicken breast meat
shake or two of crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons of peanut butter

Combine all ingredients except peanut butter in crockpot
Cook on high for one hour
Cook on low for two hours
Stir in peanut butter

Adding peanut butter to any spicy tomato based soup or stew works great. The amount of PB to add is of personal preference.

 

recipes..who uses recipes? i buy the bertolli meals.. stoffers... soups etc etc. stuff that can be heated up in the lunch box oven or in a pot. some times i'll buy a cple rib eyes and some lipton rice or noodle packs. salt, pepper, and maybe dry rub cooked out on the cat walk or deck of flat bed... if have time can also do eggs n bacon

invention is the mother of all necessity. most cooks/chefs don't use a recipe. just comes to them as they go

 

I actually did up some custard in the LunchBox oven the other day - was totally craving something sweet... next time though I will do that when the truck isn't moving - LOL! Although the sloppage wasn't as bad as it could have been

 

I have the cooler from WalMart, cost something like $94. I also have a 1000 watt inverter (the largest my company will allow) which I use to run my coffee pot and microwave.
I am also looking into putting a small crockpot in the truck. Several of our drivers have one and they put their food in when they start driving and by the end of the shift it is ready to eat. My concern was cleaning it, but I was told to use the liners and cleanup would not be an issue.

I normally spend around $50 per week for groceries. I buy the pre made salads, and if I am real hungry, I will have a salad and a "completes" dinner, love the Salisbury steak and potatoes. Sometimes I will top that off with a pudding cup.

I will say that since I make my own coffee, and eat in the truck, I have gone weeks and not spent a dime on the road. One week I spent just under $5, I bought a "Starbucks" frappuncino and 2 cups of ice.

I also keep snack stuff to munch on while driving. It works for me.