cooking in the truck

When I had a microwave in the truck I did more cooking. However, this new truck doesn't have an APU or inverter. So the lunchbox stove has been my best choice. I can put a meal in a half hour before I stop and eat as soon as I park. If I don't have a prepared meal, then it's a can of soup or chili. Not the best set up, but it works for me.

Wednesday will be my last day on the road. Start a new job next week and I'll be able to cook every day in my own kitchen.

 

Dinner last night... Bag o lettuce... Sliced sandwich meat (ham), sliced cheese (cheddar) and salad dressing... Less than 10 minute prep... Less than $5 with ham and cheese left over for a sandwich for lunch...

 

Lunch... Left over frozen deconstructed cabbage roll... Did a BIG pot on home time, separated out single servings, put in freezer... Placed in fridge/freezer in truck... When wanted just 4 min in the micro... Done!!

 

My "go to" meal at the end of a 14 is a salad and slice of bread to mop up the excess olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 10-15 minutes and I'm cleaning up and done with dinner. Fresh produce has a lot more vitamins and minerals than when cooked, and is much more filling and satisfying.

I haven't bought lettuce in over a year. The foundation greens of my salads are now more full bodied tasting arugula, Italian parsley, fresh basil, chives, or spring mix. Add some cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, sugar snap peas, or cucumber and I end up with a salad that doesn't need heavy salad dressing to add flavor.

 

Cooked chicken strips (yes we broke down and bought some yesterday) diced and tossed in some Chunky soup... Now the soup is REALLY chunky, and the chicken isn't really dry and tasteless...

 

Anyone have the platinum express cooker, I really like it can fix just about anything in it and its small enough to store so doesn't take up much room. Also got myself a rice cooker and that works great for noodles, Mac n cheese, etc... I also have my micro, for those quick heat up meals and or popcorn for movie snack in truck.

 

Here's a way to make a nice stew if you don't have something to cook with, other than a thermos and a tupperware bowl with a lid:

Cous cous - this is in the pasta section of the market. Basically a pasta that looks like little grains of rice made with wheat.
Olive oil
Sea salt
Jerky - I stock up on beef, elk, venison, moose, or buffalo jerky IF I can find it with only meat and salt as the ingredients. I avoid anything that has more than two ingredients.

About a cup of cous cous, a liberal splash of olive oil, pinch of sea salt, and break up the jerky into little bits all in the tupperware bowl. Pour in a cup or more of hot water, wrap in a towel, drive a couple hours, and you have a great meal waiting at your next rest stop.

Cous cous also works well using something like pecan halves instead of meat. I add a liberal splash of cinnamon and maybe some honey or chopped dates.

 

Thanks everybody - Great stuff on this thread lately. It's nice to see you all having a life on the road. On other threads many drivers would have me believe that there is only time to drive and sleep.

Not being a driver yet, it's nice to see that additional priorities are also possible.

 

It's hard to balance I will admit. You try to drive as much of your 11 as possible. And by the time I get fuel and take my thirty minute dot break I have just worked 12-14 hours seven days a week. It gets to the point when you are done at end of day all you want to do is sleep.

 

My lunch box stove just imploded. I heated some chili about a half hour before I got to my stop at a shipper. After checking in at the gate, I unplugged it, went in to shipping and was given a door. Parked trailer at door, uncoupled and parked tractor. Then I couldn't get the lid open. Finally I pried it open and the entire bottom had buckled up in the vacuum. I'm very disappointed.