Whether you are road-tripping, flying, or hiking up a mountain, one thing is for sure- you can’t conquer a new destination on an empty stomach. In fact, a recent Amazon study found that about 79% of Australians consider packing snacks as a road trip priority.
But if you’re tired of settling for sad airport sandwiches and gas station snacks, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of five travel food tips to elevate your travel food game. Get ready to say hello to a culinary adventure on the road!
1. Choose Couscous- The Travel-Friendly Carb
When it comes to quick and hassle-free cooking, couscous takes the cake. It’s a breeze to cook- just add some hot water, allow it to sit covered, and you have yourself a meal.
That’s not all. Couscous is incredibly versatile and can act as a replacement for rice and other grains. You can toss in some veggies, herbs, or even canned tuna to create a meal fit for a travel gourmet. Plus, it’s readily available and compact, which makes it a perfect travel buddy.
Here’s a quick recipe for you to try. Chop up some vegetables, and oven-roasted/grilled meats. Mix them through the cooked couscous and dress lightly with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Easy, tasty, and filling!
2. Consider Cryovacing Your Meat
Tired of leaky meat juices causing chaos in your backpack? Enter cryovacing! Seal your favourite cuts in a vacuum-packed bag, and you’re all set for a BBQ bonanza wherever your journey takes you.
Cryovac packaging removes bulk, reduces the risk of leaky juices, and can extend your meat’s lifespan. You can ask your butcher to cryovac your meat into packages of your desired weight. And if you want to take the middleman out, get yourself a domestic vacuum sealer. Wash, cut, and marinate your meat- and you’ll be all set for a feast on the road.
3. Check the Tides for Beachside BBQs
Imagine this- a sun-soaked beach, the sound of waves crashing, and the tantalizing aroma of BBQ wafting through the air. Sounds like a dream, right?
But this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t do your research. The last thing you’d want is for the waves to crash on your beach barbecue site mid-meal.
To avoid this, check the tide schedule at your beach destination and time your BBQ for low tide. This way, you’ll have a solid stretch of sand to set up your portable grill.
Need more beachside BBQ tips? We got you!
- Opt for a portable grill that’s easy to carry and set up. Look for one with sturdy legs that can handle the uneven terrain of a beach. Bonus points if it comes with a carrying case- because no one wants sand in their burgers.
- Pack your grilling toolkit. Tongs, a spatula, a grill brush, and a meat thermometer are your beach BBQ essentials. A quality pair of heat gloves can also come in handy.
- Prep your meats at home and marinate them before hitting the beach. This not only infuses your food with flavour but also saves you from lugging around a bunch of bottles and spices.
- Beach barbecues are all about fun, but safety should never be an afterthought. Make sure your grill is stable and secure. Keep a small fire extinguisher or bucket of water nearby, just in case. And remember, grilling on an open flame may not be allowed in certain areas, so check local regulations before firing up.
- Cleaning up after a beach BBQ can be a sandy challenge. Bring biodegradable wipes, trash bags, and a small bucket for washing utensils. Leave no trace behind, so others can enjoy the pristine beauty of the beach.
4. Carry Small LPG Bottles
Cooking with an open flame adds that extra spark to your meals, but lugging around a giant, 16 kg LPG bottle? Not so much.
Save yourself the backache and invest in small, 4kg LPG bottles. They’re compact, lightweight, and perfect for your portable BBQ. Besides giving you a good number of cooking hours on your BBQ, it can also be refilled/ exchanged at standard distributors.
Having a compact gas bottle ensures you’re not at the mercy of the local food scene. Whether it’s morning coffee or a hearty dinner, you can enjoy a delicious, hot meal, no matter where you go.
5. Invest in Pre-Packaged Recipes
No time for meal planning? Invest in pre-packaged recipes. These handy packs often come with dehydrated ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.
Or, pre-pack the ingredients yourself! Mix dry ingredients for cakes, scones, and other desserts in Ziploc bags. Write down the ingredient list and cooking method on the bag itself for easy, convenient cooking. You can also pre-blend spices for curries, koftas, or meatballs in small containers or bags.
For example, you can create a dehydrated pasta salad by combining dried veggies, parmesan cheese, mini pepperoni slices, and Italian seasoning in a sealed bag. When you’re ready to eat, add hot water to your liking and let everything rehydrate for a few minutes. Drizzle with olive oil, toss, and enjoy a fuss-free pasta salad with a campfire twist.
For quinoa and black bean burrito bowls, pre-mix the quinoa, black beans, corn, and taco seasoning in a bag. Add boiling water, seal, and let it rehydrate. Top with diced tomatoes and a splash of hot sauce for a quick and satisfying meal.
Again, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s plenty of room to experiment, so feel free to ideate as much as you want!
The Bottom Line
There you have it- five travel food tips to turn your next adventure into a culinary escapade. Remember, there’s no need to survive on scraps when you’re enjoying the great outdoors. With these tips, you should have all the inspiration you need to elevate your on-the-go dining experience!
Turn up the heat and transform your next getaway into a grilling paradise with BBQ Adelaide. Unleash the flavour with our top-notch outdoor grilling gear that’s a cut above the rest. Shop now or get in touch today!
