In this fast-paced world, traveling has become an important part of life for relaxation and expanding one’s horizons. In the colorful picture of modern travel, cooking for oneself has also emerged as a new way of dining while on the road. Of course, if you are only staying for one night, you may choose to eat out. But if you plan to stay in one place for a longer period of time, cooking for yourself can be a great option.
Cooking for yourself while traveling not only allows you to enjoy the pleasure of homemade food, but also helps you save money on your journey, achieving a perfect balance of health and economy.
Here are nine practical rules for cooking while traveling, to help you easily prepare delicious meals on the road.
When planning to cook for yourself while traveling, unless you are driving a camper or trailer, it is essential to confirm if your accommodation has kitchen facilities. Short-term rental apartments, youth hostels, and hotel suites usually offer simple kitchen facilities like a toaster, kettle, and refrigerator to meet basic cooking needs.
Plan ahead based on the kitchen facilities of your accommodation, organize your dishes, and purchase necessary ingredients. This not only helps you save money but also adds variety to your meals.
Choose meals that require minimal ingredients and cooking tools while on the road. Dishes like omelets, stir-fries, noodles, rice, and pasta are good options. Homemade sandwiches, salads, or wraps are simple, no-cook foods that are also ideal choices.
A slice of toast, half an avocado, two slices of tomato, and a fried egg – this simple combination of ingredients makes a delicious and healthy meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
If luggage space allows, bring along disposable seasoning packets or small packs of ingredients such as salt, pepper sachets, and instant noodles.
When traveling by car, pack some easy-to-cook dry goods like rice, noodles, and pasta. Bring along small packets of seasonings such as salt, pepper, olive oil, vinegar, etc. With just some hot water and a few seasonings, you can whip up a simple meal.
Pack some basic tools such as a can opener, vegetable peeler, and other handy utensils.
For car travel, you can also carry simple cooking tools like a travel dining set, collapsible bowl, silicone food tongs, mini knife sharpener, and even a small electric rice cooker if you enjoy eating rice.
Each market in different regions is like an unfolded scroll, telling the stories of life there, displaying unique colors, sounds, and smells. While traveling, exploring markets and supermarkets for ingredients not only helps you discover fresh, seasonal products but also allows you to immerse yourself in the local way of life.
Choosing local market specialties to cook with adds an authentic flavor to your dishes and makes your journey more colorful. In this way, traveling becomes more than just sightseeing but also includes opportunities to experience different cultures through food.
Prepare your shopping list and keep in mind how long you will be staying in the area. If it’s just for a few nights, there is no need to buy large packaging items like a big bottle of cooking oil. Minimize food waste by planning and using ingredients wisely.
Leftover food can be turned into other dishes. For example, eggs can be boiled for the next day’s breakfast, or you can make delicious tea eggs by adding some tea leaves and spices to them.
Reheated pizza can also serve as a quick and convenient breakfast choice, reducing food waste and allowing you to enjoy a different taste.
Food safety is crucial, especially when cooking in a new environment. Pay close attention to the freshness of ingredients, proper food storage, and maintaining cleanliness in the cooking area.
Remember to wash hands before and after cooking, use clean cooking tools and containers, and ensure that food is thoroughly cooked. This not only guarantees food freshness but also reduces the risk of food poisoning. When traveling, coming into contact with various food sources makes it essential to ensure the safety of the ingredients used.
Although cooking for yourself while traveling helps save costs, occasionally dining out to taste local delicacies is also a great joy of traveling. You can plan your daily meals accordingly, such as cooking two meals yourself and enjoying one meal outside. This way, you can savor the satisfaction of cooking while also having the opportunity to experience local breakfast, lunch, and dinner specialties. This travel style allows you to delve into and experience the local culinary culture while enjoying homemade delicacies.
Whether you are temporarily staying in a foreign place for work or embarking on a leisure vacation, following these travel cooking guidelines can bring unexpected rewards to your journey. Not only does it help control your budget, but it also adds the pleasure of homemade food, enriching your dining experience. It makes your travels healthier and more fulfilling, adding new colors to each trip and leaving behind beautiful memories.