Journey and Exploration:
In the heart of a getaway, the kitchen can often be a source of adventure and delight. Here are some creative and budget-friendly meal ideas for cooking in a rental kitchen during your vacation.
A minimalist "kitchen survival kit" can be beneficial to bring, containing essentials like a sharp knife, cutting board, salt, pepper, a pan, and some pantry staples. Olive oil, vinegar, lemons, Dijon mustard, and favourite herbs and spices can also find a home in this kit.
Grilling simple proteins like chicken breasts or steaks and intentionally making extra can help you maximise the initial cooking effort. Use leftovers for sandwiches, quesadillas, salads, or wraps, transforming a single meal into several.
Transforming grilled vegetables, such as corn, into versatile dishes like corn soup, chowder, salads, or stir-fries can help reduce waste and add variety to your meals.
One-pan meals that require minimal equipment, such as one-pan chicken bacon gnocchi or creamy Tuscan chicken, are practical for vacation rentals with limited cookware.
Simple smoothie recipes that can be adapted with local fruits and yogurt can offer refreshing, nutritious options. For example, blend vanilla Greek yogurt, peach yogurt, honey, and fresh peaches and plums.
Preparing make-ahead freezer meals at home and bringing them in a cooler, such as breakfast burritos, turkey pesto paninis, or chicken taquitos, can save time and money when reheated in the rental kitchen.
Incorporating easy-to-make sandwiches, wraps, and salads using pre-cooked or deli meats can be quick, no-fuss, and budget-friendly.
When using limited kitchen tools, embrace simple, imperfect cooking with local ingredients. Adding leftover pickles or cheese to scrambled eggs or frittatas can enhance flavour without complication.
Many vacation rentals have unfamiliar kitchens. Don't be surprised if you find sand in a pasta salad served on the beach - it's considered acceptable. Grills are often available and can be a vacation cook's best friend.
Big grain salads are customizable and can be served cold or at room temperature, making them perfect for picnics or beachside dining.
Embracing the lack of usual tools and supplies can lead to memorable vacation meals. Brushing slices of country bread with olive oil, sprinkling with flaky salt, and toasting them lightly on the grill can be a good idea.
Cooking what feels manageable and using local ingredients can provide more time outside with loved ones. Dishes like tomatoes, basil, caponata, sauteed chard, grilled peppers, fresh goat cheese, melon and cucumber salad, and a chopped vegetable salad bolstered with protein-packed chickpeas can be a delightful addition to your vacation menu.
Remember, cooking in a vacation rental kitchen can be a challenge. But with a bit of planning and creativity, it can also be an exciting part of your vacation experience.
[1] Source for one-pan meals
[2] Source for smoothie recipes
[3] Source for make-ahead freezer meals
- One-pan meals like one-pan chicken bacon gnocchi or creamy Tuscan chicken are practical for vacation rentals with limited cookware, and can be found on websites specializing in recipe resources.
- Simple smoothie recipes that can be adapted with local fruits and yogurt for refreshing, nutritious options can be discovered on blogs dedicated to health and food-and-drink.
- Preparing make-ahead freezer meals at home and bringing them in a cooler, such as breakfast burritos, turkey pesto paninis, or chicken taquitos, can save time and money when reheated in the rental kitchen; recipe ideas and instructions can be found in various cookbooks and online cooking channels.
- Incorporating easy-to-make sandwiches, wraps, and salads using pre-cooked or deli meats can be quick, no-fuss, and budget-friendly; find inspiration for these meal ideas in lifestyle magazines and food blogs.
