looking for fun, portable, healthy meal ideas

[Contrary Housewife]

DH and I are spending the weekend out of town with friends. They are providing a huge BBQ with smoked meats and sides on Monday. and we are responsible for dinner Sat and Sun evening.

Friday we are going to a specialty burger place they recommend, so I need different options than that on the other nights.

The food has to travel 1/2 a day in a cooler and keep 2-3 days (in a fridge) after that. I have basic cooking tools available to me there, the grill, saucepans, skillet, some utensils, not much else.

I'd like to limit the amount of condiments and ingredients I take.

And, just to complicate things, they need to be healthy meals. Low carb/low glycemic, low fat, low cholesterol kinds of foods. Between the burgers and the brisket the other two nights we really need to eat healthy Sat and Sun.

I thought maybe grilled chicken of some kind. Maybe hot dogs, but those aren't all that healthy. DH is allergic to shellfish, so shrimp is out.

What are your ideas?

[zakity]

hamburger rice casserole

hamburger
rice (could use brown rice)
bullion and water or broth
seasonings
veggie
water

Cook up the hamburger and drain and rinse (or bring frozen crumbles from home). Add hamburger, rice, and bullion/water or broth to a saucepan. Depending on what your seasoning choice is, you might need to add it in also. When the rice is almost cooked, add in the veggies (I use frozen).

I use Italian seasonings and peas and carrots (the kind that come mixed together in a bag in the freezer section) most of the time when I make it. You can use curry or Mexican spices or spice it up however strikes your fancy. We have also used other veggies, but the peas/carrots mix thing works best for what everyone likes.

As for amounts, I use 1.5 lbs hamburger, 4 cups of rice, beef better-than-buillion, and a huge amount of peas and carrots (probably more than a pound). I am also feeding three teen boys with two hollow legs and occasionally a hollow arm too.

[krbshappy71]

Hard-boiled eggs in the cooler, then later when its fridge time you can make up a batch of egg salad. That should be good for a couple of lunches. Could throw in carrot sticks instead of chips for the crunchy side dish. The mayo and mustard you bring could also be used for sandwiches, bring some cold cut meat and bread.

Pasta salads seem to hold up well, I usually make a big batch and it lasts for a week in the fridge. (the kind with just an oil base, like Italian dressing) Could make it before you go.

[Libby]

Hmm...toughie.

Chicken/pork shish kebabs? Make your own tzatziki sauce

Grill up some large portabello mushroom steaks

Grilled taters w/veggie toppings

Italian Muffaletta sandwhich - you make ahead, let sit and keep cold til ready to serve. Apparently the longer it sits, the better it gets? Dunno about the soggy factor though.

Sub sammies

Quiona salad - oil & vinegar dressing, tons of herbs and diced veggies (add in diced chicken breast if desired)

Calzones - make ahead, wrap well and reheat when its time to eat? (veggie filling is what I was thinking of - spinach, feta, olives, tiny bit of diced sausage with mozza)

Pizza - make them as ordered to preference? Just keep ingredients cold til day of. You can cheat too by using greek style pitas so everyone can have their own personal size

Quiche? - Just reheat on the day of

Three bean salad - canned bean salad

Bagged salad greens

A great side dish we've been enjoying - bagged coleslaw. The day you're going to eat it, mix in enough three cheese ranch bottled dressing and mix well, let sit (a few hours) & chill. Re mix just before serving. Instant tasty coleslaw. I managed to turn anti-vegetable people into lovers of coleslaw this way

HTH

[shoiji]

Grilled chicken salad.

Sausage made out of chicken or turkey.

Canned fruit for fruit salad or applesauce

[Contrary Housewife]

Thanks for the suggestions. I looked at what I had in the freezer and what they had at the store and came up with this today, and it even fits inside my budget.

1. sandwich assortment (tuna, egg salad, turkey) and caesar salad

2. grilled chicken, broccoli, sweet potato fries

[l8eebugg]

You are making me hungry!!! Everything sounds delicious