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Kicking back in the snowy mountains is the start to a vacation full of wonderful memories, but you’ll also need a few meals to nourish your family before and after a long day of fun outdoor activities. Whether you have a fully-equipped kitchen in your mountain cabin or prefer to cook on the grill, choosing the right meals will set everyone on the right path and help make the family vacation one to remember.
1. Nacho Salad
In a pan that goes in an oven or on a fire, lay out a bed of nacho chips and add lettuce and other furnishings on top. You can either top it with dressing or plain sour cream, and then add a dash of chopped cilantro to the top for a final garnish.
2. Tomato and Yogurt Shakshuka
In a large saucepan, mix harissa and tomato paste with red peppers and your favorite seasonings. After sautéing with tomatoes for a while, crack six eggs into the mix and wait until the whites have gently set. Serve it with bread, if that is available. Your family might even ask for shakshuka when you get home too.
3. Buffalo Potato Skins
These can make a great snack, or you can top them with chicken to round them out into a full meal. If you have the choice available to you, fingerling potatoes transform this meal into a bite-sized snack that’s fun to take on the go.
4. Chicken Tamale Pie
After making a chili with chunky pieces of chicken, pour it into a base made out of cornbread or polenta. You can stick this in the oven or on a fire to create a one-pot tamale pie that’s sure to satisfy everyone in the family!
5. Fish Tacos
Admittedly, you may not necessarily find many fish in the mountains, but if you bring along canned fish, you can easily make tacos in bulk wherever you are. If you are staying near a mountain river or stream, you could even try fishing for dinner. Recommendation: Opt for cayenne instead of chili powder.
6. Chicken Ratatouille
Don’t let the name intimidate you; if you can find squash and eggplant, you can easily make a quick casserole with enough nutrients to keep you on your feet and enough variety to entertain the kids.
7. Skillet Lasagna
It might surprise you to know that you can make lasagna in a skillet with the help of no-boil noodles! Lasagna is sure to be a winner with everyone. Regular noodles work, too, but you’ll want to cook them very al dente before they go in the skillet.
8. Vegan Enchiladas
If you can’t find enchilada sauce, it’s not hard to make in the mountains. Just mix tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, veggie stock, oregano, and flour. Or if you’d rather make green enchiladas, green salsa works just fine!
The Bottom Line
Remember, cooking on vacation doesn’t have to be a big deal, even when you’re feeding an entire family! With a crock pot and a little ingenuity, everyone will be well fed and just as excited for the next meal as they are for the day’s activities.
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