Houseboat Food/Meals

Old Aug 19th, 2008, 10:31 PM
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Houseboat Food/Meals

Hi! I am going on a 4 day 3 night houseboat trip at Lake Powell the week of Labor Day. There are going to be 10 adults and 4 little kids under 4. I've been put in charge of planning out the meals and packing checklists. Are there any suggestions on what are good meals to make on a houseboat? I'd like to purchase groceries smartly!

We're going to be on a 70' Millenium so the kitchen is pretty decent with lots of equipment and cookware I believe.

Thank you so much for any help!
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 12:42 AM
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How cold does it get on the lake in the evenings? Also, will people be catching fish? You might think fish chowder if it's cool-ish. Chili might be another good meal, esp. if y'all be out on the deck the next day (if you are confined to quarters, I would choose something easier on the digestive system!). Bring lots of crackers for the fish chowder, and I bet the kids will eat it.

Actually, I would ask the parents of the little kids to provide the food/most of the planning for the food for them. Many child-friendly meals can be made by cooking it plain, reserving the children's portions, then adding a kicky sauce to the adults' version (think salsa, or wine sauce, or cranberries).

Can you float a watermelon off the side of the boat, to keep it cool?

Bring lots of water, so you don't wind up like the Ancient Mariner!

Hope that helps a little anyway.
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 04:51 AM
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cd
 
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Hot dogs, luncheon meatsand cheese and don't forget peanut butter. For dinner I'd go for easy stuff. Pasta dishes, casseroles, fried chicken, hamburgers teamed with salads and chips.
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 07:49 AM
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For lunch: I would plan on various types of sandwiches with the fixings (let people make their own) since not everyone may want to eat at exactly the same time. Also, you may be in route at lunch time.

For dinner, is there a BBQ grill? (I had one on the last house boat I was on). I would plan on pastas (kids can have plain noodles with butter), green salads, fruit salads, grilled chicken, grilled steaks, hamburgers/hot dogs.

You can really do anything since it is a full kitchen and you will probably be docked when you are cooking dinners and breakfasts.

Last time I went on a houseboat, it was with some major gourmet cooks. For one of my assigned meals I even made vegetarian "sushi" rolls with sesame noodles.

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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 08:01 AM
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I am nearly certain the boat you are on will have everything your kitchen has if not more. I think your cooling and freezing compartments will be large enough to do whatever you want a 4 day trip with 14 people.

I would plan a breakfast daily, lighter noon meal, and then an evening meal.

Breakfasts;
Oatmeal with assorted fruits, brown sugar

Eggs, Bacon or Sausage, Biscuits
(gravy or even omlet if you want)

French Toast, pancakes, or waffles

Noon Meals

Hot dogs or Hamburgers

Sandwiches you can gourment these as much or as little as you like


Evening meals

Fajitas or tacos
fried rice, refried beans, nachos

Spaghetti or lasagne, garlic bread,
nice salad,

Steak, baked potato, grilled veggies
cheesecake for dessert

Snacks
cookies, popcorn, homemade trail mix, chip and dips, brownies, fruit

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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 10:40 AM
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The less cooking the better. I would not plan hot breakfasts, for instance. Cereals, fresh fruit, etc. worked best for us. It is already warm in the morning, and unless you want to be running your a/c all of the time (which requires more generator fuel), the cabin heats up quickly.

Sandwiches for lunch - we made some great ones with red pepper spread or olive tapenade, different breads and rolls.

In the evenings, grilling outside worked best for us. Steaks, cedar-planked fish, Fajitas, etc. We tried to cook indoors as little as possible.
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 10:46 AM
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How the heck did you get stuck with that job?
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 11:49 AM
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For breakfast I would think fresh fruit, yougurts and cereals and granola.
Stone fruits and bananas for the first breakfast, melons on the 2nd and 3rd because they can store easier than the stone fruit without attracting gnats.
One the last breakfast, plan something special like a fritata or some type of breakfast casserole.

Have enough fruit on hand for snacks for the kids.

But I would asked the cooks what they want? Are you the cook too?
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 03:48 PM
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Why not suggest each person take a day - make it easy on yourself!

How about make your own mexican tacos/ wraps, etc... - can be as healthy or decadent as you like and the kids would like it too!
Dessert - bring some homemade cookies or brownies.

I would bring an assormtnet of muffins/ danish/ bagels and have people help themsleves - it IS a vacation aterall!
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 06:07 PM
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I strongly suggest you let each family choose a dinner choice for each night. Hopefully, you can get them to cook it, but if not, at least you won't get all of the pressure and all of the blame if they don't like your choices.

Taking turns cooking dinner is the only fair option.

Easy breakfast/ lunch choices and plenty of snacks. But, then again, make the attendees make suggestions.
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 06:41 PM
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WOW- I remember all too well-- it has been several years ago- I spent vacation week at Smith Mtn Lake- (saw those gigantic houseboats on the lake and how I wished I was on one- something I got to do before I die) anyway--I rented a big house on the lake- and had at least a dozen folks in and out all week- worked me to death-- I was in charge of the cooking as usual- I prepared a big breakfast every morning- make lunch to take for the days on the boat- then came home to make a big dinner in the evening- at the time- there were very few restaurants in the Smith Mtn Lake area.
Anyway-- enough about my story--- if you are going to take this trip- take a fool's advice and delegate some of this on the rest of the group- otherwise- your trip will be miserable. I do hope you get more help on your trip than I did on mine.
Cooking- cleanup etc was all my responsibility-- and everyone else got to vacation. Be smarter than I--lol.
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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 07:09 PM
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Hey knemo!

Hope you will post a trip report, as we will be doing this the first week in October.

DS worked at Wahweap Marina last summer and earned a free week on one of the boats. Here is what he's told me about meals:

Remember, unless you plan to stay at the dock the entire time, you can't be running off to the store to get something. So you want to keep the number of perishable done to a minimum!

Breakfast-keep it simple. Cold cereal, granola bars, fruit, etc. This is also a good idea if you think people will be waking up at different times-they can serve themselves.

Lunch-again, keep it simple. Sandwish, pretzels, chips, fruit, etc. If you plan to go exploring (especially if you are renting a smaller boat at the same time), think of things that can be packed up to go.

Dinner-plan to make use of the grill. Chicken, steaks, burgers, fish, etc. Also, plan a few one pot meals, such as chili and stew (just in case weather is not suitable for outdoor cooking. These are also a good idea if your group plans to break up into smaller parties for different activities. No one has to wait on someone else, and it's self-service.

DS plans to get LOTS of bottled water. If I remember correctly, he told me the boat has a 400 gallon water tank, so you'll want to conserve. He said most people clean up in the lake, just to keep from using up the water in their tank.

Hope you have a great time!

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Old Aug 20th, 2008, 11:33 PM
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We have a houseboat, and we love to cook and eat. Sometimes I go for all gourmet meals, but usually I try to keep things pretty simple. The cooking is fun, but no one wants to spend the time cleaning up. It is best to keep the actual cooking to a minimum, as others mentioned, because the stove/oven will heat up the interior of the houseboat. Running the A/C requires the generator to be on, and on a lot of houseboats that means you will be breathing the fumes when you are trying to relax and enjoy the fresh air. The generator is also very noisy.

Some of our favorite meals:

Breakfast is easiest after the early morning ski run (it's good to have some simple grab-and-go items, too)
Yogurt, granola & fresh fruit
Scrambled eggs with green onion and Laughing Cow cheese; toast, fruit
Breakfast burritos
Pancakes
French Toast made w/Challah or cinnamon bread (thick slices)
Waffles w/ strawberries & bananas
Bagels & Cream Cheese
(avoid cooking bacon -too hot and messy- and substitute ham or sausage instead, if you want some sort of meat)

Lunch
Sandwiches, chips, fruit
Pizza grilled on the BBQ
Taco Salad
Pasta Salad

Dinner
Grilled pork tenderloin sliced and served on hamburger buns with cole slaw & BBQ Sauce
Marinated flank steak, baked potatoes & veggies (all grilled)
Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, green salad
Hamburgers, potato salad, grilled veggies
The different of varieties of couscous that come in boxes are good and they don’t take as long to cook as rice
For dessert I usually try to make cobbler one night (ignoring the rule of not heating up the kitchen)

Snacks
A variety of cheeses and baguettes (try to buy the baguettes the day you start the trip, cut them in thirds and freeze in Ziploc bags (in the houseboat freezer) until you need them. Or just use crackers.
Olives & other marinated, tasty things
Chips, guacamole & salsa (and margaritas, of course)
Fresh fruit
Trail mix
Cut & bake cookies
Lots of things from Trader Joes are perfect

Marinated meats are perfect to prep and freeze at home in gallon Ziploc bags (double bag this sort of thing). Fruit tends to ripen more quickly than usual and breads go stale more quickly, so try to plan the menu accordingly.

As far as drinks go, count on 2-3 bottles of water plus 2 other drinks per person per day (more if you think it will be super hot). Margaritas, sangria, beer and wine are all great for the adults. We don’t like to drink the “fresh” water on houseboats, but we use it for cooking and tooth brushing (we only use lake water for washing dishes, showers, and toilets). If you are the one doing all of the cooking, I'd recommend not doing any of the clean-up yourself -let the other people take care of that.

You'll have a great vacation!
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Old May 20th, 2011, 03:51 AM
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When planning your menu put (1) person in charge that has organizational skills. Its important to not go overboard on the shopping. There is limited space to store everything so its important to shop efficiently. Some idea's that I am doing this year for meals are (for Breakfast) I am making waffles at home and putting them in freezer bags so the girls can simply pop in the toaster. English muffins with egg patties and sausage patties, cerial variety packs, bagels and cream cheese. For lunch and dinner I am making BBQ ahead of time to just heat with slaw, Pizza's on the grill with premade crust, and steak night. Easy and barely any waste at the end of the weekend. I hope this helps when you are planning your fabulous trip.
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Old May 20th, 2011, 03:58 AM
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Everyone's idea to put one family in charge for AT LEAST a dinner is good.
Actually I do this sort of thing 4 times a year (at least) going to our beach place and have a good time doing it. You've got lots of good ideas.
Look up Julia Child's recipe for paella and adapt it to what seafood you can get--or just do it with shrimp, chicken and sausage. It's a great "crowd"" dish.
Fresh caught fish. What could be better--except having to clean them!! Bake on a bed of lemons and serve with roast potatoes.
Take a frozen lasagna for a backup meal.
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Old May 20th, 2011, 04:14 AM
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Wow, a 3 year old post revived.
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Old May 20th, 2011, 04:33 AM
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Oh, GEEZ!! Who looked!! Well, of course, you did. LOL
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