Boat Foods

Over the years I have gone on expeditions that have taken me far from restaurants. Food is always a concern when leaving under sail or going into the bush. MREs meaning Meals Ready to Eat are great for this and I have a few with me on any trip I go on. Though I like the MRE they are somewhat expensive and the menu can be somewhat limited. The technology and convenience of the MRE has made it's way into food available at the local supermarket.

When under extended sail concerns arise that are not important in everyday cooking. Fresh meats and vegetables are usually eaten first and then the non-refrigerated options are used. Spam and Vienna Sausages have been staples in the galley for years and pasta was developed for the sailor. During my years as a charter captain on a fishing boat I seemed to live off of Vienna Sausage and cheese and crackers. When I sailed boats I didn't come back at night for a good meal was a must and was one of the high points of the day.

I went to my local supermarket and was impressed by the conveniences that are currently available. When out to sea being self-sufficient becomes a necessity and power consumption can be more important than price. Cooking requires a power source either through electricity or some type of gas, which creates demands on the boat. Thinking green on a boat is a requirement rather than a luxury.

I enjoy Cajun food and find the hearty meals to give me energy on days I need it. Zatarain's now offers a variety of 8oz packages in MRE type bags that can be cooked in 1 minute in the microwave or 2-3 minutes in a skillet. Red Beans and rice with Sausage, Jambalaya, and Chicken and Sausage Gumbo can be excellent treats after a long day sailing. The durable packaging will hold up well stuffed away in the bottom of a cabinet and won't lose it's label or rust in a locker.

Lipton produces the sides line which is bags of pasta based meals that will cook in about 7 minutes. The bags are not as durable as the Zatarain's product but should fare well if stored where the will not get wet. The meals include Fettuccine Alfredo, Beef Lo Mein, Spanish Rice, Thai Sesame Noodles among others which provide some variety. These meals are also a little over a dollar which provide for some inexpensive provisioning.

Hamburger Helper has microwave singles which cook in less than 5 minutes in a microwave and not much more on the stove. The menu includes Cheesy Beef Taco, Beef Stroganoff, Cheesy Lasagna, and Cheeseburger Macaroni. These are good quick home cooking type meals that can be easily enjoyed when out of sight of land.

The newer more convenient foods were aimed at mothers on the go but have provided a good economical way for those on expeditions of any type to have a good meal. If you are a sailor, hunter, construction worker or student on the go, quick and easy meals are cheaper and more available than ever before. The daily question of what to eat is more easily answered than it ever has.