Later today Ryan and I are getting on a plane and going to the DMV. That’s DC, Maryland, and Virginia ya’ll. Yeah, I said ya’ll because I’m going back to the US. And yeah, we’re going to all three parts of the DMV. Virginia to stay, DC to visit with friends and colleagues, and Maryland to party at a wedding. I’m incredibly excited because I haven’t been back to the area since June and I cannot wait to see my friend, eat at my favorite restaurants, and even be a tourist and see the monuments on the Mall.
However, the thing about being on vacation is that I don’t usually eat very well. I usually spend most of my time out at restaurants and eating whatever I want. Then, by the time I go home I’m ready for a healthy eating detox. Also, restaurants are expensive. So I was wondering if it was possible for me to cook some meals in my hotel room. Ya know, so I could be a little healthy, feel homey, and spend a little less. I did some research and I found out people make all kinds of crazy meals in hotel rooms! I’ve compiled ten ideas for hotel cooking.
I’ve chosen recipes that can be made with things found in a standard hotel room: mini fridge, coffee maker, iron, and mugs. The only special tools you should need are aluminum foil and knife, which I bet you could borrow from the hotel.
1. Yogurt with Granola – Easy, delicious and filling. Also, if you have a favorite homemade granola that’s really easy to bring with you in your carry on.
2. Cereal – Use the mug in your hotel room as your bowl, and you’re set for cereal. Buy your favorite brand from a local grocery store, or mix your own cereal using some granola, oats, and dried fruit. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can’t mix and match what you make for breakfast.
3. Soft or hard boiled egg – This is such an ingenious recipe idea! Put the egg in the coffee pot then run the water through and your egg will cook. So simple and yet so cool.
4. Ginger and Lemon Fruit Salad – Fruit salad is so easy and eating lots of fruit in the morning always makes me feel healthy. I like this recipe because you can buy almost all the ingredients pre-sliced in case you don’t have access to a knife and cutting board. Also, I think using ginger and lemon sounds like a nice twist.
5. Oatmeal – I’m not a fan of oatmeal, but it makes sense for travel breakfasts. It’s easy to carry with you and easy to fancy it up with seasonings, fruits, and honey.
1. Rice – Use instant rice and all you have to do it run the water and keep the machine running so it will stay hot until cooked through. Rice can be a great base. You can mix in things you buy at the store or mix in leftovers from when you went to a restaurant.
2. Steamed vegetables – This recipe seems like a lot of work because you’ll have to run the water through a few times to get the vegetables to your desired done-ness. However, sometimes I crave vegetables after eating lots of heavy foods, so it might be worth it. Also you could also cut the veggies thin and then “grill” them using the iron. You can see videos on cooking veggies in a coffee maker here.
3. Quesadilla – So easy and very few ingredients. All you’ll need is tortillas, cheese, and other thing veggies or spices you might like. Wrap it all in aluminium foil and then press it with a hot iron until melted. Easy and delicious.
4. Grilled cheese – Basically the same method as the quesadilla. You don’t have to go crazy and be as fancy as to make crab grilled cheese, but you can add some flair to your sandwich and simply press it with the iron covered in aluminium foil.
5. Lemon Pepper Chicken – I’m simultaneously terrified and intrigued by this recipe. I mean cooking chicken in a coffee pot?! But basically the idea is that you’re poaching the chicken. It seems worth trying just to see how it would come out. Also, you could cut the chicken really thin, wrap it in tin foil, and cook it with a hot iron.
So here’s a list of 10 recipes, 5 for breakfast and 5 for lunch and dinner, that you can cook in a basic hotel room. I’ll let you know what I try out and if I’m brave enough to cook in the coffee pot!
