Minimizing trips to the Grocery Store
We are all pretty good at planning a few days or a week of grocery at a time and many prepare some food dishes in advance of a camping adventure.
What changes are reasonable to consider now with the recent quarantine and social distancing in place now with the onset of the corona virus?
Yes, grocery supplies have been fluctuating widely this week due to preventive quarantine measures being put in place.
It is unfortunate some folks have taken to panic buying and grabbing quantities of food and supply items out of fear they will be left without, but purchasing items in panic and/or getting foods you would never eat is not the answer.
Here's a sensible strategy for purchasing what you will actually need and within your food preferences.
Prepare a spreadsheet or write down a food menu for a week. List meals and snacks you normally eat: breakfast, lunch and snack. Jot down the quantity of these foods you need for 1 week. Multiply the quantity for what you need for 2 – 4 wks. Take your list with you to due your shopping and make reasonable substitutions as necessary due to supply and demand and your RV storage space in the pantry, fridge and freezer.
Avoid purchasing food items etc. that you either don't like or never cook because once the food shortages are over those items will still be in your pantry and unused!?!?!
Ideas for cooking and substitution:
Example: You plan on cooking fresh grilled salmon but there is no room in your RV fridge or freezer to add this item. Consider substituting canned salmon a pantry item.
Combine the canned salmon with a little mustard or mayo, form the patties then lightly cover both sides with panko or regular breadcrumbs. Saute' in 1 – 2 tbsp. of cooking oil over medium heat in a saute' pan for a few minutes on each side. Although this is a small change in your menu plan it may be a simple tasty substitution.
Below is a basic no frills 1 day food menu plan and substitutions ideas.
Example
Day 1 Food Substitutes other
Breakfast fresh fruit and yogurt smoothie frozen or canned fruit with protein powder or powdered milk
Lunch homemade soup canned or boxed soup. If unavailable change your meal plan to fit what is available that you like, perhaps: trail mix and cheese
Dinner rotisserie chicken and salad canned or frozen chicken and steamed frozen broccoli
Snack fresh fruit shelf stable fruit cups
Stay safe and healthy and follow credible health advisories.
Chef MJ
My cookbook Small Kitchen Big Flavors! is available at a great Introductory Price on Ebay and my blog site at : http:/smallkitchenbigflavorsblog.wordpress.com
