Driver Lifestyles
Easy Trucker Friendly Recipes for a Cookout or Reunion
Whether you are going to a family reunion, a sports event, the Expedite Expo Driver Sponsored BBQ (July 27th after the show) or just parked up joining in a truck stop cookout, having some easy recipes in your culinary repertoire for dishes to share can provide extra time to have more fun. Here are a few recipes, they can be made on the truck and do not require a full kitchen. These recipes will serve 4-6 people; the recipes can be doubled or tripled if more is needed for a crowd.
UGLY DIP
Ingredients
1-large box of processed cheese-cut into pieces
2 cans tomatoes with peppers partially drained
Optional: 2 diced pickled or fresh jalapeño peppers
Directions
Place all ingredients into crock pot or loaf pan for Burton cooker. Cook until cheese is melted stirring once in awhile. Serve hot or room temperature with chips.
HO DI DOES
Ingredients
1 package thinly sliced ham, beef or other sandwich meat
Green onions, washed and peeled
Soft cream cheese in a tub Or soften to room temperature the blocks of cream cheese
Directions
Take a slice of meat and spread one-half of the meat with about a tablespoon of cream cheese, place a green onion at edge of covered half then roll up. Figure two HO DI DOES per person so adjust amounts of meat, onions and cheese to how many people will be served. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. (These are also good for a snack on the truck, make ahead and then keep in the cooler until snack time.)
CORN SALAD
Ingredients
1-1# bag frozen corn thawed
1/4 cup each diced onion and green pepper Or 1/2 small container of pico de gallo (about 1/2 cup)
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
4 tablespoons sugar or sweetener (or to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Mix vegetables together in a bowl (or gallon sized freezer bag), mix vinegar, water, sugar and salt and pepper together and pour over vegetables, mix well then refrigerate until ready to eat.
LEMONY APPLESAUCE SALAD
Ingredients
2 packages lemon gelatin
1 small jar applesauce (2 cup size)
2 cups hot water
Optional: 1 large apple finely diced
Directions
Mix gelatin in hot water until dissolved. Add the applesauce and diced apple if desired and mix well. Refrigerate until set.
VINEGAR COLE SLAW
Ingredients
1 bag of mixed shredded cabbage (already prepared for cole slaw)
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar or sweetener or to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 teaspoon celery seed
Directions: Place slaw mix into bowl or gallon size freezer bag. Mix vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper then pour over slaw mix. Mix well, refrigerate.
MAPLE SYRUP BAKED BEANS
Ingredients
1 large can baked beans partially drained of juice
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 jar of real bacon bits-about 4 tablespoons (found in salad aisle)
1/2 cup maple syrup
Directions
Mix all together in baking pan (loaf pan if using a Burton Cooker). Heat until hot and bubbly. To make this a one dish meal, add diced ham, sliced polish sausage or hot dogs. This can also be made in a crock pot.
EASY GREEN BEANS
Ingredients
2 cans green beans or 1-1# bag of frozen green beans or 1# fresh green beans stemmed and cut into pieces.
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 jar of real bacon bits or 1/4 cup diced ham
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Place all ingredients into cooker, pot, microwave or oven dish. Cook until onions are tender or until green beans are tender if using fresh or frozen.
Options: To make this a meal, add diced potatoes and use ham or sausage instead of the bacon bits, cook until potatoes are done.
HOBO PACKETS
Ingredients
1 large potato for each packet-washed and sliced—to make about one cup per serving
1 small onion for each packet-peeled and sliced
1 head of cabbage roughly chopped (may need more than one head if serving a crowd)
Butter or olive oil
Salt and pepper
Heavy aluminum foil
Directions
Tear off aluminum foil into about 10 inch lengths---enough for how many people will be served
Onto each aluminum foil section, place roughly 1 cup potato slices, the onion slices, 1 cup chopped cabbage, 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil and salt and pepper. Seal edges of foil to make packet so it does not leak. Continue until you have enough packets for each person. Grill for one hour or until potatoes are tender OR bake in oven until done OR if only a couple are needed, these may be done in a Burton cooker or crock pot. Open carefully. To make these a meal, add a thin chicken breast, meat patty or smoked sausage to each packet.
LAZY PERSON’S FANCY DESSERT
Ingredients
Large containers of premade pudding, two different flavors or make your own puddings
Large container whipped topping
Optional: jar of maraschino cherries or tiny chocolate chips
Small 8 oz clear plastic cups (may use smaller cups)
Directions
Place one flavor of pudding into bottom 1/4 of cup, then add other flavor to 1/2 level, repeat to top of cup. Put about 1 tablespoon of whipped topping on top and put a cherry or a few chips on top of whipped topping if desired. For the truly lazy person, this can be built in a clear plastic bowl instead of individual cups, just make 4 alternate layers of pudding flavors; top with whipped topping and cherries or chips if desired. Refrigerate until served.
With any of the above recipes, the other folks will think you are Chef Pierre or Julia Childs; we will not tell them how easy the recipes truly are to make. Enjoy the cookout or reunion, Bon Appetit!