Not PB&J

March 11, 2011 8:51 AM

Next week, we're going on a ski trip...on a budget. We're looking for meals (Lunch & Dinner) that we can prepare in our hotel room that will be reasonably healthy, nourishing, and delicious. Assume that our room will have a fridge (and possibly access to a microwave/kettle), but nothing else.

As a minor wrinkle, my partner is currently on the Paleo diet (which officially ends tomorrow, thank God). Although working within the diet's many restrictions is not a requirement, I'd like to avoid meals that are massively carb-heavy.

Tack-on question: We'll be staying in South Lake Tahoe. Of course, we wont' be eating every single meal in our room, so I'd love suggestions for places to eat, and things to do around there!

posted by schmod to food & drink (15 answers total)

Fresh tortellini cooks up in a kettle. Drain, remove, add pesto and parmesan. I have first hand experience of this excellent hotel room meal.
posted by Meatbomb at 8:59 AM on March 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

If you have a microwave, you can poach eggs. You can also boil them, but that seems sketchier. That could be the start of some meals. If you get a cooked rotisserie chicken and mayo (and pecans and grapes!) you can use a bunch of eggs to make really good chicken salad.
posted by artychoke at 8:59 AM on March 11, 2011

(sorry, not sure about "carbs" and "paleo" so use your own judgement.
posted by Meatbomb at 9:00 AM on March 11, 2011

(Caveat: If there was a kettle, it would be one that I pack in my luggage. I'd like to avoid doing this, unless you suggest something truly delicious. I have no idea if there will actually be a microwave, so that's just a wild guess. I'll try calling the hotel later to see for sure)
posted by schmod at 9:05 AM on March 11, 2011

Yakisoba noodles--Maruchan they come in different flavors, fill the pan to the water line and microwave. This week they were .89 and they come in cheddar cheese and roasted chicken noodles. Wheat flour. Tasty quick lunch.
posted by AuntieRuth at 9:26 AM on March 11, 2011

Do a google search for travel immersion heater. These plug into any outlet and you hang it on the inside lip of a cup/mug/larger item to boil water. Boiled water + pasta = edible pasta! Boiled water + tea = drinkable tea! Etc.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:40 AM on March 11, 2011

For our most recent ski trip, I brought along a crockpot. I packed a bunch of energy bars/tea/condiments into the crockpot, so it wasn't a huge space-killer (although it was heavy, not sure if you are flying). We had clam chowder, chili, and chicken soup that week.
posted by smalls at 9:43 AM on March 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

Red Hut is good for breakfast. I also highly recommend Nikki's Chat Cafe, if you like Indian. If you're lucky, they'll do a dosa for you.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:45 AM on March 11, 2011

If you have or can get a Electric Fry pan they work wonders for cooking in a hotel room. I have made bacon & eggs, and also brought frozen entrees and they cooked in it well.
posted by MrsMGH at 9:47 AM on March 11, 2011

Eggs + fork + various egg fixin's + microwave = tasty egg scramble.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:53 AM on March 11, 2011

I live in North Lake Tahoe - if you're in a pinch, memail me and I can drop off a kettle or electric fry pan for you to use so you don't have to pack it.
posted by HeyAllie at 10:14 AM on March 11, 2011 [2 favorites]

If you want lunches that you can bring you on the slope then I suggest granola. Mix it up with different types with different additives. If you eat small handfuls during the day you might find that you don't really need a full "lunch" (although you still will likely need to stop to get water and to use the bathroom).
posted by mmascolino at 11:11 AM on March 11, 2011

I've always been a fan of the pocket sandwich for cheap eats while skiing.

Just buy cold cuts, cheese, and veggies at the local grocery store, being careful not to get anything too drippy. (Squished tomatoes, for instance, might ruin your pocket during a bad fall.) You can use hummus and/or cream cheese as condiments that also help "glue" the other ingredients together. Either roll it all up in a tortilla/wrap (lo-carb options are available), or layer it into a bagel, widely admired for its structural integrity.

Super healthy, packed with energy, portable, cheap, and easy. I might stop into a mid-mountain chalet for a hot chocolate to go with my pocket sandwich, and to warm up in general.
posted by nadise at 2:15 PM on March 11, 2011

Evan's is highly rated, and of course, pricey.
There's a Safeway at Bijou Park. Make use of their deli. Soups are good, rotisserie chicken is very versatile.

Tacos fixin's are pretty much salad material. Make a meal of tacos, then a chicken salad. Leftovers can be sandwiches you can take to the slopes. You can buy kaiser rolls, instead of a whole loaf of bread. Ask the deli people for condiment packets.

Nuke some oatmeal, and have some fresh fruit, and pastries from the bakery.
posted by JABof72 at 6:35 PM on March 11, 2011

Sandwiches like nadise says.
posted by dripdripdrop at 7:50 PM on March 11, 2011