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Meals with no cooking facilities except a kettle

35 replies

Tagaagajavdv · 08/05/2021 20:27

Hello

My accommodation (short term) has come with a set of awkwardness and rules so I’m having to figure out how to survive without cooking facilities except a kettle.

I can eat fresh fruit, and will order some protein bars/shakes to my Amazon locker but other than that I can’t think of what I can make except pot noodle/mugshot/similar type meals. I have access to a microwave at work but very limited fridge space here.

If anyone has any very simple, not messy ideas I’d be most grateful

This I should add is only for a few weeks

OP posts:
Callixte · 11/05/2021 10:26

I used to travel a lot for work pre-COVID; it was often hotels and there'd be a new assortment of kettle + fridge + possibly microwave + sometimes a limited kitchen (and sometimes none of the above) every time. If you have no fridge where you're living. the trickiest part can be buying “just enough for one meal” of things that need to be refrigerated.

One of my “no fridge” kettle-cooking stand-bys when travelling for work is gnocci (box or package, not the fresh kind). It doesn’t need to be refrigerated, cooks through quickly (2-3 minutes directly in the kettle with water), add a few spoonfuls of jarred pesto and let the hot gnocchi heat the sauce.

I’ve also cooked cherry tomatoes, various veggies, fresh pasta, eggs (boiled), and hot dogs (any pre-cooked sausage would work) directly in the kettle in just water with minimal mess.

If your kettle has a wide opening, you can also put a tin in and cover it with water and boil - I like the small one-serving ones, and make sure to get flip-top if you don’t have a can opener. Corn, baked beans, chilli, ratatouille all work well. If the kettle’s large enough, you could also heat prepared foods that come in plastic sachets - e.g., flavoured rice, Indian dishes from (e.g.) Soul, or the various chilis, curries, bean and lentil dishes etc. from Merchant Gourmet, Heinz Creations, etc. Just put the whole thing in unopened, with enough water to cover as it boils.

Hard cheese will keep a few days unrefrigerated - things like parmesan or aged asiago do best.

If you eat meat, consider jerky or dried sausage-type things that don’t need to be refrigerated. And of course nuts, crackers, dried fruit, etc.

Most fresh veg will go slimy quickly if left out but peppers, tomatoes, and avocados are OK for a few days.

Fresh soups that are meant to be served cold (e.g. gazpacho) are easy, if you can find single-serving containers.

Zip-lock bags are useful to keep everything separated, fresh, and easily visible.

EssentialHummus · 11/05/2021 11:07

@Callixte I'm really impressed with your ingenuity!

SeaToSki · 11/05/2021 11:17

If you dont have a fridge, I would get yourself a cooler box and put new ice in in daily, you can usually buy ice from an off license. Or if the work fridge has a little freezer slot then get two sets of freezer blocks and switch them each day. Then look at a rice cooker, its effectively the same as a kettle. Buy lots of salad stuff with nuts and chickpeas and dried fruit. Couscous cooks in 5 mins in a bowl with boiling water poured over it, microwave rice can also be reheated in boiling water. Basically anything that is microwave in a bag is usually already cooked and just needs reheating. If you dunk it in boiling water for 5 mins it should get nice and warm.

SunflowersAndLavender · 11/05/2021 11:22

Can't you buy a small cheap microwave? Do you have access to a fridge?

What kind of 'accommodation' comes with absolutely no cooking facilities? Confused

For protein you can eat scotch eggs. Or you could buy a small plug in egg boiler as well, cheap and very useful.

helpfulperson · 11/05/2021 11:41

Have a look on line for no cook backpacking recipes. There is loads of suggestions.

steppemum · 11/05/2021 12:08

When my kids did DofE, they bought ready meals for backpacking. They are a sealed packet, things like spaghetti bolognese, meatballs and rice, etc.
You either add hot water to them, or boil them in hot water. (so in the kettle) They are filling and pretty tasty, but not cheap. You have to buy them in a camping shop though

Divineswirls · 11/05/2021 12:12

Vermicelli Rice noodles only need a few minutes to soften in boiled water. You can add miso and Chinese cabbage and ham / cooked chicken, spring onions to make a pho type broth.

Cous cous with chopped veg.

orinocosfavoritecake · 11/05/2021 12:21

Bulgur wheat cooks like couscous.

minniemomo · 11/05/2021 12:28

Couscous and salad, buy rotisserie chicken on the way home. Fish can be eaten raw or "cooked" in lime juice, cook a baked potato at work, wrap in foil and take home. Can you not get a grill eg George foreman or a sandwich maker?

indignatio · 02/10/2022 20:54

Really useful. Thank you

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