Taking Your Food on Vacation

Written by Lori Reamer, RD for Galtime.com

If the title of this article peaked your interest enough to read further, you might be thinking this is an article about amazing food destinations.  But to be clear, this is an article about taking your food on vacation. 

Globetrotters are people who travel frequently and often embrace the culture and cuisine of their destinations. New and exciting destinations can serve as a source of revival and inspiration for bringing flavor into your life and into your food.  The signs and signals that alert you that you might be in need of a vacation can often mirror how you are feeling about your food.  Are you tired and uninspired?  Does your food feel boring and unimaginative?  Taking your food on a vacation can be a great way to turn an underwhelming attempt at dinner into a meal of remembrance.  

Please join me as I show you how to take a popular summer favorite, salads, for a spin using this concept.  

Asia...shred cabbage and top with Mandarin oranges, bean sprouts, sauteed Shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, grilled chicken or tofu, garlic and scallions.  Sprinkle with baked ramen noodles (example:  Dr. McDougall's brand) for some crunch and drizzle with a homemade dressing using ginger, soy sauce, garlic and sesame oil or opt for a healthy ingredient bottled version such as Annie's Organic Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette.  Serve with brown rice noodles dressed in a splash of sesame oil and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Mediterranean...top a fresh romaine and iceberg mix with chopped dates, cucumber, tomato, chick peas, feta cheese, black olives and grilled lamb or chicken.  Drizzle with a red wine vinaigrette or a tzatsiki sauce using yogurt and cucumbers.  Serve with toasted pita points. 

Mexico...chop iceberg lettuce and adorn with roasted corn, black beans, salsa, shredded Monterey jack cheese, a dollop of low-fat sour cream, chunky salsa, seasoned ground beef or chicken.  Drizzle with ranch dressing and taco sauce.  Sprinkle with crumbled tortilla chips or dip whole tortilla chips into the salad, scoop and enjoy as you would a dip.  

Trip advisor for taking your salads on vacation:

• Build salads that embrace flavor destinations you normally enjoy
• Try chopping the ingredients of any salad and serving inside a wrap or pita.  Limit dressing to minimize sogginess and save calories
• Change and mix your greens from day-to-day as well as within a salad
• Chopped fresh fruit adds a refreshing crunch; for example, a chopped apple adds 4 grams of fiber and a refreshing sensory experience
• Include a starch in the salad or on the side to help increase your sense of satiety and fullness; choose whole grain when available
• Use a small amount of a sharp cheese for a big flavor contribution
• Add different destination style spices to basic oil and vinegar to create regional flavor profiles

As with travel, the numbers of possible food destinations are endless.  Be adventurous and take your appetizers, entrees and desserts on a global food spin too!

The Food That Fits