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Travel-Friendly Meals

Cooking on the road doesn’t need to mean compromises. These are the meals we rely on during long drive days or when the RV kitchen feels too small to think. They’re simple, filling, and use ingredients that pack, store, and reheat easily — ideal for road trips, rentals, or any busy week at home.

This shawarma-style sub leans on pantry-friendly ingredients that don’t need refrigeration — dried oyster mushrooms and soy chunks. Once rehydrated, they soak up the Middle Eastern spice blend and deliver a rich, savory umami flavor that carries the whole sandwich. Sautéed peppers and onions add sweetness and texture, and the long sub roll ties everything together into a hearty plant-based meal. It’s a recipe that fits everyday cooking and travel alike. The dried ingredients are easy to stash in the pantry or RV bin, and the finished subs wrap neatly to take along for lunch on the go. Filling, flavorful, and travel-ready — exactly the kind of sandwich we repeat often.

Mushroom & Soy Shawarma Sub

This creamy tahini spread is smooth, rich, and totally addictive. Tahini is a key ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, such as hummus and baba ghanoush. It’s also used as a dressing, dip, or even in desserts (and a great egg-replacement in the vegan kitchen!). When mixed with lemon juice and garlic, tahini becomes even more versatile, adding depth and richness to a wide range of dishes. I read a post by someone on social media that was calling for ideas what to do with tahini, so good news to whomever is still looking for those recipes - I’m a lifelong tahini fan and use it everywhere. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with that jar of tahini, you’re in the right place. I add it to hummus spread, as a dressing for salads, as an egg replacement, as an addition to my morning oatmeal and so much more.

Delicious Creamy Tahini Spread

This isn’t your standard picnic slaw. I add lemon juice for zing, vegan mayo for creaminess, a touch of sugar for balance, and dried cranberries for a pop of sweetness and texture. It’s fresh, crunchy, and perfect for pairing with anything from burgers to brunch.

Crisp and Zesty Coleslaw

This vegan waffle recipe is designed for repeat use. The texture holds after freezing and reheating, the flavor stays neutral enough for sweet or savory toppings, and the ingredient list focuses on fiber and plant protein rather than refined fillers. It’s a reliable option when you need breakfast to function—at home or packed for travel—without sacrificing taste or nutrition. On RV trips, these waffles double as a practical meal for my kids: easy to pack, no crumbs everywhere, and flexible enough to serve plain, with nut butter, or alongside fruit and yogurt. We also use them for simple dinners—topped with hummus, avocado, or leftover vegetables—when cooking space and energy are limited. One batch covers multiple meals without feeling repetitive, which is exactly what I need on the road and during long travel days.

Healthy Vegan Waffles

Some nights I just want everything to happen in one pan — no juggling pots, no sink full of dishes. This vegan bulgur and bean curry came out of that mood and has become a regular in our rotation. Bulgur gives it that satisfying chew, the beans add protein, and coconut milk ties it all together in a creamy curry sauce that tastes like you worked harder than you did. I throw in whatever vegetables I have — spinach, cauliflower, onion — and season it with curry powder, paprika, turmeric, and soy sauce. Everything simmers together until the flavors blend and the kitchen smells incredible. It’s hearty, simple, and travels well too — exactly the kind of dinner that works for busy weekdays or RV nights on the road.

One-Pan Bulgur & Bean Curry

This is a fresh, balanced Mediterranean salad built around crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, and peppery arugula—simple, clean ingredients that come together in the best way with just olive oil, lemon, and salt. It’s the kind of salad you’ll find on repeat across the region, especially when paired with a bowl of fluffy couscous on the side. The couscous isn’t just a filler—it’s a natural extension of the meal, adding substance without weighing it down. Everything comes together quickly, and it’s easy to scale up for a crowd or pack for a road trip lunch.

Couscous Salad

Have you ever wondered how to whip up something absolutely delicious from tofu, but also have it be protein-packed and gluten-free? This is it! One bowl to mix, one pan to bake — is all you need to make these glorious addicting tofu bites. They come out golden and crisp on the edges, chewy inside, and loaded with flavor. When I make them, they fit in wraps, over rice bowls, or just straight off the pan. And since there’s no frying or coating mess, they’re perfect for travel days or lunch prep — baked once, they hold up great cold or reheated. Gluten-free, plant-based, and ridiculously easy to customize with whatever sauce or seasoning you like.

Protein-Packed GF Tofu Bites

When we hosted a summer dinner recently, we wanted something that felt fresh and thoughtful without requiring a lot of time or fuss in the kitchen. This salad came together naturally—raw yellow beet for crunch and earthiness, sweet dried figs for a touch of richness, and peppery arugula balanced by the light, delicate alfalfa sprouts. The date-mustard dressing adds just the right hint of sweetness and tang to bring it all together. It wasn’t meant to steal the show, but quietly complemented the meal and fit perfectly with the relaxed, easygoing atmosphere we hoped to create.

Fig and Beet Salad

I usually buy parsley with the idea that I’ll use “just a little” in a recipe, and then I’m left with a big bunch staring at me from the fridge. This salad is my solution. Instead of letting those greens wilt away, I chop the whole thing and make it the main event. It’s fresh, full of flavor, and takes almost no effort. The best part is how forgiving it is. Walnuts give it crunch, but almonds or pecans work if that’s what’s in the pantry. Cheese adds creaminess and the dressing is quick to whip together with what we usually have on hand, and it makes the parsley feel less like “just herbs” and more like a real salad. This isn’t a kid-friendly dish in our house (the parsley is just too “green” for them), but it works great for the adults. I’ll make it at home when dinner needs something light on the side, or pack it into a container when we’re traveling in an RV and want an easy salad to balance out heartier meals. Since it’s dairy-free and plant-based, it holds up well for hours on the road without the stress of refrigeration worries you get with mayo-based dressings. It’s fast, flexible, and keeps parsley from going to waste—a little grown-up salad that travels well.

Wonderful Parsley Salad

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Mushroom & Soy Shawarma Sub

This shawarma-style sub leans on pantry-friendly ingredients that don’t need refrigeration — dried oyster mushrooms and soy chunks. Once rehydrated, they soak up the Middle Eastern spice blend and deliver a rich, savory umami flavor that carries the whole sandwich. Sautéed peppers and onions add sweetness and texture, and the long sub roll ties everything together into a hearty plant-based meal.

It’s a recipe that fits everyday cooking and travel alike. The dried ingredients are easy to stash in the pantry or RV bin, and the finished subs wrap neatly to take along for lunch on the go. Filling, flavorful, and travel-ready — exactly the kind of sandwich we repeat often.

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