Vacationing in snow: Quick homemade meals for the slopes
Going on a winter break trip is now one of the few chances to see snow. While most of the country is already seeing signs of spring, the mountain ski slopes are operating at full speed. Those craving more snow are heading to Austria and Italy for their vacations. After an intense day on the slopes, nothing satisfies quite like a warm homemade dinner. To save time and money on vacation, prepare delicious ready-made meals in jars.
When preparing for a summer vacation, few pack dinners in jars. The abundance of seasonal vegetables and fruits and the desire to try local culinary specialties encourage restaurant dining. It's different during winter breaks. After many hours on the slopes, it's nice to unwind in a cabin or apartment. A meal ready in just 5 minutes is a real relief.
What to take on a winter break in jars?
To prepare a quick, warming dinner in winter, vegetable, legume, or meat sauces are the best options. A litre-sized jar can hold portions for 3-4 people. For such a dish, all you need to do is cook rice, pasta, or grains. Soups in jars, like chicken broth, tomato, or cucumber soup, also work well. A hot and nourishing broth has the added benefit of being portable in a thermos to the slopes.
How to prepare broth in a jar?
For the slopes, a vegetable broth without meat works best. It's tasty, aromatic, and ideal for drinking. Cook the broth with fresh vegetables and then pour it into clean, sterilized jars. Seal and pasteurize for 20 minutes in a pot of boiling water or in the oven at 120°C.
If you want to take chicken broth with you, pasteurize the jar twice. This rule applies to all meat preserves.
Breton beans – a universal dish for a trip
All kinds of stews and one-pot meals work well during winter trips, such as Breton beans. It is a hearty meal in vegetarian and meat versions that quickly replenishes calories lost on the slopes. You can serve beans during a break between outdoor activities or for an English-style breakfast before heading out to ski, snowboard, or sled.
Bolognese sauce – a jar meal the whole family loves
Another idea for a quick jarred meal during winter break is the classic Bolognese pasta sauce. Onion, ground meat, tomato sauce – this is a dish that you can not only serve quickly on a trip but also prepare efficiently at home. It's perfect for those who want to save on meals during travel but don't have time for tedious home preparations. For Bolognese sauce, remember about tyndallization (triple pasteurization at 24-hour intervals).
Leczo, a hearty vegetarian meal
For travel, all kinds of vegetable dishes and stews are great, like leczo. To prepare a jarred dish, sauté chopped onion, bell pepper, and zucchini in a pan. Add canned tomatoes and simmer under cover with spices. To make the dish more filling, add red beans. Reheat the jarred meal in a pot or microwave. Serve with bread or rice.
A warming Indian-style dinner
The last suggestion is Indian cuisine dishes in delicious, aromatic sauces. In one pot, you can pack an entire hearty meal. Prepare curry with vegetables or chicken tikka masala. Serve the dish in a creamy sauce with Indian naan bread or tortilla. To have everything ready in 5 minutes, use packaged products from the store.
