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Published on ; last updated on by Carolyn Shearlock
Looking for some good meals underway on a boat?
Several days ago, I discussed the general type of meals that we prefer to eat underway, say on an overnight or multi-day passage. You can read that post here; a quick summary is that I like to prepare one-dish meals ahead of time so that I only have to reheat them when it’s time to eat. We usually eat from mugs or bowls and prefer things that we don’t have to cut up!
Dave and I tend to only eat one “real meal” each day — and we eat that one together — and prefer to snack during our respective watches. That is, snack on good stuff, not junk food snacks. The meals listed here are our favorites for our joint “big” meal of the day.
Here are 10 of our favorite meals underway, with links to recipes if they’re here on TBG, or page numbers/Kindle location numbers for The Boat Galley Cookbook(TBGC).
- Jambalaya — one of our favorites, but make it less spicy if anyone is prone to seasickness. TBGC has three other versions: pages 184, 320 (made with canned ham) and 183 (veggie); Kindle locations 5821, 10405 and 5807.
- Chili — again, make it less spicy than usual. I add a little extra flour to make it quite thick and thus easier to eat. TBGC: 169; Kindle location: 5288.
- Tuxedo Soup — another one that I thicken up with some flour (makes soup stay on the spoon better as the boat moves). TBGC: 168; Kindle location: 5271.
- Baked Ziti — this is simply lasagna with noodles that are much easier to serve in a bowl. I actually use rotini far more often than ziti, but any medium-size pasta will work. TBGC: page 263; Kindle location: 8498.
- White Chicken Chili — a slightly different chili but wonderful. TBGC page 180; Kindle location 5683.
- Goulash/Spanish Rice — the only difference is whether you use pasta or rice as the starch. TBGC: 265; Kindle location: 8572.
- Taco Soup — thicken it with some flour to make it stick to the spoon better. TBGC page 172; Kindle location: 5401.
- Chicken a la King — I serve it plain, without rice, when underway. TBGC page 283; Kindle location: 9176.
- Rice or Pasta Salad — I almost always make a big bowl of this when the weather is going to be hot! Not in TBGC.
- Vegetable Salad a la Que Tal — another good one when it’s hot out. TBGC page 157; Kindle location 4888.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Julie Dausman says
I always make your 5 bean salad before heading out on a passage. It’s great for lunch, makes several portions and I almost always have the ingredients on hand.
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The Boat Galley says
That’s another good one — in fact I have some in the refrigerator right now!
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Paul Harmina says
My favorite boat cook book is “The One Pan Galley Gourmet”.. It is broken down to breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes. It is really nice to only have one pan or pot to clean.
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gene koblick says
I like to make a large pot of small macaroni, when weather is rough its east to add a can of hash to it,or,pasta sauce or chicken and have a hot filling meal. As I previously wrote I’m not a fan of gimbolled stoves!!!
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Chris&Janet says
Although, some folks don’t care for microwave ovens, this is where they come into their own. On a cold watch, even a little heat in the food can be a big morale boost. It can take as little as 2 minutes to heat a portion to a safe but enjoyable temperature, particularly if the servings have been set out early. For a 750 KW microwave that’s 3 aH a serving.
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What a very helpful list! I’m going to add these recipes to my “At Sea” collection and share your suggestions with fellow cruisers. Love The Boat Galley Cookbook!
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Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks Sheryl! Love your DVDs, too!
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Deb Perfitt says
We’ve been cruising in mexico for 2 years now. I’m happy to report that your cookbook has been a blessing to have. I have both the hard copy and Kindle version. I find the Kindle version very handy to have on my phone for quick reference when I’m doing the shopping and need to peek at the recipes. The other thing I’d like to mention is that on most boats that I visit have The Boat Galley Cookbook on their bookshelves right next to Nigel’s and Jimmy Cornells. Its destined to be a must have cruising book.
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Can always count on Carolyn!
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Richard Taylor says
Got her cookbook and recommended equipment aboard right now and have made several of the listed dishes! LOVE Hogfish or Snapper Jumbalaya‼️
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Carol Severson says
Have you done very much with a solar cooker or an Instant Pot? Thinking for these for our sailboat since they can cook unattended. We too usually only eat one regular mood a day. We have fruit and veggies for lunch and boiled eggs and quick stuff for a breakfast snack.
Carol
sailingonseabreezeReply
Carolyn Shearlock says
I love my thermal cooker for unattended cooking: https://theboatgalley.com/thermal-cooker/
I’ve used a solar oven on a friend’s boat and it was great — until the rain moved in and we had to finish cooking on the stove. Still, I’d love to have one and am considering it . . .
I’m not a fan of the instant pot simply because of it’s electrical usage. If you’re on shore power or already running the generator (or have a long day of motoring planned), it’s great. But we are at anchor or on a mooring and our solar just won’t keep up.
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