What’s with folks keeping their delicious doof dinner ideas on the down-low?
After seeing too many friends subsist on shapes and gummi bears, I’ve decided that now’s the time to get our chow ideas flowing…
And what better time, considering summer is nearly upon us and another doof season soon to begin?
Yes – it’s true…heaps of doofs allow you to bring a camping stovetop, some even selling food on-site.
But for the sake of posterity, we’re going to assume this hypothetical one offers neither option.
Hey, it happens!
I went to a burn a few weeks ago, where you couldn’t buy food at all. Some smaller doofs can be like this. But it’s always good to be self-reliant, regardless. Plus your wallet will thank you.
Still – three days of doofing without fire or food trucks: what’s a hungry hippie to do?
When it comes to packing for such occasions, one must figure out how to meet a wide range of criteria: nutritional content (how good for you is it?), satiability (how much will it fill you up?) and last but not least: taste factor (is it even yummy?)…
After all, whatever you pack, you’re going to have to want to eventually eat.
There’s also the question of how well certain foods will keep in an esky or hot car over the course of a weekend.
But with a bit of resourcefulness and plenty of foresight, you can avoid a disaster dinner and make sure your muscles are fed well for the dance-floor that awaits.
Here’s my version of a wicked meal plan designed to keep the average doofer well nourished for three days out in the sticks:
DAY ONE
Breakfast: wholegrain wrap with peanut butter and sliced banana
Lunch: tuna and pesto pasta salad.
Dinner: nachos with homemade salsa
Snacks: roasted veggie chips, green juice
Supper: punnet of blueberries
DAY TWO
Breakfast: coconut chia pudding
Lunch: peanut butter corn thins and apple
Dinner: wholegrain tuna and cucumber wrap with hot sauce
Snacks: trail mix, orange, Babybel cheese
Supper: M&M’s (chocolate can’t melt in a shell!)
DAY THREE
Breakfast: corn thins with butter and vegemite, apple on the side
Lunch: wholegrain wrap with peanut butter and sliced banana
Dinner: tuna and pesto pasta salad
Snacks: veggie sticks and hummus, beef jerky
Supper: orange
PREP INSTRUCTIONS
On the day before, you’ll need to prepare:
- Coconut chia pudding
This might sound like some fancy boujee-ass fare, but it’s really easy to make. All you’ve got to do is pop four tablespoons of chia seeds and a cup of coconut milk into a small, lidded container. Add a touch of vanilla essence or cinnamon and honey for a bit of sweetness, then stir. Store in the fridge and then when you pack the day of, keep it in the esky. (Hot tip: you can actually buy these ready-made.)
- Tomato salsa
My boyfriend makes the best tomato salsa. It’s so good to dig into with some tortilla chips for dinner at the end of a long day of adventures. Mix corn, diced tomato, capsicum, onion, lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin and jalapenos (plus any other ingredients you like) and store in the fridge to let the flavours marinate and meld together. Pack into the esky.
- Pesto pasta salad
A cold pasta salad base is really handy for adding in fresh veg like spinach leaves or cherry tomatoes. But in this meal plan, we’re just going to be adding a tin of tuna for when it’s mealtime. Simply cook two servings of pasta, drain, mix with a good amount of olive oil plus ready-made basil pesto and refrigerate in 2x separate Tupperware containers. Pack into the esky.
- Veggie sticks
Grab a carrot and a stalk of celery and chop into nice and easy, dip-ready sticks. We’re going to eat these with the hummus. Store in a small Tupperware container and pack into the esky.
For your esky, buy and pack:
- Butter (shave off a bit and store in small Tupperware container)
- Bottle of green juice
- Punnet of blueberries
- Small net of individually wrapped Babybel cheeses
- 1x small Lebanese cucumber
- 2x single serving tins of tuna
- A small bottle of hot sauce
- 3x apples
- 2x oranges
For your car, buy and pack:
- Packet of Tortilla Chips
- Packet of Wholegrain Wraps
- Peanut Butter and Vegemite
- Roasted Veggie Chips
- Packet of trail mix
- Packet of beef jerky
RATIONALE
This doofing meal plan is inspired by the Mediterranean diet, said to be one of the healthiest in the world. With plenty of olive oil, fresh tomato, tuna, fruit and herbs, you’re getting a solid dose of healthy fats plus fibre for good roughage and regularity.
I’ve avoided refined carbs (due to the dreaded crash that often follows after consuming them), sticking to wholegrain varieties instead in our wraps, pastas and corn crackers. The chia pudding will give you a nice hit of Omega-3’s and the beef jerky is your go-to if you need your salts replenished (or a post-party, muscle-nourishing protein surge.)
If you’re sure to drink plenty of water throughout the days, this meal plan should keep you raring to go.
SUCCESS?
What do you think? Would you be happy eating this way for three days at a doof? Have I given you any sweet ideas? Or have I missed out on something absolutely essential? I’d love to know.
Let me know in the comments below…
*Vegans and vegetarians can easily adapt this meal plan by replacing animal products with plant-based protein substitutes.
**I am definitely not a nutritionist. You should consult with your health practitioner before switching to any diet that’s different to your usual one.
