Vegan Outdoor Eating – 10 Options
Vegan Outdoor Eating – 10 Options. Ok, maybe a few more than 10 but hey, who’s counting?
If you make some of the dishes we make when we are camping, you will be the envy of the campground – everyone will want to eat vegan! Well maybe it isn’t that simple to get everyone to eat vegan, a little wishful thinking. You gotta dream big.
One thing is for sure, it is simple to eat great when you are camping, going on a family picnic or day at the beach.
Here are a variety of ideas, all pretty easy to make and remember there are no rules in cooking, so you can modify and switch it up with the ingredients you have on hand. Who knows, your ingredients just might be better than mine. That would be cool.
Ok let’s get started….vegan camping, vegan picnics, vegan at the beach…what to take…..mmmmmm…….
Vegan Outdoor Eating – 10 Options
Vegan Outdoor Eating – 10 Options. Here are a variety of ideas and options for you and your family as you head out for outdoor fun! I love it!
Its can be as simple as buying all the components or you may choose to make yours from scratch or somewhere in between. Always your choice. The main thing is you’ve got a bit of plan around food and you are ready to eat some delicious, satisfying, healthy, yummy vegan dishes in the great outdoors. I’m not sure about you, but I love eating outside, in a warm spot, with a bit of shade….eating, enjoying nature and whomever I am with. Just being there, perfection.
Top Ten
Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner – Dessert
Breakfast
Avocado Toast
Avocado Toast is always a winner. The good news is you can use toast, bread, crackers…whatever you want. Then you add avocado and whatever else you think might be delicious. Some of my favourites are red onion, red pepper flakes, spicy mayo, pickles, lettuce, tomato, vegan parmesan, cilantro, mint, jalapeno, hot peppers, radishes, sauteed kale, salsa, pine nuts, hemp seeds, salt, pepper, lemon…. anything you think might work, is worth trying.
Soaked Oats or Chia
Soaked chia with fresh in-season peaches. Does life get any better?!
One of the best breakfasts for camping and travel. You can bring you gluten free oats and chia in a container with nut milk or make it in a jar when you get there. I like to make lots and it keeps well in the fridge for a few days. Packed with goodness and plant-based protein. The fun part is adding your extras, any frozen fruit will be beautiful, fresh banana slices or any other fruit for that matter. Again, your only limitation is your imagination.
Tofu Scramble
If you are looking for a high density, high protein, filling, healthy breakfast…. look no further that a delicious tofu scramble. Add some vegan sausages on the side. One fry pan is all you’ll need. For the full recipe and instructions check out this recipe on my blog http://www.veganonthego.net/cheesy-vegan-tofu-scramble/
When we were in Miami, we found the vegan egg from Follow Your Heart and had to try it, 2nd try was a definite win!
Here are some yummy pictures to get you thinking….yeah I want some of that!
Peanut Butter and Toast with Banana
Got kids? Big or small, peanut butter on toast is a winner at any age. Choose your favourite bread or bun, toast or plain, add your favourite nut butter and some bananas. Hey what the heck why not sprinkle with some hemp hearts for a little extra protein to start your day out right. Grab an apple and you are ready to go!
Lunch
Homemade Soup – or Store Bought
One of the things I love is soup, cold or hot, anytime, anywhere. When we go camping or for a picnic when we are kayaking, soup is always delicious. Make a delicious pot of yummy soup and freeze it in a container, just the right size for a meal. When you go camping, it will help keep your other foods cold until you are ready to reheat for an easy fast nutritious meal. Or if going for a picnic, warm up at home and place in a thermos for later. Some rustic bread and a piece of fruit make for a very satisfying meal.
BBQ Hot dogs with Cheese
Everyone loves a veggie dog or tofu dog. One of the most portable picnic items. Take a package and cook them over a fire at the beach or on the BBQ. All you’ll need is some type of bun or bread, a few condiments and you’ve got a yummy fun meal. For a little extra flavour, cut the dogs open and put a slice of vegan friendly cheese to melt and take this little snack to the next level. Elevate it with cool condiments like spicy mayo (vegan mayo and hot sauce) or jalapenos or hot peppers, pickles, veggies…. have fun.
Leftovers
I love leftovers! Every night when we make our dinner, I make a little extra to have some leftovers for the next day for either breakfast or lunch. Leftovers are the best…sometimes cold and sometime warmed up. Left over grilled tofu makes a delicious filling for a sandwich. Put them in a burrito (my husbands favourite) and chow down. Easy, fast, delicious.
Wraps/Burrito – Raw or Pan Baked
Speaking of burritos and wraps they are a must for any camping or picnic trips. The cool thing is everyone can put the filling in that they like, everyone is happy and full. You can add leftovers as above, peanut butter and banana, veggies, tofu, tempeh, veggies, onions, salsa, vegan cream cheese, hummus, roasted veggies, avocado, salsa, hot sauce, anything goes.
One of our favourite fillings is to make up a container with black beans, corn, onions, cucumber, tomatoes and then you have a ready to eat mixture for a quick snack or meal. You can add this filling to a bowl of veggies and add your favourite dressing for wrap free burrito.
Now to have it cold or hot is your personal choice. I like my filled burrito pan fried to get a nice crisp shell and melt the gooey cheese inside! My husband likes his cold. Everyone is happy.
A Great Big Huge Salad with Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Sometimes you’ve been snacking all day and all you really want is a big salad full of everything you can get your hands on. I usually try to visit one of the local farmer’s markets or my own garden to find some delish organic vegetables. If I’m lucky I might also find some edible flowers or fresh herbs to spice up the colours, flavours and textures. For most trips, short or long, I bring a bag of mostly raw nuts, seeds, and raisins to top off any salad or bowl. Think colour, texture, lots of flavours mixed together to create a delicious dish. Consider throwing in some leftover roasted veggies or tofu or some tempeh if you have it. We love to add avocado slices or cooked sweet potato; sautéed mushrooms are delicious too. Top with your favourite salad dressing: mine is homemade and can be found on my blog…. its called “Heaven in a Jar”. Very low oil and lots of flavour! You’ll only need a little. http://www.veganonthego.net/vegan-salad-dressing-heaven-jar/
Dinner
Pesto Pasta with Sauteed Asparagus and Baby Tomatoes
Plan. Make some of the components of your dishes ahead of time and freeze them for when you need them. For an example, this weekend we put together a very last-minute camping trip with our friends and I was able to create this simple pasta with pesto I had previously made and frozen the pesto. All we needed to finish this dish was fresh asparagus and baby tomatoes. We served the pesto, grilled asparagus and tomatoes on re-hydrated fermented noodles. (any pasta will do). We had grilled tofu with this…I’ll tell you more about that later. OMG as good as you would get in any fancy restaurant. All you need is the ability to grill and boil water for the pasta.
Creamy Veggie Mac and Cheese
The cool thing about this is you can make your sauce ahead of time and freeze. Any kind of pasta will do. Garnish with a bit of cilantro or parsley (optional) and serve with a side salad. If you pre-make your sauce, all you have to do is warm it up and cook up some fresh pasta. One pot will do the trick. The cheese sauce recipe consists of potatoes, carrots, onion, coconut mild, nutritional yeast, spices and cashews. Check out the recipe right here, this recipe rocks the Mac and Cheese world for vegans and non-vegans alike. http://www.veganonthego.net/vegan-mac-and-cheese/
Grilled Tofu Steaks, Potatoes and Peas
This is such a winner because it looks so pretty, the colours really pop. Everyone loves BBQ, baked baby potatoes and a hearty meal after a long day of adventure. You can prepare the marinade or buy your favourite dressing and marinate your tofu in that. I use a bit of Bragg Soy Seasoning, Balsamic Vinegar, minced garlic and ginger, a tsp of olive oil and a bit of maple syrup to marinade my tofu in.
Throw the baby potatoes in a pan with a bit of oil, salt and pepper and cook them on one side till they are golden. Continue to turn, add in peas or asparagus and sauté in the pan. Spritz the BBQ pan with a bit of oil and place your slabs of marinated tofu on the grill. Get it nice and hot to get the grill marks, turn and baste with the marinade as you cook. Try to time everything to be ready at the same time is best and takes a bit of practice. Looking for a great marinade for your tofu? Check out this recipe from Fresh here http://www.veganonthego.net/tofu-steaks-marinaded-fresh-style/
Chickpea Stew with Rustic Bread and Salad
Again, this is a dish I would make ahead of time freeze and then warm up when I am camping or for a picnic. For a picnic you can warm it up at home and keep it warm in a good thermos. If you are camping, all you need is one pot, serve with pita bread for dipping, salad on the side. Heaven. Check out the recipe http://www.veganonthego.net/one-pot-chickpea-stew/
Dessert
Fresh Fruit and Coconut Milk Yogurt
This the simplest dessert ever. Grab some of your favourite vegan yogurt or make your own. Throw in any type of fruit, nuts and seeds, coconut shreds, raisins, chocolate chips and you have a beautiful dessert or snack. How about a yogurt bar? Get several types and flavours of yogurt and lots of toppings to choose from. Everyone can make their own parfait just the way they like it, you will be a super hero.
Mango Sticky Rice
One of my all time favourite desserts is Thai influenced Mango Sticky Rice. If you ever go to south east Asia, this is a must have vegan dessert made with coconut milk (you cook the rice in coconut milk) and topped with a sauce and fresh mango slices. I make my sauce ahead of time, you could even make up the sticky rice (a special type of rice found at most grocery stores or Asian food markets). If you have the sauce ready and the rice precooked, you can serve this dessert hot or cold. I love it warmed up! Delicious.
For a simple delicious recipe for Mango Sticky Rice go here http://www.veganonthego.net/mango-sticky-rice/
Fresh Baked Pie
Now you can bake a pie, or you can buy one fresh baked to take with you. What a yummy way to end a meal, a delicious piece of fresh pie. You can top with that yogurt or if you are lucky and have a trailer or cabin with a freezer, you can buy some yummy coconut milk ice-cream to top your pie. How decadent is that!
Link to Chocolate Pie http://www.veganonthego.net/chocolate-pie-silken-tofu/
Link to Raw Carrot Cake with Creamy Cashew Icing http://www.veganonthego.net/raw-vegan-carrot-cake/
Ok, get a bit of a plan together, what do you already have in the fridge, in the freezer and in the cupboards that could be the basis of your plan. Start from there, make a basic menu and then buy, prep what you can, pack and go. Have a blast everyone! Summer fun.
You must be logged in to post a comment.