There is still no need for truckers to have to settle for a less than perfect restaurant meal when they aren’t able to be at home and when they really want is freshly cooked turkey with all the trimmings. To that end, we have good news: it’s a lot easier to cook your own Thanksgiving dinner than you might imagine. You just need the right tools.
There are a lot of seasoned truckers out there who have mastered the art of big rig cooking. You can take what you learn in this blog post and combine it with information gleaned from other truckers to create an unforgettable meal this Thanksgiving.
Roast Your Turkey in a Crock Pot
One of the greatest inventions of the culinary world is the electric crock pot. This fantastic piece of cooking technology uses low-temperature heat to slow cook over long periods of time. It is the perfect tool to roast your Thanksgiving turkey.
Place your turkey in the pot along with enough water to cover about one-quarter of the bird. You can also use chicken broth if you prefer. Add some butter, salt, pepper and any other spices you like, and you’re done. Put it on low heat. In about five hours, you are going to have a succulent roasted turkey ready for eating.
Bake Your Stuffing in a Toaster Oven
Another invaluable tool for truck drivers who cook is the standard toaster oven. These little gadgets give you the power of a conventional oven in a much smaller package that plugs into any standard electrical outlet. You can use a toaster oven to bake your stuffing once you stop for the day.
You can use commercially prepared stuffing or make your own. Should you choose the latter, all you need is a loaf of white bread, some butter, the same spices you put on your turkey, and some of the broth from the bottom of your crock-pot. Just mix all ingredients together and bake at 350° for about 20 minutes.
Cook Your Vegetables on a Hot Plate
Lastly, you can cook your vegetables of choice using a standard hot plate. There are lots of different ways to do this. Cook directly in water or use a steamer if you prefer. The nice thing about a hot plate is that it also plugs into any standard electrical outlet. When you’re done, it stores away easily. By the way, you can cook your vegetables in under 10 minutes.
With these three simple tools, you can create the basis for a tasty Thanksgiving meal. Feel free to add other things to it. For example, make a quick stop at the grocery store the day before to pick up some dinner rolls, a can of cranberry sauce, and maybe a pumpkin pie for dessert. You’ll have enough food to feed yourself for several nights or, if you prefer, share with other truckers on Thanksgiving Day.
Being on the road doesn’t mean you should settle for less. This Thanksgiving, why not try your hand at cooking your own meal? It will make the day more special than sitting in a restaurant with strangers.
