These improvised recipe ideas helped me survive my 5 weeks Europe backpacking trip, when i came face to face with the paucity of vegetarian options , the time that would be wasted in searching for an Indian restaurant everywhere and the budget factors in an expensive place like western Europe for trip longer than a month.
I had to scour supermarkets and improvise on a lot of quick fixes to satiate my hunger, while remaining energised enough to keep exploring the fascinating cities in Europe day after day for 5 weeks , including walking for major parts of the days and maintain my vegetarian lifestyle along with it.
I would say I was able to manage quite OK, considering that I didnt stress out over trying to locate an Indian restaurant, for even once , and didnt fall ill as well, during the entire 5 weeks.
My hunger survival kit for the trip included :
1. Fresh fruits and juices bought at supermarkets and carried in my day packs to remain energised.
2. Sandwiches arranged using quick fix supplies, that is breads and vegetables, from supermarkets or nearby grocery stores.
3.Subway Garden Sandwiches ,the permanent fall back for vegetarian travellers on a budget, anywhere in the world. It was my go to place for vegetarian food in Thailand, and again in Paris, Cologne etc etc... all my Eurotrip.
4.At least one yummy meal at a place of my choice as trying local food is also a part of travel experience.
I am delighted in describing these 3 quick fix recipes which were equally yummy ,easy and quick and helped me sustain happily.
1. Couscous salad
This is the first quick dish I discovered during my my first stop in Europe , Paris.Found all over Europe in supermarkets, this is one super easy and quick meal to prepare, ready within 10 minutes, To us Indians, it looks like another version of sooji(semolina).
How I prepared it while travelling
Ingredients bought at supermarkets/nearby grocery stores
1. Couscous ( comes in a packet just like sooji)
2.Diced raw tomatoes, onions,capsicum
4. lemon juice to be sqeezed on top
1.Put 1 cup of couscous in approx 2 cups of boiling water in a pan, add salt while it boils. It will be done in 5-7 minutes.
2.Add diced tomatoes,onions,capsicum and squeeze lime on top.
Excellent yummy hot meal ,super quick and easy enough to be prepared in hostel kitchens, which makes you feel satiated and energised.
If you have more time available, you can stir fry the veggies before adding to make it like a proper hot meal instead of couscous salad.
2. Sandwiches
This is a no brainer , and great for packing in lunch box for the day outs, as sometimes you may not expect to find any single vegetarian stuff at the particular place you are visiting, and even otherwise, its great to carry some stuff along.
How I prepared it while travelling
Ingredients bought at supermarkets/nearby grocery stores
1. Bread . Its very fun and interesting to browse different kinds of bread available at different places you are visiting
2.Sliced raw tomatoes, onions,capsicum, and anything else you want like carrots etc.
( But in my experience, its better to go with standard 2-3 veggies to keep it simplified while travelling.)
4. Sandwich Spreads/Tomato Ketchups/Butter.
(I used to enjoy buying small bottles of different kinds of spreads available at different places, but bought only, once the previous one finished, to keep the storage simplified while travelling.)
The standard way everyone does.
3. Boiled Chickpea Salad/ Open Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This is my star travel recipe ;) . This super quick , yummy , colourful and tasty dish got me many curious glaces and requests for tasting , by my hostel mates and lot of compliments on how yummy it tasted and looked.
How I prepared it while travelling
Ingredients bought at supermarkets/nearby grocery stores
1. Ready to use ,Boiled Chickpea ( comes in a bottle)
2.Diced raw tomatoes, onions,capsicum
4. lemon juice to be sqeezed on top
1. Bread ( you can toast it if facility available)
2. Tomato Ketchup/Sandwich Spread/Butter
1.Pour out the contents of the bottle in a dish, drain out the salted water and wash the boiled chick peas thoroughly.
2.Add diced tomatoes,onions,capsicum , add salt and squeeze lime on top.
1. Spread the ketchup/spread/butter on the bread (plain or toasted as possible).
2. Spread the salad on top.
Super yummy and colorful ,and will make you feel like you have made a nice fancy meal for yourself.
Boiled chick peas can be added to Coucous as well.
Hope it helps a backpacker or a traveller out there... please share with me if it worked for you :)
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