“Cook while I’m on vacation??? I go on vacation so I don’t have to cook!”
That’s often the response we get when we bring up the subject of timeshare cooking. It seems that many people regard cooking as an everyday chore, and they want no part of it when they’re away from home. Personally, I enjoy cooking, and don’t mind doing it occasionally, especially if we’re on an extended trip. I never thought I’d say it, but we do sometimes actually get tired of eating out!
Larger families can benefit greatly from doing their own cooking while on vacation. When my niece and her partner purchased a timeshare, there wasn’t much question but that they’d feed their 6 foster kids right there in the timeshare kitchen! Even if you only fix breakfasts and lunches, you can save quite a bit.
The biggest problem that I have with using a timeshare kitchen is that I never know where things are and it takes time to find them! But once I conquer this minor inconvenience, I’m good to go! Here are some simple and easy recipes that taste great!
This recipe is nice enough for company. I’ve had other variations of it that were good, but this one is special. Some good friends prepared it for us, and it’s delicious!
Chicken Bake
8 chicken breasts or mixed chicken parts
1 stick of butter
8 slices Swiss cheese
1 can mushroom soup
1 soup can white wine or apple juice
2 pkg. Chicken Stove Top Stuffing Mix
Lay chicken in bottom of 9 x 13 pan. Place slice of cheese on each piece of chicken. Spread Stove Top Stuffing over chicken. Mix mushroom soup and wine (or apple juice) together and pour over all. Melt butter and drizzle over the whole thing. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. Serves 8.
On a little bit smaller scale, this next recipe can be thrown together at the last minute.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
12-16 oz. frozen prepared meatballs
1 16 oz. pkg. stir-fry veggies (carrots, peppers, broccoli, water chestnuts, etc.)
¼ c. apricot jam or orange marmalade
¼ c. Catalina salad dressing
2 T. soy sauce
Combine all in large skillet. Cook on Med. High for 10 minutes or until all is heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.
Then there’s dessert. This one can serve a big group, or keep in the freezer to eat throughout your trip!
No One Would Know This Isn’t an Expensive Ice Cream Cake Dessert
19 ice cream sandwiches
1 12 oz. container Cool Whip
8 oz. hot fudge ice cream topping
8 oz. butterscotch or caramel ice cream topping
1 c. salted peanuts (Optional)
Line a 9 x 13 ungreased pan with 9 ice cream sandwiches, cutting the 10th one in half to fit. Spread with half the Cool Whip. Spoon toppings over this, then peanuts, if desired. Repeat layers with ice cream sandwiches, Cool Whip and peanuts. Cover and freeze. Remove from freezer 20 minutes before serving and cut into squares. Will keep up to 2 months.
If you plan ahead and keep your timeshare cooking simple, you can save money and enjoy even MORE timeshare vacations!