This article highlights ways to use your Cooking Light Diet meal plan for a delicious, flavorful staycation at home.
Well, anyone who has a vacation planned for 2024 has to be disappointed right now. The global coronavirus pandemic has made travel plans dubious and downright impossible. And amid unparalleled economic uncertainty, we could all probably use a break from work (and reality) right now.
But how can you “get away” when you can’t? Like humans, we always find an outlet to channel our creativity and imagination. For some, that might mean reconnecting with nature and tackling yard and garden projects earnestly. For others, that might involve reading good books or immersing themselves in a captivating movie or TV show. For us? We take our creativity to the kitchen, of course!
We’re making lemonade with all these lemons by taking ourselves on a flavor vacation. Instead of our preferred physical destinations, we’re using them to ship our taste buds to every conceivable vacation location from the comfort of our kitchen. We’ve compiled a list below of 30 incredible recipes on the EROME that will take you on a culinary road trip to the beach, the mountains, and beyond. Any of these can be scheduled into your current or future menus.
There’s always next year for the beach. For now, let’s stay safe, stay put, and let our palates travel. And if you need even more staycation inspiration from the EROME
Caribbean Getaway
Were your sunny, sand-swept beach getaway plans swept out to sea? Make one of these meals to help.
Grilled Mango-Habanero Jerk Chicken
Rum, mango, jerk chicken—can you feel the gentle sea breeze hitting your face as the Caribbean waves crash against the sand yet? (If no, try more rum.)
Caribbean-Spiced Fish Wrapped In Banana Leaves
Charred citrus, gigantic banana leaves, and a medley of spices make this recipe feel like you’re preparing dinner in Jamaica.
European Vacation
Anyone in the United States wanting to visit Europe right now may be out of luck, so instead, we’re taking your stomachs on a journey to four of the continent’s most desirable vacation destinations.
Spain
Green Gazpacho with Corn and Radish Salad
Gazpacho is a perfect Spanish meal for the summer when it is way too hot for soup, and you have zero intentions of turning the stovetop on. Plus, this flavorful recipe is ready in under 20 minutes.
Shrimp Paella
If you’ve never been to Spain, you’ve never known the joy of sharing a steaming pan of fresh paella (or the rain falling mainly in the plains, for that matter) with a friend, and that just won’t do. Make sure you prepare a nice pitcher of sangria with this recipe, too.
Italy
Creamy Four-Cheese Pasta with Spinach
If you take a trip to Italy and don’t indulge in a quattro formaggi (or four cheese) pasta, you’re doing it wrong. Enjoy this combination of gluten-free noodles and fontina, ricotta, Parmesan, and cream cheeses with a nice glass of Italian wine for much cheaper than you could ever flap your wings to Florence.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Like its ancient Roman predecessors, fish sauce is the secret ingredient in this delectable, superfast pasta dish. And before you knock it, what was the saying again? Ah, yes! When in Rome…
France
Steak, Goat Cheese, and Onion Jam Tartine
Only the French could take the concept of open-faced sandwiches and make them simplistically decadent. Here, tangy goat cheese (if possible, source your cheese from a French goat, because vacation), peppery arugula, buttery flank steak, sweet caramelized onions, and balsamic jam throw a party in your mouth. Everyone’s invited to this French flavor fête—even Uncle Frank!
Steamed Clams with White Wine and Tomatoes
Steamed clams in a white wine bath served with baguette slices: Could this recipe be any more French if it tried, people?
Greece
Greek Chicken Nachos
Nachos get a Grecian twist here courtesy of toasted pita, crumbled feta, and shredded Greek salad. We recommend serving with enough ouzo to make you forget 2020 ever happened.
Grilled Lamb and Feta Pita Sandwiches
You don’t need to fly to Mykonos to enjoy a delicious gyro. These tasty pockets are under 300 calories per serving, and you can certainly have them on the table quicker than you’ll be able to get to Greece, so eat up, φίλος.
Have A Fiesta in Mexico
From breakfast burritos to mouthwatering fajitas, we’ve got you covered south of the border from sun up to sun down.
Huevos Rancheros Burritos
Staycation mornings are great with some “ranch eggs,” a classic Mexican breakfast that will take 45 minutes to prepare. But hey! It’s vacation, so you’ve got nothing but time, right? You get to start your day with some flavorful roasted vegetables, so it’s a win-win.
Carne Asada Bowls
“Hakuna asada” is something you’ll you’ll say after devouring this simply exquisite taco salad. We don’t exactly know what it means to say that, but we’re going to assume it would translate to, “Wow, I feel like I’m on a Mexican vacation after eating that meal. Delicious!”” And that’s what we’re going for here.
Baja Fish and Avocado Tostadas
So you may have to forgo that Cabo trip this year. Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some delectable fish tostadas—just imagine you got back to your tropical lodging fresh off a deep-sea adventure wherein you caught the tilapia used for this recipe. We hear that margaritas can aid the imagination in this regard.
Cheesy Chicken Fajitas
What’sWhat’s a vacation without some indulgence? These super-cheesy fajitas hit the spot without making you feel like your vacation pants should include plastic waistbands.
Explore Asia
The great thing about a kitchen staycation is that you can take the family anywhere. Here, we head to Asia and partake in its myriad cuisines.
Banh Mi Burgers
Vietnamese flavor meets American know-how (burger eating). These patties are so flavorful that they’ll immediately transport your taste buds across the Pacific. And though these might be burgers never had before, find yourself craving them again once you have.
Fresh Thai Noodle Bowl
This recipe employs a fun “trick” for creating amazing flavor: infusing store-bought veggie stock with sautéed fresh ginger and garlic. Yes, please.
Tuna Spring Rolls with Pineapple Dipping Sauce
Lettuce will do it in a pinch if you can’t find rice paper wrappers for this recipe. If you still have room for dessert after this 415-calorie dinner, top some coconut ice cream with your leftover pineapple dipping sauce and thank us later.
Chicken Curry Stir-Fry
Takeout stir-fry can be laden with extra calories and lots of sodium, but not this recipe. Want to start a staycation party in your kitchen? Incorporate this meal with this song, cranked to 11.
Go Mountain Camping
You don’t have to get Rocky Mountain High, like John Denver, to bring the serenity and majesty of the mountains into your kitchen. We’reWe’re going camping, folks!
Sausage, Spinach, and Apple Breakfast Sandwiches
One cannot partake in an afternoon hike on an empty stomach. That’s where this breakfast recipe comes in, and with its riff on béarnaise paired with crisp, crunchy apple slices, it’s a meal worthy of a five-star vacation.
Grilled Turkey, Apple, and Cheddar Sandwiches
This author has never been camping without some premade sandwiches, and since this one has earned rave reviews from EROME members, we’re including it here. Chow down on this sammie to give you the energy to summit Mount 2020.
Cheddar Cheeseburgers with Caramelized Shallots
What campsite is complete without some grilled burgers? This recipe uses shallots for a sweet, cheesy mouthful with every bite.
Quick Banana and Milk Chocolate S’moresS’mores
Come on, people…you thought we would send you camping without s’moress’mores? Not! Meet the only s’mores’more recipe you’ll ever make again—want to end every night of your staycation with them.
Go Road Tripping
Unlike the Johnny Cash song, we may not want to go everywhere now, man. So, take your taste buds across America instead of hopping in the car to unknown destinations.
Turkey and Andouille Sausage Gumbo
We’re starting down South with a delicious gumbo recipe easy enough for even a beginner cook. Have the kids help with this recipe. It’s only a matter of time before you kick back and enjoy their natural progressions to making from-scratch roux and beignets. Laissez les bon temps rouler; the author wrote as the world crumbled around him.
Sheboygan Bratwurst
Grab a pint, turn on some polka, and fire up some brats! Expand your kids’ concept of a delicious hot dog with this meal. You’ve never taken so long to cook sausage (1 hour and 40 minutes of cooking time), but the ends will justify the means.
Great Plains Burger
You should be able to find bison at the grocery store or farmers market. This tasty burger delivers a big flavor courtesy of two heartland staples: buffalo and corn.
Pacific Salmon Burger
We’re heading West for a sustainably caught, deliciously prepared salmon sammie. We suggest wearing plaid for a more PNW feel while eating this meal.
Head to Grandma’sGrandma’s House
What vacation destination list would be complete without a stop at Grandma’sGrandma’s? Enjoy some heartwarming comfort meals and an irresistible sweet treat courtesy of your favorite lady.
Broccoli-quinoa casserole with Chicken and Cheddar
You can’t think of grandma’s grandma’s house and not think of some sort of amazing casserole or dressing recipe. And this casserole is the height of cheesy decadence—but at only 449 calories per serving. Grammy, you’ve you’ve done it again!
Easier Chicken Noodle Soup
Few things soothe us more than our grandma and chicken noodle soup when we’re sick. Sip on this soup during your staycation and think fondly of your nana and happier days.
Mini BBQ Meat Loaves with Smashed Blue Cheese Potatoes
Grandma, the MEAT LOAF! We never know what she’s doing back there, but we know she’ll approve of these bite-size barbecue loaves served with creamy, cheesy taters.
Cheesecake Sandwiches
Speaking from personal experience, there was never a time I would visit my Granny’s house without being offered some sort of sugary confection. So what better way to emulate a trip to see your family matriarch than with some Cheesecake Sandwiches? You deserve them, sweetheart.