What I need the most often and how I make it last the longest...

[F15EWSO]

What I need the most often and how I make it last the longest...

I reviewed many provisioning posts here and gained lots of insight so thanks to those who have gone before. What I am looking for are the most COMMON food (or grocery) items that drive YOU back to shore to get more. These might not be common to the rest of us but they drive you to the beach early and often.

Some assumptions; ice, bread, and milk are all perishable so I got those on my list. Beer, wine, and alcohol are common sailor needs to I think I can handle those as well.

What I hope to get from each of you is that nugget of experience regarding how you get your eggs, lettuce, produce, cookie or whatever it is that you find yourself craving, needing, must have and yet you can’t seem to keep enough in supply. AND then when you get it you crafted an insanely brilliant scheme to store it, make it last, preserve it to shorten the need for your next fix on-shore. Clever methods or locations for storage are highly encouraged here as well.

Finally this might not be a food item; it could be something that is used in provisioning (think grocery store) that you don’t eat.

Hope this is clear as mud and let’s see what knowledge base I can tap on this subject.

[jackdale]

Re: Milk

I use UHT milk found in some health food stores. It does not require refrigeration until opened. Some do not like the taste, but it is fine on cereal.

It is a touch expensive.

Eggs do not require refrigeration, especially if they are farm fresh. Just turn them over (in the carton) every day or two. Forget the vaseline trick, too messy.

There are other threads - give a search a try.

[TQA]

Bread in the French islands. A daily trip to the boulangerie is needed unless you can find a baker with pain de siecle or similar. However a fresh baquette takes some beating.

[MacGyverRI]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Re: Milk

I use UHT milk found in some health food stores. It does not require refrigeration until opened. Some do not like the taste, but it is fine on cereal.
.

I found UHT qts. in the "Dollar stores" for (you guessed it) $1 and with regular milk here going for $3.29+ a gal., it's really not that bad in price.

The "whole milk" isn't bad tasting, especially when chilled first.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by MacGyverRI

I found UHT qts. in the "Dollar stores" for (you guessed it) $1 and with regular milk here going for $3.29+ a gal., it's really not that bad in price.

That is a great price. I paid about $4.00 in Maui.

[Minnewaska]

This is a good book that addresses your questions. We have it aboard. It is, arguably, a cookbook. However, it has as many cruising stories along with provisioning, storage, etc tips as it has recipes. It's actually a good read, I recommend it.

Amazon.com: Cruising Chef Cookbook, 2nd ed. (9780939837465): Michael Greenwald: Books

[wingNwing]

Looks like a nice book, will have to see if its available in Barnes & Noble format (we have a Nook and not a Kindle). I'm slightly leary of his advice not to stock up on pasta, rice, canned tuna, etc. Generally, that's sound advice, but - when we were in the Bahamas last year, the fronts came thru every 3 days. We were lucky enough to be on Eleuthera when we got trapped by that weather, so we were able to get lots of foods. Some friends were on a mooring in the park (read: undeveloped land, no services at all) for the better part of a month and they said for the first time in 8 years of cruising, they DID use up all their canned/dry foods. So, think about where you're going and what your style is, and plan accordingly.

We bought a 5-lb block of cheese at Costco; cut it into 8-oz blocks and vacuum-sealed them; lasted over a year in the bottom of our fridge. Places outside the US, you can buy butter in a 1-lb can (needs no refrigeration till opened), or Indian ghee (butter without the milkfat, again, needs no refrigeration). We use UHT milk for some things, powdered for others, and bake our own bread when we can't get fresh.

The thing most likely to drive us ashore to go shopping is a lust for fresh green things. Sometimes you just have to do without - I once saw broccoli for $8/lb!

[RealityCheck]

Easy way to fix the Green need is to sprout seeds. I really like the Mung Bean and only takes a few days to start and once you get your amounts right you can harvest enough for two for several days on half hand full of beans. Taste crunchy and a bit nutty and has vitamin C in them which is odd for a bean.

Health Benefits Of Mung Beans

Lots of other choices and they are typically cheap in bulk when you can find them. I have several small bags brought down by Friends when they are visiting the States. Sealed they last seems for ever.

[tomperanteau]

Originally Posted by RealityCheck

Easy way to fix the Green need is to sprout seeds.

Yep. I've been looking into sprouts and seeds on the boat. There are some great super foods out there that you can grow too. One could sustain himself for a very long time without the need to set foot on shore.

[vtsailguy]

Okay, so this suggestion is a little off base - but give it some consideration and you might surprise yourself.

Backpacking cooking!

I also happen to be an avid backpacker as well as sailer. Obviously space and weight are at a premium when you have to carry your food.

Trail dining has had a massive makeover the last few years. Ramen noodles used to be the staple, but now, open a backpacking magazine and you'll find delicious recipes that are ultra lightweight and rely significantly on re-hydration.

Check them out - you'll be surprised.