Awhile back I wrote about stocking the RV pantry. Since that time I have stumbled upon some other products which work well for me in a motorhome with limited storage space. They are also great for those boondocking days when minimal cooking and avoiding dirty dishes/low water usage are a priority.

I have included links to Amazon (click on the image), and I’ll also tell you where you can buy them out in the real world. If you order from Amazon, note that in some of the links, the products are sold in multiples.

Now, for the caveats. Shelf-stable products like some listed below have more preservatives. Yes, it is easy to make rice with water in a pot, or to whip up a Hollandaise, but sometimes I don’t feel like it, so there. If you have allergies or food-affected medical conditions, read the labels.

BREAKFAST

Hailing from Seattle, I must admit I am part of the Starbuck’s Backlash Bandwagon. I don’t care much for their coffee; it’s overpriced and over-roasted. I don’t always agree with their positions on social issues, and I question if they could be doing more for the community. There are better, local mom-and-pop coffee houses, which I much prefer those because they give you a better feel for the area you’re visiting.

That being said, I enjoy these Via Instant Sweetened Cold Brew packets. You can’t get more compact or portable for the RVer. All you need is cold water and a little milk if you prefer. One packet makes 16 ounces, which equals two drinks for me. Some grocery stores stock the packets in the coffee aisle, but if all else fails and the supermarket has a Starbuck’s on site, you can find them there.

Since 2011, beloved Miami-based, Cuban coffeemaker, Café Bustelo, has been owned by Smucker’s, and the product line has expanded. With some trepidation I tried the instant Café con Leche, and I like it! Authentic, no, but tasty and hot right when you want it, no coffee maker required. It was easier to find in the supermarkets in Florida for sure, but check your coffee aisle at the grocery store.

In my last pantry article I espoused the virtues of many products from Trader Joe’s. Alas, some of those items are no longer available (shrimp toast, goat cheese medallions, hollandaise). Thanks a lot, TJ’s!

This Hollandaise requires no refrigeration, comes in single-serve packets, and is quite good. Believe me, I’ve tried many hollandaise sauces since TJ’s discontinued theirs, and this is the only one that I would recommend. I first purchased it at a Fred Meyer in Eugene, Oregon, but it is difficult to find. I plan on ordering more from Amazon.

BROTH

It’s always good to have some broth around, for added flavor and cooking. Seems like almost every recipe for my Instant Pot requires beef broth or chicken broth. And of course I love me some Bloody Bulls!

These jars of bouillon pack a lot of flavor and don’t expire for a long time. They can live in a little corner of the refrigerator, unlike cartons and cans of broth, and there’s no opening those annoying bouillon packets. You can find Better Than Bouillon in most grocery stores.

SAUCES IN PACKETS

Jars of sauce take up room in the RV pantry and are fragile. I am seeing more sauces sold in packets; they are unbreakable and lightweight, and the sauce can be heated in the packet itself.

I first saw these Riggo sauces at Wal-Mart. They come in Marinara, Turkey, or Beef, and I love their smaller-sized servings for one or two people – no more open jars of half-full spaghetti sauce in your refrigerator. And, unlike jarred sauces like Ragu, I didn’t feel the need to add additional ingredients or spices to make it palatable.

Tiger Tiger is also selling sauces in packets now. I especially like their Butter Chicken. I often buy it at Cost Plus World Market, although I have seen the packets in the “Asian Food” aisle in the supermarket. I add cooked chicken and cilantro.

MAKING A MEAL OF IT

While we’re talking about Indian food, I have been enjoying quick and easy meals by adding frozen Naan from Trader Joe’s, microwaved Basmati rice from Uncle Ben’s, and puppodums.

This Uncle Ben’s rice microwaves in its own packet and comes in regular, Jasmine, Basmati, and even Spanish, which I heat up I’m having street tacos.

Did somebody say puppodums? What, what? These guys crisp up in the microwave in 30 seconds each – no frying necessary. Look for them in the “Asian Food” aisle and at World Market.

If you have any tips for the RV pantry, cooking, or any other meal-related advice, please comment!