You're on a road trip, passing lush green hills and wide stretches of open land. The only thing you can hear are the chirping birds -- and the growling of a very empty stomach. You've been on the road for four hours and it's well past lunch time. 

Do you:

a.) Turn back to the questionable joint on an abandoned stretch of road you passed ten minutes ago.

b.) Wait until the next nearest town which is at least an hour away. 

c.) Stuff yourself with the packets of barbecue potato chips. 

Trick question. Eat the delicious meal you've intelligently prepared beforehand. Hah!  

I just got back from a week long road trip along the coast of California, and for the first time, stocked up with homemade foods. It was a game changer. No more bloated stomach from eating out every meal, more time to see the sights - often with a delicious snack in hand. 

Here three of my favourite foods to take on a road trip: 

Almond Meal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These bad boys pack a punch! They're healthier than your average cookie and actually quite filling. I often take a couple of these with me on hikes and bikes and they serve as great fuel, plus an enticing reward for after since they are mouth-wateringly delicious.

Quick story time: I once took these with me on the gruelling Upper Yosemite Falls hike - with an elevation of 968 m (3175 ft). I told myself that once I got halfway, I would reward myself with a couple of the delicious cookies. Finally reaching the halfway point, I sat on a rock exhausted, and started chowing the cookies down. I watched my husband throw a few pebbles down the cliffside to see how far it would tumble. Fun, I thought, and joined him, pebble in one hand, cookie in the other. I threw and listened to the soft tumble. Then I raised my hand to my mouth, only to realise that the pebble was in my hand, and that scrumptious cookie was on it's way to the bottom of the mountain. 

In that moment, I realised the true value of these cookies. 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups almond meal
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tbsp of peanut butter (for extra deliciousness)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 C (or 350 F) and line your baking tray.
2. Beat butter, sugar, vanilla extract and peanut butter in a large bowl. 
3. Beat in eggs.
4. Stir in almond flour, baking soda and salt.
5. Fold in chocolate chips. 
6. Drop tablespoons of the dough onto baking sheet.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly brown on top.

Homemade Granola

This is a super quick and easy treat to prepare. Plus, it makes your house smell all cosy and delicious. The best part of it is that there are no rules, so throw in whatever you love. 

On my trip, this served as a nutritious, tasty and filling breakfast. I stored it in an airtight container, paired it with a small tub of yogurt from the local grocery and had them on the beach, atop a seaside cliff and in the middle of a forest. Here's how I made mine - just from whatever was in my kitchen. 

Ingredients

2 cups oats
3/4 cup nuts
3/4 cup chopped dates
1/4 cup chocolate chips (depending on how naughty you're feeling)
3 tbsp honey
3 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 cup seeds (I had sunflower and hemp seeds)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Method

1. Preheat oven to 150 C (or 300 F)
2. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. 
3. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly toasted. 
    

Sri Lankan Curry Rotti

This one, I'm proud to announce, is a Sri Lankan street food classic. A recipe that evokes memories of sibling banter in the car and endless roads. I packed it in a cooler bag and it served as a satisfying lunch on the go.   

INGREDIENTS

1/2 onion
500 g ground beef
300 g potato, boiled
2 tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 green chilli, chopped
Salt to taste

Method - Rotti Filling

1. Heat nonstick pan with 1 tbsp oil.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft.
3. Stir in ground beef, salt, curry powder, cumin powder, chilli and cook. 
4. Add potatoes. Lightly mash into the mixture but allow small chunks to remain. 

Method - Paratha (flatbread)

Now, I'm not going to pretend that I made the paratha myself. I confess, I succumbed to store bought paratha for this recipe. It's still delicious and very easy to use. If you are eager to make it from scratch, here's a good recipe. Once you have rolled out your paratha - 

1. Place the filling in the centre.
2. Wrap the paratha around the filling in the shape you want. Triangles and rectangles are most common. Make the sure filling is sealed. 
3. Place on a hot pan and cook for a few minutes on each side until they are lightly brown. 

Make these goodies at home and bring them to wherever your travels may take you. Enjoy!

Click below to shop the ingredients and get cooking!