S.B.'s Beans n' Beans n' Franks

One pot, one meal. This bit of blog brings back the basics to ECC, showing an example of true 'car cooking.' There's no doubt that while he was with us, S.B. could certainly turn a head or two in the culinary world.

Ingredients:
2 Hot Dogs (this is something New York actually does have to offer)
1 can French-Style Green Beans
Half can Chili Beans (the other half went to the prior night's meal, un-photographed)

Peel labels and glue off bean cans, plop them in a pot with an inch of water, and bring to a boil. Throw franks in the pot aside the cans. When it comes time to fork a dog, the beans and beans should be at the ideal temp.

ECC's Head Chef isn't typically known for his multitasking, but this one-shot method gets the job done simply and deliciously. The grand total for this frankly filling fodder, including buns, comes to $6.16, and it will get you through at least two more meal sessions. That puts the five dollar foot-long to shame.

Rootin' Tootin' Whiskey-House Chili

After spending a few luxurious days receiving royal treatment on the fourth floor of a Chicago "Ice House Loft" (a Chicondo, if you will), ECC's Executive Chef took a break from out-of-the-car cooking and took full advantage of having access to all the amenities of a full kitchen. Every device and appliance that people take for granted on a daily basis were working overtime for the creation of this Momma-inspired, cowboy-craving, spicy, Southwestern stew: refrigerator, freezer, oven (or stove, whichever you prefer), microwave, coffee maker, garbage can, Lazy Susan spice rack, paper towel holder, dishcloths, sink, running water, soap dispenser - the list could go on for days.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. Ground Beef
1 diced Onion
1 diced Green Pepper
6 finely diced Jalapeno Peppers
8 cloves Garlic - 4 chopped, 4 whole
1 can Diced Tomatoes (big can, not standard size)
1 can Crushed Tomatoes (see parentheses above)
1 can Tomato Paste (tiny can, you'll know it when you see it)
Salt
Pep
Chili Powder
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
Italian Seasoning
1 dash Whiskey (It can't be 'Whiskey-House' without the whisk!)
1 can Kidney Beans

Brown meat with salt, pep, and Italian seasoning. Sauté onion, green pepper, jalapenos, olive oil, salt, and chopped garlic over medium-high heat until you think they're cooked and smell really good. Add meat to veggie mix. Aside from the kidney beans, stir in all other ingredients, making sure to take a pull off the whiskey after adding a dash of sauce to the sauce. The full cloves of garlic are for the lucky few who sink their teeth into them - an added magical treat. Bring chili-to-be to a boil and reduce to a simmer for as long as your patience allows. "Low, slow, and til an inch of hair grows," blurted ECC's Head Chef, "It's a flawless method." Pep up the taste with chili powder and other spices - flavor saves 'er! Add kid beans about an hour before your patience is up.

Throw in a bit of shredded cheddar, do a dollop of Daisy, and pair it with Theresa's Tasty Gluten-Free Cornbread for a damn-fine dish that will tint your teeth and curl your toes. It really is Rootin', Tootin'.

Italian Pepperoni Pup

The “Italian” in the name of this simple-as-pie semi-sub refers more to a New York style of Italian than to Italy Italian. That may even be a bit of a stretch. Just like Buffalo, New York, this puppy’s fast and there’s not much to it. Fuhgeddaboudit!

Ingredients:
¼ lb. Hard Salami ($1.00)
¼ lb. Sandwich Pepperoni ($1.00)
¼ lb. Deli Ham ($1.00)
8 oz. block Heluva Good Cheese ($2.00)
1 package Hot Dog Buns ($0.99)

Build and dress this baby however you please; you’ve made sandwiches before. By now you should have a sufficient stock of various condiments stacking up in your larder to choose from.

ECC logs a grand total of $5.99 for three to six Pepperoni Pups (depending on how much meat you like), with bread and chee to spare.

PB & B on B

Go back to basics with the traditional favorite peanut butter and banana sandwich that’ll have you reminiscing about your elementary school years. You’ll feel like you pulled the sticky sando right out of your stylish He-Man and the Masters of the Universe lunchbox when you start trying to dislodge it from the roof of your mouth.

Ingredients:
Bread ($0.89)
Peanut Butter ($1.48)
Banana ($0.23)

Ringing in a grand total of $2.60 for multiple protein and potassium-packed meals, this classic concoction claims its spot as current king of ECC’s lowest cost-per-meal menu items to date.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Toaster Pastries – Minus the Toaster

Great with coffee, these rectangular bars of sugary goodness are ideal for those mornings when you just don’t have time to fire up the camp stove and prep a hot breakfast. When your stomach is growling, but you just got a wake-up call from the local P.D. telling you “This is not a campground; you can’t stay here,” pop open a package of a pair of pepping pastries to put your day on the right path.

Economy Car Cafe's grand total for this piece-of-cake menu item is $1.25 (Wal-Mart Supercenter) for eight pastries. That'll easily cover breakfast for four days!

Swimmingly Succulent Seafood Salad Sub

Just because you're on a car camper's budget doesn't mean you can't eat well without rummaging through a dumpster for some gourmet vittles - though that by no means is frowned upon here. Transport yourself to a place where you can actually hear the waves crash and feel the sea breeze with the first of many menu items from Economy Car Cafe.

Ingredients:
1 package Imitation Crab
3 packets Mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. Dill Relish
1 loaf French Bread
Salt and Pepper to taste

Break krab down to desired texture. Mix in mayo, relish, salt, and pepper. Slice a good-sized end off the bread and hollow it out. Stuff with mounds of maritime mixture and munch merrily!

The grand total for the imitation crab ($1.25 at Tops Market), relish ($1.29 at Wegmans grocery store), and bread ($1.25 at Wal-Mart Supercenter) comes to $3.79 for at least two healthy servings, with bread and relish to spare for your next awesome, auto-based meal. Get your mayo, salt, and pepper free at any grocery store deli or fast food joint (load up on these; you can never have too many condiments).