It’s no surprise that most truckers choose to either eat out or have something quick such as sandwiches while on the road; however, Lionell Logan (known as ThaCookinTrucker on Instagram) is showing fellow truckers that cooking a good, fresh meal inside of an 18 wheeler can be quick and easy.

Lionell has been driving a truck for 4 years now, and made the decision to cook in his truck after being disappointed with dining options that were either unhealthy or simply not fresh. Cooking is a passion that he shares with his mother and father who he credits with teaching him to cook. Although cooking in a truck might sound a little intimidating at first, with some prep, it can be easily accomplished. Lionell keeps the following items in his truck for meal prep:

• Crockpot
• Electric Skillet
• Dual Hot Plate
• Rice Cooker
• 2 George Foreman Grills (1 small, 1 large)
• 2 Pots (1 medium, 1 large)
• Medium Sized Container w/Lid - used to store seasonings
• Smaller Sized Container w/Lid - used to store utensils
• 1 Dorm Refrigerator w/Freezer

While planning your meals, remember if you make larger portions, you can have leftovers throughout the week. When asked what advice he would offer others who would like to cook in their truck, Lionell said, “Invest in the items that I have even if it’s not all of them, maybe just a crockpot & electric skillet. Also, a refrigerator. Every truck driver has the time to stop at Walmart and take 30 minutes out his/her day to shop for groceries. Every Walmart has truck parking. Preparing your own meals is a healthier lifestyle, especially since we spend the majority of your day sitting down. A healthy trucker and a healthy life makes everyone else safer on the road.”

The following recipes and images are used with permission from Lionell, ThaCookinTrucker.

Swedish Meatballs

Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 Pound Ground Beef 80/20
1 16 oz Roll of Owens Breakfast Sausage Hot
2 Eggs 1/2 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1 tbsp. Black pepper
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning
1 tbsp. Parsley flakes
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 tsp Basil Leaves
1 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp thyme leaves
1 tsp onion Powder
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp allspice

Combine all ingredients together and roll into balls of your liking and brown in a electric skillet.

Roux:
Flour & Oil equal parts
1 Large Onion

Brown your roux until peanut butter color. Once peanut butter color add onion and stir until onions are clear. Once clear add 2 cups Beef Stock & heavy cream. Add Worcestershire Sauce and simmer for 15 mins cooking the flour taste out of your roux. Once roux has thickened, add meatballs and cook on low heat for 10 mins.. Add onto cook egg noodles and serve.

---

Grilled Steak & Shrimp

Ingredients:
Any Cut of Beef to your liking.
Shrimp peeled & deveined seasoned on skewers

Grill your favorite cut of steak on a George Foreman grill seasoned to taste with salt & pepper. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then grill your shrimp which should take roughly 5mins. And there you have it a simple and easy meal.

To see more of how Lionell is helping truckers prepare fresh delicious meals in their truck, visit his Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ThaCookinTrucker.

**Please note: This is an article that I wrote for the March 2018 issue of Truck Market News Magazine. To view the digital issue visit: https://goo.gl/U41ETB