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The Doghouse: A Hearty Thermos Chicken Soup
Inspired by a Tripp Angler 22' & a Long Day of Fishing

There’s a certain kind of morning on the water where the horizon still looks half-asleep and the coffee hasn’t quite caught up to the chill in the air. You’re up on deck, lines in the water, waiting for the first tug on the rods. That’s when a hot, hearty meal, without a stove in sight, feels like magic.

This one is inspired by our friend Jack, captain of FV Doghouse. Jack’s thermos trick is legendary: a couple of hot dogs, boiling water, and by lunchtime, he’s got a few warm dogs ready to go. We love the spirit of that idea, simple, clever, and made for boat life, but we couldn’t resist “taking the elevator” to something a little more… Galley Club.

Our version? A hearty chicken soup that packs into your thermos before you shove off, and rewards you with a steaming, filling, (actually delicious) lunch hours later. No pots and pans. No dishes. Just boiling water before you head out, a few pantry staples, and time doing its thing.

Captain Jack’s Original:

Before we start patting ourselves on the back for this “gourmet” thermos soup, let’s give credit where it’s due. Jack’s original  approach is pure fishing-day genius:

1. Drop a few hot dogs into a thermos
2. Fill with boiling water
3. Seal it up and forget about it

By the time lunch rolls around, you’ve got warm hot dogs, zero fuss, zero cleanup, maximum utility.

We just couldn’t resist putting our own twist on it, swapping ballpark dogs for chicken, veggies, and pasta, but the spirit of Jack’s idea lives on.

Why Thermos Meals Are Perfect for a Long Days On The Water:

• Hands-free lunch: Once it’s sealed in the thermos, you can forget about it until you’re ready to eat. No juggling burners or heating things up on a rocking deck.
• Stealthy and simple: Everything stays contained, no strong cooking smells to spook the fish.
• Stays hot for hours: A pre-warmed thermos can keep soup piping hot well past midday, even on cold mornings.
• One-hand friendly: You can ladle it right from the thermos into a cup while the other hand stays on the rod.

Thermos Tips from the Galley

• Pre-warm your thermos with boiling water for 5–10 minutes before you add the ingredients. This extra heat boost means your soup will stay hot longer.
• Pack the pasta dry, it’ll cook perfectly in the hot broth while you are out and about, without going mushy.
• Layer smart: Pasta goes in first, chicken and veggies on top, then cheese and seasonings. This makes for easy stirring when you add the hot stock/water.
• Don’t overfill: Leave about 1 inch at the top so you can shake it without spills and open it without scalding yourself.

Next time you’re heading out early, channel a little Doghouse spirit. A warm meal in the middle of the day isn’t just fuel, it’s a morale boost, and sometimes, that’s the thing that keeps you out there until the big one bites. 

Cheers,
Max & Theresa