As we head towards the peak time of year for caravanning, it’s clear that our love for the flexibility and adventure a caravan holiday brings is as strong as ever, with 47% of adults in the UK having had a caravan, motorhome or camping holiday in the last three years. We’re spoilt for choice here in the UK, with some of the best campsites. There’s always a lot to think about when you’re planning a caravan trip, including making sure you have all the essentials, and as food is a major part of any holiday, you might be wondering what you’re going to eat after a day in the great outdoors; but the last thing you want to do on holiday is whip up a three-course gourmet meal, especially considering the lack of space and equipment. With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and increased awareness of good nutrition, we don’t always want to be going out to eat or buying ready-made food. So how do we find a balance between eating well, and cheaply, but with limited space and equipment? As keen caravanners ourselves, we’ve put together some easy caravan meals in a cookbook that you can download for free, you’ll also find tips for cooking in a smaller space, and a list of essentials.
Let’s get started!
MEAL PLANNING FOR ROAD TRIPS
- Flexibility – this is key when on a trip away, partly because you don’t want to be tied down to a strict schedule; part of the joy of a holiday is the escape from routine and having the freedom to change/make plans based on how you’re feeling that day (and the weather!)
- Versatility – you also have to take into account that there’s not much space in a touring caravan, so having ingredients/equipment that can be used in various ways is really helpful, for example, think about one pot meals.
- Ingredients – take ingredients that can be used in different ways; things such as rice, pasta, spices, tinned beans and pulses. An added benefit here is that these store cupboard essentials have a longer shelf life too.
- Preparation – because of limited space, equipment and time, you don’t want to have to spend ages chopping and preparing ingredients. You could try measuring out, and storing, ingredients in small containers or resealable bags to avoid having to take big containers/packets with you. It’s saves you having to rummage through bags trying to find the right ingredients if you just have a small bag with some flour in, for example, or some chopped veg or pre-grated cheese.
- Organisation – with limited space it pays to be organised, and tidy, so clean up as you go.
- Local produce – you could use your trip as a chance to try something new and buy local fresh, seasonal food from local farm shops, markets etc.
EQUIPMENT
Most caravans have a small hob, maybe even a small oven or grill/microwave, but whatever you have will be a lot smaller than you’re used to. Multipurpose pans etc are great for cooking in a small space, especially pans that have removeable handles as these can be stored really easily in a small space, or collapsible items that can be folded, such as colanders and measuring cups. You could also take a foldable stove/barbecue for warm days; you’ll have more space outdoors and your caravan won’t smell of food.
SAFETY
Make sure your caravan has a fire extinguisher, or fire blanket and that your smoke/carbon monoxide alarms are working. Remember to open windows/doors to ensure good ventilation and keep any clutter away from naked flames.
BREAKFAST IDEAS
BREAKFAST HASH
Ingredients:
- Diced potatoes (leftover cooked potatoes are great for this)
- 1 small onion
- 2 – 3 eggs
- 1 green pepper
- Handful of mushrooms
- Chopped sausage
- Chopped bacon
- Grated cheese
- Cooking oil
Method:
Heat the oil in the pan and cook the potatoes until tender and starting to brown, then add the onion, mushrooms, peppers and meat. Once it’s all cooked, make a gap in the mixture to crack the eggs into, cook until done then sprinkle grated cheese over.
FRENCH TOAST
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of bread
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup of milk
- Butter
- Optional – 1tsp vanilla extract or ½ tsp cinnamon
- Toppings – sugar, honey, maple syrup, jam, chocolate spread
Method:
Mix the eggs and milk together in a bowl, add the vanilla/cinnamon if using, then dip the bread in the mixture so it’s fully coated. Then heat the butter in a frying pan, add the bread and fry until golden brown.
QUICK LUNCHES
GRILLED HALLOUMI FLATBREADS
Ingredients:
- Halloumi
- Hummus
- Coleslaw
- Pack of salad leaves
- Grated carrot
- Flatbread
Method:
Grill the flatbreads and halloumi then fill the flatbread with the ingredients.
TORTILLA PIZZA
Ingredients:
- Large tortilla wraps
- Tomato purée/passata
- Mozzarella
- Grated cheese
- Chopped veg – peppers, mushrooms
- Pepperoni, chorizo, ham, chopped chicken, tuna
- Olive oil
Method:
Prepare your tortillas by lightly toasting them in a pan, then spread the tomato purée/passata on it, add your toppings with the cheese then drizzle a bit of olive oil on top and pop it under the grill.
EASY DINNERS
LENTIL AND SWEET POTATO STEW
Ingredients:
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 4 sweet potatoes, chopped
- Lentils
- Coriander to garnish
- 1 tsp cumin
- Vegetable stock
- Olive oil
Method:
Cook onion in the oil until soft, then add the chopped garlic. Add the sweet potato and cook until soft, then add the lentils and cumin and pour on the stock. Simmer until everything is cooked then serve with rice, potatoes or flatbreads with chopped coriander to garnish.
SMOKED SALMON LINGUINE
Ingredients:
- Smoked salmon cut into strips
- 6 spring onions
- 1 pepper, cut into strips
- Chopped parsley
- Olive oil
- 1 tbsp cream cheese
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
Method:
Cook the linguine, drain it and keep a small cup of the water. Heat the oil, add the onions and peppers and stir, then add the salmon and cream cheese and parsley. Add the linguine and some of the pasta water to loosen it up if needed. Top with a pinch of cayenne pepper to taste and the rest of the parsley.
Cooking in a caravan can be a unique experience which might feel a bit daunting, but with a bit of planning and the right equipment you’ll soon get into it – you may even prefer it. A holiday is about relaxation, so you don’t want to be tackling complicated recipes that need a lot of prep and lots of different ingredients, but you still want good, wholesome food that’s a bit of a change from the usual hotdogs, baked potatoes and chilli. It’s about finding a balance between simplicity and nutrition, and the indulgence you want to feel on a holiday.
Another way to take away some of the stress of planning a holiday, is to look at caravan insurance for both touring caravans and static caravans. Having the right insurance in place could save the day, and with a range of policies that you can tailor to suit your needs and your budget, you know you’re covered when you hit those unexpected twists in the road. There are plenty of reasons to insure your caravan, so take a look at the website, or give us a call for a free, no-strings quote.
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