While camping and caravanning are becoming more popular, a good thing I say, there are a few people who cannot see the appeal and one of the obstacles is “how can I cook for my family without a fully equipped kitchen?” Granted, camping brings forth the image of hikers croweded around a mini gas stove and a meal comprising a tin of Heinz baked beans or tinned stew or soup – not particularly enticing. This doesn’t have to be the picture when you have a touring caravan kitchen. The only things that could hold you back are your imagination and some basic safety procedures.
In general caravans kitchens have at least two burners, a grill and an oven and many models incorporate a microwave as well. So you can quite easily prepare the exact menus that you cook at home. Its a great treat on a beautiful morning to open your door onto the countryside outdoors and take in the ingredients of a traditional English breakfast whilst viewing nature’s glories. However, there could be a few ideas for meals that you would be well advised to leave alone:
• Fish and chips – the smell of fish can settle in your soft furnishings and in the main it is not the best notion to undertake deep frying. And why not take advantage of the great chippies throughout the Great Britain.
• Any dish that calls for flambéing is a no-no, bear in mind that your caravan insurance policy could exclude payment on any damage or accidents that follow from this.
• Full English roast with all the usual accompaniments. Dreadful to consider the amount of washing up this would entail and what could be better than a Sunday lunch at a quaint country pub while on your holiday.
Barbecues are justifiably widely held and compact kits is easy to acquire, but should the unreliable British climate prove to be a wet squib you need to think of quick and easy dishes to prepare, with minimal work and clearing up and the most flavour. Why not try these out:
• Chicken Provencal – chicken portions are steeped in wine, herbs, garlic. Drain and fry off the chicken and then cook with a mixture of vegetables onions, peppers and carrots and a can of tomatoes in a medium-high oven in a covered dish for approximately 30 minutes. Just as the dish is done, stir in some black olives and serve with boiled potatoes, couscous or crusty bread with a green salad.
• Any curry dish using sauce from a jar or packet, grest with rice.
• One pot meals such as bolognese sauce, chilli con carne or Beef Bourguignon.
• Small roasts, such as baked ham (if there is no convenient food market rotisserie) or beef.
• A three course meal, a cold starter, then prime steak, salad and oven roasted potatoes for the main course and for dessert, chocolate pots – or of course anything your heart desires.
However you wine, dine and snack in your caravan, remember to cut your costs by obtaining your caravan insurance through a trustworthy motorhome insurance comparison site and all that additional cash can contribute towards gastronomic fare and Cordon Bleu dishes!