There’s nothing like the great outdoors to give you an appetite but campervan cooking presents very different challenges from preparing a meal in the comfort of your fitted kitchen at home.
As well as restricted space, there are limited appliances and usually only two rings – and let’s face it, in this country it can’t always be barbecue weather.
The experts at Sterling Insurance have come up with the perfect recipe to help make camper food ideas as stress-free as it should be when you’re on your well-earned holiday.
Six tips for stress-free campervan cooking
1. Preparation is key
Draw up a checklist of the utensils and equipment you are likely to need – don’t forget a can opener and corkscrew – and keep a stock of staple store cupboard ingredients. Make sure you have items for quick convenience meals, such as soups and canned produce.
Check out Towsure’s guide of kitchen utensils for your campervan. But remember, don’t take more equipment than you need because storage space is always tight in a camper kitchen. Our blog can help you find eight innovative campervan storage ideas.
2. Be aware of food shelf life
Keep an eye on use by dates as the last thing you want is food going off and making the whole campervan smell. Help with cooking has a guide to help you make the most of food before its shelf life expires. Don’t miss our useful guide about campervan fridges as you look to keep your produce fresh.
3. Be imaginative
If you only have two cooking rings, think of one-pot recipes to serve with rice, potatoes or pasta. You may even want to consider paper plates and plastic cutlery to cut down on the washing up – they’re lighter too.
4. Make the most of fresh local produce
Pick your own farms and local farmers’ markets offer a good day out and also provide the tastiest, freshest produce, helping you make the best of local ingredients
If you are on a tight budget it’ll be good to know that local produce is often cheaper to buy – read our tips for planning a campervan holiday on a tight budget.
5. Buy low wattage equipment
Low wattage equipment, such as kettles and toasters, are specially designed to meet the power supply of the campervan and will save overloading the electrics. Go Outdoors has a range of specialist cooking equipment for campervans.
6. Don’t forget the barbecue
Supplement your two cooking rings with a barbecue. You could even consider a compact gas barbecue which will mean even a barbie breakfast of sausage and bacon can be on the menu!
Why not invest in a campervan recipe cookbook?
There are a number of fantastic cookery books on the market that make the most of the limited space in campervan kitchens while providing delicious, nutritious meal ideas.
Here are three great camper kitchen recipe books available from Amazon.
The Camper Van Cookbook: Life on 4 Wheels, Cooking on 2 Rings
This book is aimed at campervan cooks but can be easily translated for life in a caravan. It has meal ideas for every occasion and checklists for essential bits of kit.
2 Pan Cooking: For Caravans , Motor Homes, Boats and Other Small Spaces
This cookbook takes into consideration the space limitations and open plan living in caravans. It provides recipes that are easy to make and require little space or little equipment.
3. Caravan Cooking
Monica Rivron’s book has a retro feel to it. A caravanning cookbook written for the family, by a family, who love food and love caravanning. The recipes are designed to produce delicious meals without having to spend hours slaving away in a hot, confined kitchen.
Tasty deals on your campervan insurance
Whatever you’re planning to cook-up in your camper kitchen, Sterling insurance can rustle up a great insurance deal for your campervan or motorhome.
Call 0344 381 9990 for a quote today or request a call-back at a time that suits you.
