Anyone who goes on holiday in a camper probably loves nature and the freedom and flexibility that such a holiday is all about. A holiday in a mobile home is often also a good idea from a financial point of view - because the easiest way to take a low-budget break is in a camper van.
If you want to save money on vacation, eating out in a restaurant every night is out of the question. The motto is: cook for yourself. We have put together the most important tips on cooking in the camper and a list of great recipes for you.
The right equipment
If you want to prepare delicious meals yourself in your camper, the right equipment is a must. A (gas) hob is permanently installed in many mobile home kitchens or kitchens in campervans that you have converted yourself. Alternatively, you can use a mobile camping stove.
I personally have one Campingaz gas cooker with two separately adjustable burners. The cooker had good reviews and the size fitted perfectly into the drawers of my self-made kitchenette. Therefore, the decision was quickly made to go with the Campingaz product. When I cook, I take out the gas stove and put it on my countertop or outdoor camping table.
In addition to the basic equipment such as a camping stove and refrigerator, cooking in the caravan stands or falls with the right equipment.
A good Pan definitely part of the standard equipment. Practical is one detachable handle, so you can store the pan to save space.
In addition, a pot set not missing. I have two different sizes – a small and a relatively large pot. Besides that two lids – one that fits the small pot and one that fits the large pot and pan. Your pots should fit well inside each other so that you can store them as space-saving as possible.
I also have one foldable sieve made of plastic that I can use to drain pasta and wash salad. Alternatively, you can drain pasta using a lid.
It's a real game changer Omnia camping oven for the gas stove. The oven consists of an aluminum pot, a lid, a silicone baking pan and a grid. If you want to save money, there is one too cheaper set without grid and baking pan. You can bake fresh rolls, cakes or casseroles in it, for example, so you really don't have to do without anything when it comes to camping food.
At plates, bowls, mugs and cups should you up light and robust materials sit - preferably with anti-slip edge. It prevents your plate from sliding off the table while you eat and from slipping around while driving in the motorhome. When the two of me go on vacation in a mobile home, I have 4 plates and 4 bowls with me. Then I don't always have to rinse off immediately.
I also have one Cheap cutlery set from IKEA bought. Such sets are available from €5. My tip: I left the cutlery in the original packaging, which is in the form of a small cutlery box. That way I keep things tidy and was able to avoid some rubbish.
I also don't want to withhold two more personal tips from you. I have one in the camper for storing small kitchen utensils that should always be within reach Pole with hooks and containers (Series SUNNERSTA from IKEA) hung up. I use one in the drawers Anti-slip drawer mat , which I put between my pots, for example, so that they don't slip and jingle on the go.
Must-haves for cooking in the mobile home or camper
- spatula and ladle
- Cutting knife (with protective cover or similar)
- Can and bottle openers and corkscrews
- barbecue tongs
- lighter
- Scissors
- vegetable peeler
- Flexible trivet
- Flexible cutting boards (thin and space-saving)
- To-go coffee mug
- washing-up liquid, sponges and tea towels
- Foldable washing-up bowl
- Tupperware
- lunch bags
- garbage bags
- locking clamps in various sizes (for sealing open food packaging)
- kitchen roll
Important characteristics of good camping equipment
- space saving
- Low weight (aluminum instead of steel, plastic dishes instead of porcelain)
- Anti-slip edge for camping dishes
- Robust and unbreakable
Cooking in the mobile home: inside or outside?
Especially when it's cold outside, it is of course more convenient to cook directly in the mobile home or camper. However, you should keep in mind that everything is in a small space in the vehicle. It's easy for upholstery, curtains and cushions to wear for hours or days smell like food.
So when the weather permits, I cook always outdoors. In the vehicle itself, I tend to only prepare the food, for example chopping vegetables and meat. When it rains, I just build in awning in front of the mobile home or camper and sit under it.
If there is a really strong wind or storm, you have almost no choice but to cook in the vehicle. But then, watch out to ventilate during cooking And afterwards, of course, too - so that the odour-intensive air can escape directly and does not settle in the textiles.
Ideal foods for cooking in the motorhome
There are a number of ideal foods for cooking in the camper. As a rule, these fulfill certain properties. First, the food durable be. You can buy fresh ingredients on site during your trip. However, the food you have on hand should survive for several days.
In this context, it is also important that the food store well permit. In other words, they should not take up too much space (negative example: watermelon or a large pumpkin) and should not be sensitive to pressure (negative example: fresh tomatoes).
Ideally, the food versatile, so can be used for various dishes such as diced tomatoes from a can.
I'm trying on camping vacation to shop regionally and get fresh fruit, vegetables or meat at the market. I also recommend that you do a good research on regional to inform prices. If certain foods are particularly expensive in your holiday region, it makes sense to take them with you from home (e.g. alcoholic beverages in Scandinavia).
Shopping list before the start of the holiday
i have one for you Grocery shopping list, which I already have before the start of the holiday buy, put together. Of course, this is only a guide, as it always depends on preferences and individual tastes.
- pasta
- rice
- Ready made sauces and pesto
- Gnocchi, Couscous
- lenses
- Spices (salt, pepper, paprika powder, curry etc.)
- Onions and possibly garlic
- muesli and oatmeal
- UHT milk and yoghurt
- Bread
- Honey and jam (for dressings and as a sweet spread)
- Canned foods (kidney beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, corn, peas, chopped and crushed tomatoes, coconut milk)
- Snacks like granola bars and nuts
- vinegar and oil
- butter
- Coffee
- tea
- Vegetable broth or bouillon cubes
- garbage bag
Selection of quick and tasty recipes
There are endless recipes for delicious food, but not all of them are suitable for RV cooking. A good recipe should meet certain requirements. For one, you should prepare maximum two gas flames require. Most kitchens don't offer more stovetops. are the most practical One Pot Meals. On the other hand, the food should not take too long to cook - after all, there are more interesting activities when traveling than cooking for hours.
In addition, it makes sense to choose recipes for which you only a handful of ingredients need. A lot of ingredients, of which you may not even need a whole pack, take up too much space in storage and, on top of that, may break. The fewer ingredients in a recipe, the more suitable for camping.
I also have two tips: Always cut your ingredients as small as possible, then they will be ready faster. I would also avoid dishes that spread very strong odors. On the one hand, this could disturb your neighbors and, on the other hand, lead to unpleasant odors in the vehicle if you do not have the opportunity to cook outside due to the weather.
Below is a list of my favorites Camping Recipes. Let yourself be inspired by my suggestions and create your own favorite dishes, so that you don't have to do without delicious food when traveling with a mobile home or camper.
Tasty recipe suggestions for camping
- One pot pasta in different variations
- Ham noodles
- chili con/sin Carne
- Salad with tuna
- Schupfnudeln with bacon and sauerkraut
- Maultaschen with egg from the pan
- Red lentil valley
- Swiss sausage salad
- Oriental couscous salad
- Bowl with Greek rice noodles and halloumi
- Chicken and vegetable wraps
- potato goulash
- Broccoli salad
- Broccoli Rice Skillet
- Citizens
- Red lentil fitness bowl
- Fried asian noodles
- Chick pea curry
- Risotto
- Shakshuka
- Tortellini or pasta salad
- spaghetti bolognese
- Vegetable paella
- Peanut-Mie-Vegetable Pan
- Pearl barley and carrot stew
My three favorite dishes including recipe
Chili con carne
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 400 grams of minced meat
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 can of tomato passata
- 1 can of kidney beans
- 1 small can of corn
- 1 pepper
- Salt, pepper, chili con carne seasoning
Preparation:
Fry the minced meat in a pan until crumbly and then season well. Cut the peppers into small cubes and add them. Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, and corn and simmer until the peppers are tender. Season to taste with the spices.
Lentil Dal
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 175 grams of red lentils
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 piece ginger (or ginger powder)
- salt, curry powder, paprika powder
- Rice or bread as a side dish
Preparation:
Finely chop the onion and garlic, peel the ginger and also cut into very fine cubes. In a saucepan, sauté onions until translucent. Add the spices, garlic and ginger and sauté briefly. Add the lentils, tomatoes and coconut milk and simmer over a low heat until the lentils are cooked.
Peanut-Mie-Vegetable Pan
Ingredients for 2 servings:
- 2 squares of Mie noodles (bring them from home depending on your holiday destination)
- ½ broccoli
- 2 carrots
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 3-4 tbsp soy sauce
- curry
Preparation:
Cut the broccoli and carrots into small pieces. Put all ingredients together in a pan. Let simmer until the noodles are done. If the liquid is not enough, add a little water. Season with soy sauce and curry.
