Chef Ron
ChefRon's Tips
Not everyone is into cooking…
…and if you're camping for just a couple of days, yes, you can exist on frozen dinners or patronise local takeaways etc. You could also throw a can of baked beans over a few snags and garnish them with a fried egg perhaps. But, be warned, food boredom can quickly set in if you live under canvas for any length of time. It's worth remembering that a decent feed, well-lubricated by the grog of your choice, never fails to boost morale (and the cook's ego) at the end of even the wettest, most boring, ill-tempered day!
If you are keen to cook however, here are some tips to help lighten your task!
Preparation Tips.
All you experienced campers will know this already of course but it can't be over-stated that the key to stress-free camp-cooking is to arrive on site with the 'cuisine' part of your holiday already well thought through and, where possible, prepared beforehand.
Take these (and similar) items in your coolbox:
- Pre-cooked beef mince / chicken pieces / stews / curries / ratatouille / soup etc (after cooking these in the comfort of your home, cool and then freeze them in sealable polybags - enough for two (say) per bag.)
- Pre chopped/sliced onions / peppers etc. Bag and freeze as above.
Note: Don't take more food than you'll need!
This pre-prepping not only reduces stress, mess and cooking time but also saves on valuable stowage space in your trusty 'A' Series. Purists might suggest that it's 'cheating'. It isn't…. and if they prefer to take a live turkey* plus 15Kg of vegetables on holiday with them in their 2CV, they're very welcome.
Cool Tips.
- Make sure your coolbox is efficient and as full of frozen foods (plus freezer blocks or ice) as possible. Replenish ice/freezer blocks regularly.
- Pack each item in a separate watertight container or polybag.
- Keep drinks in a separate coolbox or bag so that the food coolbox is opened as infrequently as possible.
Mess avoidance Tips.
- Buy things in tubes! Garlic, Chilli, Tomato purée, margerine, ginger, herbs etc. These really reduce mess and time-wasting. You're on holiday too, remember!
- Use zipper polybags for sloppy stuff - soups, sauces, marinades etc.
- Don't throw out used 'sports' water bottles (the ones with the valve top). They're good for oils, dressings and some sauces.
- Eggs. Put each one in a plastic bag and then back into the egg box. If an egg breaks.. voilà!.. no mess! + you can pick out the shell and still use the egg.
'We're bound to have forgotten something.'
- A wok with a steamer tray and lid is extremely versatile.
- Turkey-strength tinfoil - very useful in the camping kitchen eg. as an oven….(*or to prevent your turkey escaping).
- A good wind shield.
- Gas jet cleaners.
Final Tips.
Wherever you go - despite being fully prepared and frighteningly efficient - don't forget to visit the neighbourhood market and shops. Sample the local foods and wines/beers. Ask for local recipes.
These lists will be on-going - and please also send in your own additions to tiptalk@bonapart2CV.com
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