Cooking in camper van



B

biig

Guest
We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon
 
biig <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in
> our camper van.

Where y'all headed? (Avoid all KOA if at all possible!)

> Any ideas for simple meals [..] Any suggestions?

I'm partial to carrying along a pint of bacon grease for our morning
scrambled and toast. It's also adds a nice flavoring when frying up the
daily catch. Saying that, you might also pack along Wesson; it's
all-purpose and allows quick cleaning of most pots and pans. Lastly, we
also like bringing along onion powder, dehydrated onion flakes, Skippy
Creamy, Smuckers' Strawberry, and Miracle Whip. That way we keep a lot
of meals simple and cleanup easy.

Enjoy your trip!

The Ranger
 
"biig" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
> van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
> micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
> simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
> s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
> lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
> expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
> a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon

Pasta and sauce dishes!

Works for me, even tent camping.



Shaun aRe
 
"biig" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
> van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
> micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
> simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
> s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
> lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
> expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
> a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon

1. Get a small hibachi which you can use outdoors. it makes for great
grilling.
2. Think fresh salads with some grilled meat.
3. If you're grilling say chicken breasts grill 4 - 2 to eat today and while
you're eating grill 2 more for salad dinners or chicken salad sandwiches in a
day or so.
4. Think about dual purpose items - salad dressings for example make
acceptable short term marinades.
5. Take a griddle and a small wok along that will fit onto the charcoal coals
or on the hibachi.
6. Think ramen - Hot water some veggies and some leftover meat make a great
lunch/dinner.
7. Don't forget cottage cheese and fresh fruit in a lettuce bowl.
8. Oatmeal makes a hearty breakfast and will be a welcome change from cold
cereal. Don't forget the dried fruit.


Dimitri
 
The Ranger wrote:
>
> biig <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in
> > our camper van.
>
> Where y'all headed? (Avoid all KOA if at all possible!)
>
> > Any ideas for simple meals [..] Any suggestions?
>
> I'm partial to carrying along a pint of bacon grease for our morning
> scrambled and toast. It's also adds a nice flavoring when frying up the
> daily catch. Saying that, you might also pack along Wesson; it's
> all-purpose and allows quick cleaning of most pots and pans. Lastly, we
> also like bringing along onion powder, dehydrated onion flakes, Skippy
> Creamy, Smuckers' Strawberry, and Miracle Whip. That way we keep a lot
> of meals simple and cleanup easy.
>
> Enjoy your trip!

We hope to get to PEI and Cape Breton Island. We went west last year
and our goal this year is the Maritimes. That'll about do it for our
long distance travel. Retirement is great, but money is tight.....we
will have a good time though, no matter where we go. KOA is much more
expensive and we like the family run campgrounds best. Another
adventure under our belts........Sharon





>
> The Ranger
 
biig wrote:
> We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
> van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
> micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
> simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
> s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
> lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
> expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
> a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon

We traveled from WA state to Honduras with a travel trailer and only
ate out in the big cities. We did a lot of pastas with a variety of
fresh veggies, and sauces that were easy to make using basic Italian
herbs and garlic. We even brough along a few packages of smoked salmon
and on a few occasions had pasta with smoked salmon in it. In Veracruz,
we bought fresh fish and grilled it. Lots of salads also.

Sandi

Sandi
 
biig wrote:

>
> The Ranger wrote:

>
> We hope to get to PEI and Cape Breton Island. We went west last year
> and our goal this year is the Maritimes. That'll about do it for our
> long distance travel. Retirement is great, but money is tight.....we
> will have a good time though, no matter where we go. KOA is much more
> expensive and we like the family run campgrounds best. Another
> adventure under our belts........Sharon
>
>>> The Ranger

My husband and I went camping in Cape Breton 3 weeks ago - when the weather
was cold and wet. However, we had a great time.
The KOA in Cape Breton is great - except it is right on the TransCanada
highway, so you will hear big trucks at night - the campground it at the
base of a mountain. However, the view is awesome and there is a resident
bald eagle there. The owners are very helpful and friendly.
Do Not stay a the Hidden Treasures campground in Main a Dieu (on the way to
Louisbourg) we're still trying to find the treasure - not well laid out &
facilities needed some upgrades, but you are right on a lake.
The Cheticamp Island campground was also lovely - right on the beach but
sheltered from the wind. Very clean & neat. Tennis, mini putt,
playground, games room, etc. There is also a light house nearby (walking
distance) from which my hubbie and I watched for pilot whales while the
sunset into the ocean. Ah, the romance.
MacLeod's Campground in Dunvegan is lovely - a bit pricey, but right on the
strait with easy access to a lovely beach - secluded - no traffic noise,
and clean and beautiful.
OK, enough tour guide talk...here's what I made for breakfast most days that
I learned in one of the many camping books I read...
I call it Deli Bagel #2 even though it's not on a bagel:
for 2 servings-
While the pot of hot water is boiling for coffee, take 2 eggs, salt & pepper
& some cream and put into a clean ziplock baggie - seal baggie securely &
shake like a maniac to scramble (this is a great job when the blackflies
are bad).
Next, butter 4 slices of bread & place butter side down on frying pan (we
had a hinged grill thing that we could "sandwich" food between and hold
over a fire - can't think of the name!).
On the bread, place slices of cheddar cheese, tomato, and possibly slices of
leftover meat, and some Mrs. Dash.
When water is boiling, carefully place the bag of eggs in the hot water -
keep an eye on the plastic so it doesn't melt - my husband got so good at
placing the baggie that he could even put a cover on the pot. The eggs
will cook fairly quickly - when you no longer see liquid egg, take out the
bag. During the next step, get hubbie to make the coffee - this will all
time out beautifully!
Split the bag for easy access, cut egg/omelet in 1/2 (which will most likely
be rectangular in shape & the egg may not be completely cooked - that's ok)
and divide between the 2 bread slices - cover with remaining bread slice &
grill evenly on both sides - like a grilled cheese. The egg will cook
through and the cheese will melt.
Remove from pan, slide onto plates, pour coffee, take a deep breath of Cape
Breton air, and dig into the BEST breakfast sandwich ever!
I could tell you about some of the fresh seafood meals we had, but I'd have
to start a new newsgroup!
Have a great trip - I hope it is as wonderful & thrifty as ours!
The Tenters
 
biig wrote:
>
>
> We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
> van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
> micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
> simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
> s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
> lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
> expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
> a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon

They key to variety is knowing what someone doesn't like. For me it is
swimmers, anything that swims - any kind of fish or seafood.

The other thing is, are you going to be in one spot for a couple of days
or are you on the move and setting up camp every afternoon around 3:30 -
in the bush or near a shopping centre all play a role in choice.

Spaghetti - sm amt of meat, vegetables, spices, tomato past, water/wine,
olive oil simmer, spices. Sprinkle cheese on the pasta then pour on the
sauce. 15 - 20 min to the finish.

Basic stew - potato, carrot, celery, spices/herbs, onion, meat of
choice, garlic or not, fresh tomato, tomato paste, wine or not, broth or
not, water or not, simmer. done in no time.

Stirfry.

Hamburgers.

Hearty Soup, drained can chickpeas, chopped tomato, celery, potato,
carrot, choice of meat, onion, herbs, spices, tomato paste, water,
garlic or not. Simmer over low heat several hours. Lovely middle
eastern flavour with a pinch of cumin and tumeric and half a pinch of
cinnamon.

There are 5 meals. I am sure others have good ideas, too.
 
"Bock" wrote:
We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
>> van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
>> micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
>> simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
>> s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
>> lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
>> expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
>> a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon

Hundred of cans of Tuna fish under oil and anchovies. With Tuna fish you
can season Spaghetti, with or without tomatos sauce, you can eat with fresh
tomatos for a salad etc...
To make a white sauce for Spaghetti: put olive oil, anchovies, Tuna and a
little piece of hot chili pepper, a whole garlic clove and minced parsley in
a frying pan till anchovies are liquefied. With this sauce you can season
Spaghetti or other kind of Pasta: VERYYYYY GOOOOOD!
If you want a red sauce for your pasta, you can add some tomatos sauce. In
this case, you make a tomato's sauce with oil , garlic and anchovies, only
some minutes before it is ready, you add minced tuna.
Cheers and have a nice trip!
Pandora
 
Bock wrote:
>
> biig wrote:
> >
> >
> > We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
> > van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
> > micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
> > simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
> > s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
> > lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
> > expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
> > a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon
>
> They key to variety is knowing what someone doesn't like. For me it is
> swimmers, anything that swims - any kind of fish or seafood.
>
> The other thing is, are you going to be in one spot for a couple of days
> or are you on the move and setting up camp every afternoon around 3:30 -
> in the bush or near a shopping centre all play a role in choice.
>
> Spaghetti - sm amt of meat, vegetables, spices, tomato past, water/wine,
> olive oil simmer, spices. Sprinkle cheese on the pasta then pour on the
> sauce. 15 - 20 min to the finish.
>
> Basic stew - potato, carrot, celery, spices/herbs, onion, meat of
> choice, garlic or not, fresh tomato, tomato paste, wine or not, broth or
> not, water or not, simmer. done in no time.
>
> Stirfry.
>
> Hamburgers.
>
> Hearty Soup, drained can chickpeas, chopped tomato, celery, potato,
> carrot, choice of meat, onion, herbs, spices, tomato paste, water,
> garlic or not. Simmer over low heat several hours. Lovely middle
> eastern flavour with a pinch of cumin and tumeric and half a pinch of
> cinnamon.
>
> There are 5 meals. I am sure others have good ideas, too.

We will likely be traveling each day. We usually camp about 3 pm in
order to get a better choice of site. Last year we managed to have
hydro except the three days we wilderness camped with our son and
family. They are campfire cookers. We've been there and done that and
are old enough now to want our comforts..lol... Sharon
 
Pandora wrote:
>
> "Bock" wrote:
> We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
> >> van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
> >> micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
> >> simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
> >> s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
> >> lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
> >> expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
> >> a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon
>
> Hundred of cans of Tuna fish under oil and anchovies. With Tuna fish you
> can season Spaghetti, with or without tomatos sauce, you can eat with fresh
> tomatos for a salad etc...
> To make a white sauce for Spaghetti: put olive oil, anchovies, Tuna and a
> little piece of hot chili pepper, a whole garlic clove and minced parsley in
> a frying pan till anchovies are liquefied. With this sauce you can season
> Spaghetti or other kind of Pasta: VERYYYYY GOOOOOD!
> If you want a red sauce for your pasta, you can add some tomatos sauce. In
> this case, you make a tomato's sauce with oil , garlic and anchovies, only
> some minutes before it is ready, you add minced tuna.
> Cheers and have a nice trip!

> Pandora

Thanks to all for the suggestions.
 
In article <[email protected]>, biig <[email protected]> wrote:

> Bock wrote:
> >
> > biig wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > We leave Saturday morning for a few weeks traveling in our camper
> > > van. We have a two burner hotplate, slow cooker, gtexpress cooker,
> > > micro, toaster, coffee maker. Small fridge (bar size). Any ideas for
> > > simple meals using basic seasonings (I plan on using Mrs. Dash, garlic,
> > > s and p etc.) We travelled last summer for two months, but ate out a
> > > lot. This year's budget is much smaller and I want to cut out that
> > > expense. We also have a coleman stove that can be used in the event of
> > > a campsite with no hydry. Any suggestions? Thanks.....Sharon
> >
> > They key to variety is knowing what someone doesn't like. For me it is
> > swimmers, anything that swims - any kind of fish or seafood.
> >
> > The other thing is, are you going to be in one spot for a couple of days
> > or are you on the move and setting up camp every afternoon around 3:30 -
> > in the bush or near a shopping centre all play a role in choice.
> >
> > Spaghetti - sm amt of meat, vegetables, spices, tomato past, water/wine,
> > olive oil simmer, spices. Sprinkle cheese on the pasta then pour on the
> > sauce. 15 - 20 min to the finish.
> >
> > Basic stew - potato, carrot, celery, spices/herbs, onion, meat of
> > choice, garlic or not, fresh tomato, tomato paste, wine or not, broth or
> > not, water or not, simmer. done in no time.
> >
> > Stirfry.
> >
> > Hamburgers.
> >
> > Hearty Soup, drained can chickpeas, chopped tomato, celery, potato,
> > carrot, choice of meat, onion, herbs, spices, tomato paste, water,
> > garlic or not. Simmer over low heat several hours. Lovely middle
> > eastern flavour with a pinch of cumin and tumeric and half a pinch of
> > cinnamon.
> >
> > There are 5 meals. I am sure others have good ideas, too.
>
> We will likely be traveling each day. We usually camp about 3 pm in
> order to get a better choice of site. Last year we managed to have
> hydro except the three days we wilderness camped with our son and
> family. They are campfire cookers. We've been there and done that and
> are old enough now to want our comforts..lol... Sharon

Why not bring a small gas barbecue with you? You can probably find a
portable gas barbecue in any decent sporting goods or army/navy store.
With a gas barbecue and a can of propane, you can expand your menu
considerably, plus clean-up is easier.
 
snip
> >
> > We will likely be traveling each day. We usually camp about 3 pm in
> > order to get a better choice of site. Last year we managed to have
> > hydro except the three days we wilderness camped with our son and
> > family. They are campfire cookers. We've been there and done that and
> > are old enough now to want our comforts..lol... Sharon
>
> Why not bring a small gas barbecue with you? You can probably find a
> portable gas barbecue in any decent sporting goods or army/navy store.
> With a gas barbecue and a can of propane, you can expand your menu
> considerably, plus clean-up is easier.

That's a good idea, but our space is too limited. We have a small
rack with legs, that sits in a tray that holds charcoal, and that will
have to do for a bbq. The legs fold down and it's pretty compact. Just
not as good as a gas grill. Thanks though ....Sharon
 
Great ideas here! Thanks for sharing!
What vans do you guys use? I'm going to buy one but can't decide which one would be the best choice. Any recommendations?
 
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