While camping and caravanning are becoming more popular, a good thing I say, there are a number of people who don’t see the attraction and one of the barriers is “how can I cook for my family without a fully equipped kitchen?” To be sure, camping brings forth the image of people huddled round a gas stove and a meal comprising a can of Heinz baked beans or canned stew or soup – hardly enticing. This doesn’t have to be the situation when you have a caravan kitchen. The only limitations are your imagination and a few simple safety rules.

In general caravans kitchenettes have at least two hobs, a grill and a thermostatic oven and many incorporate a microwave as well. You can easily make the exact meals that you cook at home. Its a splendid treat on a beautiful morning to push open your door onto the great outdoors and relax in the magnificence of a full English breakfast while viewing the glories of nature. However, here are a few menu ideas that you might be well advised to leave alone:

• Fish and chips – the aroma of fried fish can really linger in your soft furnishings and its generally not a great notion to undertake deep frying. Anyway, you would be wise to take advantage of the great chip-shops throughout the Great Britain.
• Any dish that calls for flambéing is a no-no, consider that your caravan insurance policy could exclude payment on any accidents or damage resulting from this.
• Full English roast with all the trimmings. Dread to contemplate 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 travels.

Bar-B-Qs are justifiably widespread and portable equipment is easy to find, but should the temperamental British weather prove to be a wet squib you will need quick and easy meals to prepare, with the least work and washing up and maximum taste. Here are a few suggestions:

• Chicken Provencal – chicken portions are marinaded in garlic, herbs, red wine. Drain and fry until crisp on the outside the chicken and then cook with a mixture of vegetables peppers, onions, mushrooms, carrots and a tin of tomatoes in a medium-high oven in a casserole dish for roughly half an hour. Just before the dish is ready, stir in some black olives and it is perfect served with crusty bread, boiled potatoes or couscous with green beans.
• Any curry dish using a jar of packet sauce, serve with rice.
• One pot meals i.e. bolognese sauce, chilli con carne or Irish stew.
• Small roasts, such as chicken (if there is no convenient food market rotisserie) or beef.
• 3 course meal, melon and parma ham as an appetizer, with steak, mixed salad and potatoes roasted in the oven for the main course and for pudding, a slice of cake – or of course anything your heart desires.

Whichever way you choose to cook in your touring caravan, remember to make savings by getting your caravan insurance from a reputable motorhome insurance comparison site and all that saved money can go towards fine dining and Cordon Bleu dishes!

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