Nathan Shipps
Being prepared and having the right ingredients makes it easier to cook at a campsite.
Words by Charlotte Stewart
Hot dogs and s'mores are favourites around a campfire, but if you're travelling for extended periods, you’ll probably want to cook recipes with the ingredients you commonly use at home. Being prepared for breakfast, lunch or dinner just makes it easier to create favourite meals in your RV. Here are some tips for cooking on the road.
Keep Common Spices on Hand
A good assortment of spices helps enhance the flavour of most recipes. They are easy to store and don't take up a lot of space. The most common include black pepper, salt, garlic powder, thyme, cinnamon, oregano, rosemary, cayenne pepper, cumin, nutmeg, and paprika.
Storing Fresh and Frozen Food
When you purchase fresh produce at a destination, you need to be diligent in your storage techniques. Pre-washing vegetables and fruits can increase the spoiling process so only rinse them just before cooking.
Daniel Norris
Be extra careful when cooking around an open fire.
Another way to keep your produce fresh for longer periods is by storing fruits and vegetables separately. Fruits emit ethylene gas, which can increase the rate of spoiling. You can easily separate them with a good set of storage containers. They will also help you organize your fridge better.
Freezing food is another way to extend its life and save you some time with fewer visits to the grocery store. Most foods can be kept frozen (and many portable freezers are available) but some shouldn't be, specifically water-rich produce like lettuce, potatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, and apples.
Use Marinades to Add Flavour
Nothing is more enjoyable than taking advantage of beautiful weather, lighting up a charcoal grill and cooking over the intense heat of amber-coloured coals.
Marinating your food is a great way to improve flavour when grilling. Soy sauce, balsamic vinaigrette and garlic are often found in marinade recipes. All you need is a stainless-steel bowl and whisk. These items can also be stored easily and are versatile for many recipes.
Myles Tan
Never leave an open fire or food on the grill unattended.
Plan Ahead
Depending on the type of protein and sides you like to cook, plan your time accordingly. For example, potatoes take longer to cook than most foods so they should always hit the grill first. The latest trend of air fryers not only speed up cooking times for many foods but they are also handy for RVing. Air fryers are storage-friendly and a healthier alternative than frying with oil.
Cook Safe
Wherever you make meals during your travels, safety should always be a top priority. From damage to your RV to the safety of your family, cooking in a small, closed space can have many risks.
Avoid the dangers by closely monitoring the food, making sure all of your appliances are in good condition and having an up-to-date fire extinguisher on hand. When you grill near your RV, ensure the area is clean without potential fire hazards and never leave it unattended.
Fires are one of the leading causes of RV loss, so before you head out on your next trip, make sure you have the proper RV insurance coverage.
Wayfarer Insurance provides insurance designed specifically to address the unique needs that come with owning a trailer and motorhome. Our licensed brokers are available to provide peace of mind wherever the road takes you. For more information visit www.wayfarerinsurancegroup.com