Imagine a world without lists.
Even if you’re able to make regular escapes in your campervan or caravan, running through a quick checklist before you dash out the door will always pay dividends when you pull up at your destination.
Well fellow campervanners, it’s time for another list! And this time we’re talking campervan food.
As much as I love the philosophy of hunting for fresh seasonal produce at little roadside huts, the doomsday prepper in me can’t leave civilisation until the campervan pantry is bursting with some bare essentials.
With a bit of creativity you can produce loads of meals just from these ingredients, or you can supplement with fresh fish, meat and extra veggies as you go along.
So here’s the list of basics that you’ll always find in our campervan kitchen. It seems extensive when it’s typed out, but we manage to fit everything in one large plastic tupperware box (which is easily transferred to and from the house) and a small fridge. Plus we have a ‘tea and biscuit cupboard’ which houses the rest.
And while you’ll rarely use everything here on a weekend break, when you’re reaching the end of your trip and only have a few fresh ingredients left to play with, a squeeze of lemon juice or a quick garlic and parsley butter can really liven up an old field mushroom.
LIST OF CAMPERVAN PANTRY BASICS
DAIRY / FRIDGE
Butter
Milk
Yoghurt
Cheese (usually have cheddar, feta, sometimes haloumi and a small block of parmesan)
Mini pots of Philly (good for a quick sauce)
Eggs
Bacon
Meat (usually buy fresh as we go)
Fruit (selection)
SAUCES / CONDIMENTS
Balsamic or red wine vinegar
Soy sauce
Sweet chilli sauce
Mayonnaise
Salt and pepper
Tomato ketchup
Sachets tomato paste
Branston pickle (of course)
Mustard (usually have Dijon and wholegrain)
Dried herbs and spices (a selection, but the following are always there: oregano, chilli powder, ground cumin, paprika, ground coriander, sesame seeds)
Extra virgin olive oil
Carton ready made stock and a couple of stock cubes
Honey
DRY GOODS
Breakfast cereal (small box, also porridge sachets take up little room)
Bread/rolls (we actually rarely take bread with us – it takes up too much room in the fridge and doesn’t last long in the cupboard, particularly in the summer)
Biscuits / snacks / cake
Flour (only a small amount in a tupperware / ziploc bag – useful for a quick sauce thickener)
Pine nuts
Pasta and/or spaghetti
Risoni (great for a quick camping ‘risotto’)
Rice
Noodles
Couscous (small sachets are good – am currently addicted to Ainsley Harriot’s)
TINS/JARS (mini tins where possible)
Tuna
Mixed beans / kidney beans / chickpeas
Baked beans
Beetroot
Capers
Olives
Curry paste
Coconut milk
Chopped tomatoes
Pesto
VEGGIES
Peppers
Onions and spring onions
Garlic / ginger / chilli
Lemons
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Ready washed baby spinach
Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Avocado
Broccoli / bok choy / green beans / snow peas (easy to stir fry)
Bunch fresh herbs (whatever’s in the garden – mint / basil / coriander / rosemary / parsley wrapped in a paper towel)
DRINKS
Tea (many kinds!), coffee, sugar
Bottled water
Squash / juice cartons
Wine
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So all you need to do is fill a large tupperware box with some pantry basics like those in the list above, and there’ll be no excuse for serving sausages every evening – you’ll be creating fabulous camping meals that are the envy of all your neighbours. Recipes coming soon!
The Campervan Converts 