How To Eat Well When You're Caravanning

Being in a small space is part of the caravan holiday charm, but there are times where you wish you had just that little bit more room – especially when you're trying to cook a meal for the whole family.

Going on a caravan break during the summer months is so much easier, as you have the great outdoors to use for your evening meal. BBQs come as part of the package when you go camping and caravanning, and most meals are comprised of a perfectly grilled burger, enough sausages to sink a small boat and an array of salad, coleslaw and pasta bowl trimmings to accompany your meat.

However, during the winter months when the weather outside is soggy, you don't really want to be stood in the cold cooking sausages and it's tempting to eat out at fast food restaurants or order in a takeaway. As the new year begins, you're probably wanting to try and eat a little healthier, avoiding greasy food and ready meals laden with salt and fat.

Although you're short on space, there are easy, quick and healthy meals you can cook using minimal pots and pans in your caravan – and they will be a lot tastier than the processed food that it's tempting to grab on the go.

We've come up with a few ideas that we think you'll love:

Stir fries

A stir fry is one of the easiest meals you can make, using just one wok and minimal effort. Buying ready prepared vegetables and sliced meat such as chicken cuts down on prep time and mess. All you need to do is throw the ingredients into a hot wok and add a sauce, then voilà, you have a filling and healthy meal that all the family can enjoy.

Invest in a slow cooker

A slow cooker would be your best friend on a caravan holiday. If you want to create homely meals with no effort at all, invest in a slow cooker. They aren't expensive, so even if you do only use it whilst away on your holidays, it's worth getting one. The beauty of a slow cooker is that you can throw all your ingredients into the pot in the morning and leave it all day whilst you explore the campsite and various activities the area has to offer. Once you return in the evening, the whole meal is cooked and ready for you to serve up.

A slow cooker can make an array of soups and stews, as well as chilli, bolognese, curry, pulled pork and even fajitas. If you are looking for something to replace your Sunday dinner, you don't need to cut any corners. Roast joints of meat such as beef, lamb, pork or gammon in your slow cooker to accompany any trimmings.

Pasta dishes

Creating pasta dishes in the caravan is a simple way of creating filling and healthy meals for the whole family. Most caravans have a hob, but if you are tight on space, you can use table top hobs that can easily be stored away after use.

To make a healthy and tasty pasta bake, boil your pasta and mix it with your choice of vegetables, meat and sauce. Top the whole thing with cheese and if you like a little crunch, try breaking up ready salted crisps and scattering them on top.

Paella

If you want to cook something a little more special than your average quick, family meal, why not try a paella or risotto. The whole family will love it and it can be made simply using just one pan and a few ingredients. If you're by the sea, why not embrace the local economy and use seafood caught by fisherman in your dishes. The fresh taste will transform your dishes, and seafood doesn't take hours to cook, meaning you can create your tasty meal using minimal space and time.

Pizzas

If you do get some good weather one evening and want to cook outdoors, you might not fancy the traditional BBQ and want a healthier alternative to a takeaway. Why not attempt to create your own pizzas? You can buy ready made dough to save on the mess of making your own and buy pre-cooked meat and ready prepared vegetables such as sliced mushrooms and peppers to create personalised toppings. Children will love being in charge of their own individual pizza and decorating it with brightly coloured toppings – a great way to help them get their 5 a day.

When on holiday, you don't want to be slaving over a stove for hours, especially in a confined space like a caravan, so these ideas would be perfect for you.

What do you like to cook when you're on holiday and need to feed your family with something tasty, healthy and quick?

Share your ideas in the comments below and let us know if you have any suggestions to make these ideas even better!