Inspiration for evening meals while staying in a static caravan

[Lightningrain]

We’re staying in a static caravan for a long weekend in a couple of weeks and I’m struggling for inspiration.

I always find the choice of pans and utensils to be lacking when we’re on self catering holidays, and don’t want to spend ages washing up after using every pan when there’s no dishwasher.

Does anyone have any go-to meals for when you’re self catering?

It’s just DP and I who don’t have any major food dislikes or requirements. We tend to eat reasonably healthy meals but not averse to a treat while we’re away.

I’m stuck thinking of the usual midweek meals - pasta, stir fry, curry etc.

We usually take along our own double-pan steamer so we can cook rice/potatoes & veg with something we buy locally - pie, fish, whatever we fancy.

Freeze some of your usual food and take with you.

Take a good oven tray and some herbs/spices with you and do tray bakes with lots of different veg and proteins. The oven probably isn't fantastic so everything normally needs longer than at home, but it's only one pan to wash up, v little effort and tastes good. We like white fish with roasted new potatoes, spinach and tomatoes with lots of lemon and garlic, or Mediterranean veg with harissa and feta added once its out the oven, or cajun spiced chicken and potato wedges with peppers/onions/mushrooms

For a long weekend I usually make a meal like chilli/Bolognese at home and take that for the first night - and trying not to forget to also take the rice or pasta with me 🙈 I find the old el paso boxes for fajitas etc are handy as you just need to get (or take) the chicken with you and then we treat ourselves to a takeaway for the other night.

We quite like the tesco meals for two for £10 when we're away. A main, side, dessert and wine for two for a tenner. Super easy for holidays.

I normally take something frozen for the first night which defrosts on the journey e.g. spag Bol or tagine
Second night is invariably a Higgidy quiche with bagged salad.
This year I also took some burgers and fishcakes.

If it’s a caravan consider that the oven might be terrible. It took about 30 minutes to half cook / half burn a pizza at the last one I stayed in!
I’d recommend something easy in one pan - chilli, curry etc…

You are on holiday so resist the tempation to cook especially if there is no guarantee that the oven is any good. Treat yourselves to some grown up picnic foods you may not normally have. Buy artisan bread, pates, cold meats, cheeses, chutneys, a pie and a couple of bags of salad. Olives, good crisps, a nice wine (or fruit presse if TT). One night have fish and chips. Have a proper break!

@fourquenelles

You are on holiday so resist the tempation to cook especially if there is no guarantee that the oven is any good. Treat yourselves to some grown up picnic foods you may not normally have. Buy artisan bread, pates, cold meats, cheeses, chutneys, a pie and a couple of bags of salad. Olives, good crisps, a nice wine (or fruit presse if TT). One night have fish and chips. Have a proper break!

I think this is excellent advice, as long as it's not too cold in the caravan. If it is cold, you might prefer to have a hot meal. Those vacuum packs of mussels in a nice sauce might be OK, with some good bread and a lovely selection of fruit to provide the Vitamin C, fibre etc.

I make fajita filling at home so just reheat. Then you can have quesadillas the next day for lunch. And take away or pub lunch/dinner for the other meal.

You don't want to be doing a load of washing up and messing with crappy implements and pans for a weekend

Some good ideas here, thank you!

We definitely planned on at least one takeaway and we do like a good charcuterie and cheese board so hopefully we can find a local deli and bakery for some nice bread.

I didn’t consider the oven being an issue but will bear that in mind! It’s allegedly a superior, ultra modern caravan so you’d have thought the oven would be usable. I do like traybakes as there’s minimal washing up and they don’t need constant watching (can sit with a glass of wine while it’s cooking!) It’s also got full central heating so I’m hoping we won’t be cold.

I had thought about taking some food from the freezer but was keen to limit what we’re taking in the car as it’s not huge. I do have some chilli to use up though.

We also take bolognaise or alike for Friday evening, have a bbq one night or eat out and also get a tesco curry that can be done in the microwave for final night. Take fruit, bread, milk, cereal and sandwich filling... Plus wine

I usually do one pan wonder types!
Fajitas/risotto/nachos/pasta
Not mad healthy but easy and it’s a bloody holiday!

I love a caravan holiday ! I am one one now !

I think having lovely cheese and deli meats is perfect with wine

Or get a nice lasagna or m and s dine in deal

Warning, I found the oven extremely slow to warm up and didn't reach maximum temperature.

Fish fingers and chips took hours.

Stick with stove meals.

We do bags of salad leaves plus tomatoes and avocado with a tub of prawn cocktail and a pack of smoked salmon, all piled up.

Fish and chips another night, frozen casserole from home one night. We have a microwave though so don't use the dodgy oven much!