First published in Great Britain in 2010 by Saltyard Books
An imprint of Hodder & Stoughton
An Hachette UK company
Text Martin Dorey 2010
All recipes Sarah Randell 2010, except the following which are Martin Dorey: Dawn patrol breakfast, Moules in coconut milk and coriander, Camper van moules, The Surfdotcom Toastie, Martins Bloody Mary, Mackers and mash, camper van style, Marts salad dressing, Double-handed breakfast banjo, Chocolate strawberries, Strawberries and cream, The boyfriend potato salad, Freddys milky chanterelles on toast, Sloe gin, Elderberry cordial
Photography Martin Dorey 2010
Additional photography Dan Jones, Dave Keightley, Nico Chapman, Martin Knight, Tab Parry, TYF Adventures, O'Connors Campers, Guy Harrop and Simon Mitchell
The right of Martin Dorey and Sarah Randell to be identified as the Authors of the Work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978 1 444 734 70 6
Design and page make-up by Craig Burgess
Copy editor Jo Hill
Indexer Caroline Wilding
Saltyard Books
338 Euston Road
London NW1 3BH
www.saltyardbooks.co.uk
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FOR JOANNE, MAGGIE AND CHARLIE
WHO HAVE JOINED ME ON THE BEST JOURNEY EVER.
AND
MARTIN, CATH, JACK AND THOMAS, THE COOLEST CAMPER VAN CAMPERS OF THEM ALL.
Ill be going where I can in my big blue camper van and this happy, happy face will pop up all around the place. Give me strength to stay awake from dawn till dusk, from dusk till daybreak.
Camper Van, The Adventure Babies.
Table of Contents
FRIDAY NIGHT
SATURDAY MORNING
SATURDAY LUNCH
SATURDAY NIGHT
SUNDAY MORNING
SUNDAY LUNCH
SUNDAY TEA
What is it that makes camper van living so special? Memories of long hot summers? The idea that you can take off at any moment? Driving something that brings a smile to your face? Who knows? But whats certain is that a camper van promises freedom, fun, adventure and an escape from the everyday. Its a chance to live the dream, out in the open, away from the rat race.
Come sunset, a camper van will enable you to relax around the campfire until youre ready to turn in because theres no need to hitch a ride home. You can just roll into bed and wake up early for the next days adventure. Even in winter, when its freezing outside, your home from home will give you somewhere warm and dry to brew up a cuppa.
Successful camper van living even if its just for a weekend requires humour, resourcefulness and a little bit of imagination. In The Camper Van Cookbook youll find everything you need to start your journey. Youll pick up a few tips on simple foraging, the rules of the road, camper van etiquette and a whole lot more besides. Youll find out how to get a warm shower in the middle of nowhere and why you should never drive in flip flops. Of course, most importantly, youll find lots of delicious recipes to cook on your two-ringed stove.
Anyone can heat up a tin of beans, but to cook really well in a camper van, youre going to have to forget the fancy kitchen youve got at home. Its all about organising your space and using as few pots as possible. When youre settling down to an outdoor feast with the best view in the world, the last thing on your mind should be the washing-up. But that doesnt mean you cant be adventurous, which is why weve included some dishes for really special occasions. If Rick Stein can cook a fabulous dish on one ring on a boat, you can serve up a camper van banquet on dry land...
You dont even have to confine yourself to cooking inside the van barbecues and open fires are all part of the experience. So youll find some great recipes for those days when you dont fancy being confined to the camper van kitchen (even if it is parked at the beach). Just slide open the door, light up a fire and live a little. Youre about to begin the adventure of a lifetime...
The weekend starts here
Its the end of the working week and youve got that Friday feeling. The countryside is just a short dash (and a little bit of traffic) away. But before you can park up and crack open the wine, youve got to hit the road and join the great Friday getaway. Theres no time to lose.
If youre organised youll be on the road before you can say wash one, wear one. And thatll be because youve got everything and I mean everything you need for basic camper van survival packed up and ready to go, even down to a spare toothbrush in case your last-minute packing becomes a little too last-minute.
Its all very simple really. Keep your van in a constant state of readiness and, come Friday, your departure will be painless. To make it totally foolproof Ive put together my checklist for a quick getaway. Its like a second home inventory for life on the move and means that, even if you have only a moment to dash home and change before heading off, at least youll have the bare essentials. If the worst comes to the worst, all youll have to do is buy a few perishables when you get there.
For me its a psychological thing too. If the van is ready, then so am I. No matter what happens, come the end of the working day, I feel as if I can take off at any moment, even if all I can manage is a trip to the park for a brew. Keeping the van ready gives me the illusion of freedom. And that makes me feel good. Skip that late meeting! Forget the chores! Im off.
Grab a loaf and pint of milk from the corner shop and make a run for it.
Packing and preparing for a trip away is very exciting. But, in case you hadnt noticed, there may be a small problem space is very limited. Your poor old van can only carry so much. If shes creaking on her axles and bursting at the seams youve probably gone too far. How are you going to live with so little space left for yourselves? And thats before youve loaded up the bikes and the surfboards.
