For most people, I know that camp chow means simple
– beans and wieners, made-ahead casseroles, and quick-fix meals with few
ingredients. But, alas, we are not most
people, and while we enjoy the simplicity of camping, we do not compromise on
our meals. My travelling spice box
contains about 50 packets of everything you can imagine, from cardamom pods to
whole nutmeg! You just never know when you might need something!
At ‘home’ we cook up great feasts, every night,
using every pot, pan, plate and implement available; messing up the counter
top, stove top and every other surface imaginable. As I’ve written in the past, the meal is always commendable –
usually fantastic, occasionally not so much, but always edible, always fun, and
always messy.
So, now we are hitting the road in our cherished
little British Caravan. “Camping’”
means we have cable TV, WiFi Internet, a gas oven and stove, a small fridge and
a very small kitchen area, not to mention a BBQ and large outside prep area,
and most campgrounds have well-fitted communal kitchens with everything else
you could possibly need.
So, EVERY meal we have enjoyed in our sweet Bertha has
been stellar – I mean 5 star, exceptional, craving for more, darned good
food. Whether it has been simply
marinated steaks, lamb chops, or grilled salmon fillets… Just the best! And, while the BBQ’d treats have been awesome, the stuff we’ve
roasted in the communal kitchens’ ovens have been noteworthy, as well. Go figure?!
And, then there is the clean up. On the road, everything goes into the orange
‘sink bin’ and gets done when it’s convenient – tonight, in the morning or
whenever. But, there is never that
much… Our two plates, utensils, a
serving platter or two, maybe a pot from the potatoes or the rice cooker
bowl… Just never as much as from the
kitchen at home. A disposable wipe (I only use them when camping) and the
surfaces are sparkly again. Hmmm… makes
me wonder. Do we over-think or overdo
our ‘home’ meals and go more ‘simple’ on the road?
So, what makes food on the road taste SO good? Are we that much more relaxed? Is it simpler? Are we planning our meals
better? We are taking advantage of local
produce on the road, but we tend to do that at home, too. Or, are we just so
happy to be celebrating a stress free life?
So, what is that special ingredient that turns every
day food into the food of the Gods and makes it a memory to be treasured, no
matter how simple? Is it the spice of
life, the simplicity of being, the sharing of a meal with loved one(s)? Or, is it just knowing that the damned
dishes are going to be quick and easy!!?
