New to the community

[outerhabit]

Just wanted to say hello to everyone. We just hit our 2 month Vanniversary. We are vandwelling out of our 2003 ford e350. We have done some customizing and are trying to commit to cooking and eating out of the van more and less eating at restaurants. Any tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[WriterMs]

Welcome! You'll find tons of ideas here... from variations for what device to use to cook your food to recipes. There is a whole section of discussion threads on Food & Cooking!

I'm not much interested in actual cooking myself, so I had started a thread on things that a single person (with no refrigeration) can make easily. Gots lots of good advice. I suggest poking around the topics in that section and then ask questions for some great specific answers.

It may also help if you let folks know what you have already to cook on.. what types of food you most enjoy, etc.

And someone (or several) will soon be suggesting you post pics of your van.

Happy 2nd vanniversary!!

 

[lterry]

Yes, welcome! I still consider myself a newbie to the site, but I can welcome you anyway
And happy vanniversary too.

 

[cyndi]

Outerhabit, welcome to the CRVL forums! Moire specific questions, rather than tips and advice, will likely bring a better response. The forum is full of tips and advice, just keep reading!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard the CRVL forums outerhabit!

A lot (too many?) of my meals are in a can.
EX: A can of tiny shrimp and a burrito wrap , maybe throw in a few black olives!

And raw spinach works too. the canned stuff ,,,,NOT good in a wrap !
Lots of uses for those wraps !

 

[BradKW]

welcome!

I struggle with that too, but am doing better cooking for myself. My most successful dishes are ground beef or sausage based, adding either a Goya rice and beans, or a hamburger helper...and also chopping up whatever is around...peppers, onions, etc. I haven't had much luck with chicken based versions of these so far...just never comes out good enough that I am happy eating leftovers...

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to CRVL !  

I'll offer this so the Man of the Van can do some of the cooking out on the camp fire and the kitchenette
can be used for cooler processes like making the spoon victuals.

if you want to make food in batches that you can eat on for a day or three,  consider getting yourself one of
these campfire "Dutch Ovens" and if you have a cook top cabinet in your Van,  find a regular dutch oven in
a yard sale or flea market.  One of these in 6 qt size can do loads of cooking & baking for you in a short time.
When Thomas Jefferson interviewed Lewis & Clark when they returned from their famous expedition, he asked them what was the most valuable thing they could think of that they took along with them.  They both answered  President Jefferson agreeing that the Dutch Ovens were probably the most valuable asset that they
had.

Boy Scout Site for Dutch Oven Cooking  with loads of recipes, and a tutorial site.   A lot of the recipes
you will find here are "dump" recipes where you open cans, boxes, or bags and then stir, mix, heat and eat.


http://www.zion412.org/Library/DutchOvenCookbooks/Scout Dutch Oven Cookbook.pdf

[url=http://www.bsatroop780.org/skills/DutchOvenCareAndUse.html]http://www.bsatroop780.org/skills/DutchOvenCareAndUse.html[/url]

[url=http://www.bsatroop780.org/skills/DutchOvenCareAndUse.html][/url]

 

[akrvbob]

It really isn't very hard, I just use a single burner Coleman propane stove and two pots and a frying pan. That will open a whole world of options.

Then you may want to consider getting a cooler to eat fresh foods and store leftovers. I prefer to cook a fairly large amount of something and then eat it for leftovers for several days. That minimizes my cooking and cleaning.

If you have enough solar you could run a microwave which opens up another world of convenience foods.
Bob

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

I'm learning the things that can be cooked, as well, so will be reading up on the suggestions on here. Thanks guys for the tips!

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Hello and welcome!