Shopping List for Motorhome Food

[wildebus]

When we start using the Air Fryer we intend to take pretty much what we take now but will also include stuff like McCain Oven Chips, Aunt Bessies roast potatoes (in Duck fat), Aunt Bessies Yorkshire Puddings, small joints such as Brisket (which we will cook in the Remoska before turning the Air Fryer on) and a few frozen veg such as Sprouts and Carrots.

I just like the idea of having a full roast dinner in the van every now and then, and a small joint will make 2 or 3 meals for me as Julie is a vegetarian. As many have said before, the Air Fryer is a game changer.

Just remembered the Schwartz gravy mixes are supposed to be good as well according to reviews. (I spend a lot of time researching food we can cook in the van).

Oh, and when I say we...

I bought some mcCain frozen Baked Potatoes yesterday. They look handy as just take 5 minutes in the microwave

 

[Trotter]

All that’s been written before, equals true Van life.
2025
Get with it AGM lovers, leaning over your Primus stoves, supping Typhoo Qt from a chipped enamel mug. There’s a whole new world out there. Frozen mashed potatoes has replaced instant mash, Pot Noodle is no longer considered , high cuisine.
Lithium rule, okay

Tongue placed firmly in cheek

 

[nabsim]

What's with all the frozen veg? Can't beat fresh veg. Can understand a few fries but all the rest???

I will cook fresh veg every day for the dogs with chicken. Ok I store chicken in the freezer for the dogs so I can go a couple of weeks between shops but veg???

 

[campingfun]

Make a list based on a meal plan. Breakfast, list what you choose and multiply by days required.
Similar with lunches, similar with dinners. Add top-ups for drinks, oils, comdiments, flavourings etc. Add disposables like toilet rolls, kitchen roll etc.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

When I used to make beef casseroles, I would sometimes vacuum seal the remains and reheat as a 'boil-in-the-bag' meal.

I do that, I got some Mylomar bags from Ebay to put my version of Tims Spud curry, seriously nice, not allowed it now

 

[wildebus]

What's with all the frozen veg? Can't beat fresh veg. Can understand a few fries but all the rest???

I will cook fresh veg every day for the dogs with chicken. Ok I store chicken in the freezer for the dogs so I can go a couple of weeks between shops but veg???

A lot of Frozen veg is actually fresher than the 'Fresh' veg that you can buy in many shops unless you happen to be near 'proper' greengrocers. And remains Fresh whilst frozen better then the veg kept in the fridge.
Similarly with tinned veg.
Although I would say some vegetables are best stored in a way specific to them. Frozen sprouts taste as good as the fresh ones, but a tinned sprout is absolutely vile! Carrots are best fresh, but the tinned ones are handy and ok in a stew, but Frozen carrots are rarely close to the taste.

 

[Peter51]

Whenever I get food ready for a trip away, I end up with a silly amount of stuff and bring most of it back with me!
I think my problem is I like to give myself lots of options of what to eat even though I know won't bother with most of them

Do people have a strict shopping list of what they take away on a trip? (BTW, I am thinking of the kind of trips where you are wild camping, not really near shops or resturants and so what you are going to eat is what you have brought in the van with you).

Me too and I have no room in my van now!!

 

[andromeda]

I remember when clearing out my mums kitchen after she went into a care home place and found a can of Pepsi under the sink with a sell by date around 10 years earlier.
Decided to try it out of interest ... gawd it was disgusting! Thinking on, tasted just the same as a new can of Pepsi ...

Same. When Mother in Law died in 97 we found tins 40plus years old

 

[andromeda]

All that’s been written before, equals true Van life.
2025
Get with it AGM lovers, leaning over your Primus stoves, supping Typhoo Qt from a chipped enamel mug. There’s a whole new world out there. Frozen mashed potatoes has replaced instant mash, Pot Noodle is no longer considered , high cuisine.
Lithium rule, okay

Tongue placed firmly in cheek

Smash is still disgusting. Idahoan dried is more than palatabke mixed with a dot of butter added

 

[andromeda]

I start with good intentions by cooking ahead and freezing in flat packs to go in the fridge. Usually 2 days worth of that then it's raid ny cupboards.
Once tried meal planning with extra junk treats for Grandkids when we were in New Forest but not near any shops. Some family unexspectedly joined us with a tent. Only brought breakfast. Then my daughters Father in law plus partner. Mortified I couldn't even give a decent sandwich I've had too much food in the van ever since

 

[Undertaker]

We used to carry loads of food, which was rather handy when overnighting at my daughters who has taken just in time delivery to the extreme. We saved the day numerous times and were known as the mobile shop! We have cut back now and that's down to planning meals in advance (not everyone's cup of tea I know but works for us) We leave a few gaps in the meal planner for impromptu dining out and if that doesn't happen we fall back on tinned / dried stuff.

 

[Robmac]

What's with all the frozen veg? Can't beat fresh veg. Can understand a few fries but all the rest???

I will cook fresh veg every day for the dogs with chicken. Ok I store chicken in the freezer for the dogs so I can go a couple of weeks between shops but veg???

I meant veg cooked and frozen at home Neil just for convenience reheating in the microwave.

 

[Devadave]

Lots of 2 litre bottles of Vimto(no added sugar version) Joanne has to drink lots of fluids every day and it's easier if it's got vimto in it
Last trip we found a grenadine flavor juice( zero sucre )that was a winner.
CoffeeMate..... never been able to find an alternative in France or Spain. Me, I like the long life milk in my coffee ️

 

[nabsim]

I meant veg cooked and frozen at home Neil just for convenience reheating in the microwave.

You know I wouldn't try to wind anyone up Rob, (koff, koff) you can all eat what you want

 

[Trotter]

You know I wouldn't try to wind anyone up Rob, (koff, koff) you can all eat what you want

Magnanimous to a fault

 

[Geek]

We eat the same in the van as at home, except that we buy ground coffee (not beans) for the van, because the hand grinder is too much like hard work.
Although the van has a microwave and the house doesn't, we very rarely use a microwave. It's mostly used as a fan oven

 

[wildebus]

Lots of 2 litre bottles of Vimto(no added sugar version) Joanne has to drink lots of fluids every day and it's easier if it's got vimto in it
Last trip we found a grenadine flavor juice( zero sucre )that was a winner.
CoffeeMate..... never been able to find an alternative in France or Spain. Me, I like the long life milk in my coffee ️

I don't like drinking plain water either. Something I have started using a lot is a Sodastream machine. get whatever concentrates you like and as long as you have water, you can make some ncie fizzy drinks I currently like the 'Classic Orange' (like Fanta) and the Passionfruit - both 0% sugar.

Have you tried Carnation Evaporated milk in your coffee? If you like Coffemate you may well like Carnation
(The favourite drink we had in the 70's in Germany was 'Englischer Tee mit Dosenmilch' - English Tea (the Germans don't really do tea) with Tinned Milk i.e. Carnation. One of my uncles used to go back to Germany with his suitcase full of teabags )

 

[nabsim]

I use evaporated milk or double cream if I can't get coffee mate but not the same thing.

I also keep a bottle of Aldi summer fruits cordial and do a weak mix rather than plain water

 

[BunnyB]

Bread rolls, eggs, bacon, burgers, salad, mainly lettuce onion, carrots (grated) coleslaw, easy to take is ham and pate.tinned potatoes, peas, salmon and sardines. I don't eat breakfast but the eggs suffice, if any room left in the freezer I add chicken to go with macaroni and pasta sauce. Yummy.

 

[Boggie]

I tend to buy tinned things like chunky soup, baked beans, tinned spuds and tinned curries but always have plenty of salad, bacon, eggs and sausages a nice quiche to go with the salad or tinned mackerel in a spicy tomato sauce

My wife won't eat pasta or rice and cannot eat too many beans (gas) so she has basic food which I cook while I am usually a bit more Mediterranean with my cooking for me.