Category: Menu Planning & Cooking
A Little Aeration for The Great Outdoors
December 12, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 2 Comments
Once you have parked the RV or set up your tent for the night, do you like to sit down and indulge in a great dinner and nice glass of red wine? If so, then you might be interested in the new Vinturi Travel Aerator. Like its big sibling, The Original Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator, the travel aerator is designed to enhance the bouquet and aroma of the red wine at hand. The benefit for RVers and campers, however, is that the new product comes with its own swivel case and is remarkably compact in size. We own and use the original aerator, but when we received a sample of the new Vinturi Travel we were immediately impressed with the design and the compact size. In essence, the aerator will easily fit in our compact travel trailer kitchen and will take up less space than a can opener or a corkscrew. I think this is a great way to add some elegance to a delightful evening in the great outdoors. How many times have you been traveling to and camping in a remote location and found yourself... [Read more...]
Patti’s Saga of an RV Rookie: Christmas Eve Salad, Tlaquepaque style…
November 28, 2011 by Patti F. · 2 Comments
Mexico is enduring its share of challenges; the border conflicts are terrible , and it may seem at times as if the bad guys are winning down there. I pray this all changes, for I love Mexico. I have been there over 25 times, mostly alone, always safe, always cared for, always adopted by the people (I once toured the mainland with my parents in a huge Class C: it almost spelled the death of familial love but that’s for another blog). While I can’t fix Mexico’s problems (or our own country’s, for that matter), I can tell you about a Christmas salad I had in Tlaquepaque, Mexico, and why I loved it even though it was nowhere near Christmas, as in June. First, you have to be able to say Tlaquepaque. Work with me people: Tah- lah -kay -pah kay. See, wasn’t that easy? Tlaquepaque is a little artists’ enclave about 10 kilometers from Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara. It has a cool “vibe” and a wonderful market-style center with a Spanish colonial feel: we’re... [Read more...]
It Doesn’t Get Much Better than This
November 14, 2011 by Professor95 · 2 Comments
This has been an absolutely fabulous camping week! We left Virginia last Sunday (November 6th) and meandered down I-95 and 301 into North Carolina, crossed the border into South Carolina just outside of Tabor City, and parked the RV at Willow Tree RV Resort in Longs, SC. Longs is relatively close to Myrtle Beach – by close I mean you can drive there in 20 minutes or so but it is still far enough away that you can enjoy a low traffic, relaxed atmosphere. The off-season rates at Willow Tree are extremely reasonable and the beauty of the turning trees, reflections on the 40 acre lake, Swans and Canada Geese swimming gracefully across the water, warm daytime temperatures and the fellowship of friends belonging to the Cedar Creek RV Owner’s Club all come together to make everything feel perfect. We were part of about 30 Cedar Creek RV owners assembled at Willow Tree for our end-of-season annual rally. This is a great group of folks with Christian values and fellowship dedicated... [Read more...]
Patti’s Saga of an RV Rookie: Montana’s Soup Nazi: If you hate spicy curry, stop reading and look for a recipe that features pablum.
November 3, 2011 by Patti F. · 5 Comments
Did you see the Seinfeld episode about the Soup Nazi? It was about some maniac nut who made the best soup in Manhattan. They mentioned Mulligatawny stew (soup) in that episode, but I didn’t know what it was until last week (some of us are late bloomers). Nor did I know it is so terrific! I tasted my first Mulligatawny, made by a friend of mine recently returned from India. It won’t be my last. I loved it! Mulligatawny looks like our Montana autumn and heats like the wood stoves firing up around here. Recipe for Indian Mulligatawny ( as stolen from my buddy): Prep Time: about ten minutes or less Cook Time: 20 minutes or less. Servings: 6-8 Ingredients • 1 whole chicken breast, cut into little pieces • Salt And pepper To Taste • 4 Tablespoons butter • 1 whole onion, diced. • 3 cloves minced garlic. • 1/4 cup All-purpose flour • 1 Tablespoon curry powder (or less, if you’re heat sensitive. I add more!) • 32 ounces, fluid chicken broth • 2 cups half-and-half • 1... [Read more...]
A Compact Efficient Dish Drying Mat For Camping
September 21, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 1 Comment
If you cook when you are camping, then you most likely begrudge washing and drying those dishes. I know that I do. I often find it a hassle to dry the dishes and then deal with the damp kitchen towels. Getting those kitchen towels to dry here in the maritime Pacific Northwest can be a challenge on a cold rainy day by the Pacific Ocean! Well, just this weekend, I discovered a lightweight, compact, and affordable drying mat that seems to fit the bill for campground cookery. I purchased one on Saturday night and have been using it in my home kitchen, but I now intend to get one for my camper. The Dish Drying Mat is made from absorbent microfiber and easily folds for storage. It is cushiony, absorbent, and fast drying. And, it is machine washable in cold water. I haven’t washed mine yet, but I have found that the mat is priceless for drying pots, pans, knives, wine glasses, and miscellaneous kitchen items. The mat absorbs the water beautifully and thereby minimizes the use of kitchen... [Read more...]
Practical Glassware For Camping
August 29, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
Do you have a favorite type of wine or pilsner glass for camping? If not, then check out the non breakable portable wine and spirit glasses from GSI. The collection features stemless wine glasses, nesting wine glasses, pilsner glasses, and others. All of the products are BPA-free and are made to survive rough and tumble service for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Of course, they don’t have the same luxurious feels of other wine glasses, but they get the job done and are easily stashed in a camper cupboard or a loaded backpack. We have had a set of the nesting wine glasses in our camper for many years. They’ve endured bumpy trips throughout Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, up to Denali National Park, and down the Alaska Canada Highway through Yukon Territory and British Columbia. They store beautifully and are easy to clean. Basically, they are a simple item that can add a little bit of luxury to an outdoor excursion. –Melissa A. Trainer
Consider The Lodge Cast Iron Biscuit Pan!
August 27, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · 3 Comments
We have a vast collection of cast iron cookware. We find it priceless for campground cookery. We have multiple Dutch ovens, an array of skillets, basic griddles, and a biscuit pan. I have purchased many of these items at thrift stores and garage sales over the years. Last year, right before we left for our family camping trip to Yellowstone National Park, I found a Lodge cast iron biscuit pan at the thrift store. I think I paid about $3 for it. While we were camping at the Madison Campground in Yellowstone, I spontaneously decided to use the pan for some mini pizzas. I had some Pillsbury biscuit dough that I separated into layers and placed in the greased pan. I then added some tomato sauce and cheese and placed the pan on the grill rack over a moderate campfire. I don’t recall how long they cooked, but I do remember that they were fabulous–smokey with a nicely browned bottom. My children loved them and they were a wonderfully simple snack food to serve around the campfire... [Read more...]
Clamming on The Oregon Coast with Kids
August 17, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
Have you taken your children clamming, fishing, or foraging lately? If not, seriously consider it on your next camping trip. It can be delightfully and deliciously rewarding. Ever since our children were little, we have taken them fishing, foraging, and exploring. They still love poking through tide pools at low tide. And, the thrill of catching a wild salmon never seems to subside. Last spring, my husband took our two sons down to the Oregon Coast for spring break. While staying with friends at a beachfront cottage, it occurred to the boys that clams might lurk on the beach below. Indeed, there were lots of clams. Hence, a spontaneous clamming adventure evolved that week. I reaped the rewards when my husband brought home some clam chowder, cooked clam meat, and a baggie full of empty clam shells. I was so excited by their adventure that I wrote an article about it for The Oregonian’s FOODday section. Published in May, it is a comprehensive article that gives links, tips,... [Read more...]
Patti’s Saga of an RV Rookie: Idiot Proof, Healthy, Easy, Summer Crock Pot Stew
July 31, 2011 by Patti F. · Leave a Comment
It’s summer in northwest Montana. Harmony and Understanding converge at exactly this point come July and August. Read more about Montana campgrounds and things to do in Montana. Yesterday, we left for Glacier Park (a mere 35 minute drive) and came home to a healthy, hot meal that had cooked outdoors in the crock pot during our Park adventures. I had thrown the recipe together in literally ten minutes, but it tasted way better than that. I love my crock pot bubbling away on a table outside the RV. Thank the Lord for shore power! The RV stays cool inside because the cooking action is outside. Last week I cooked an awesome turkey breast in the crock pot outdoors. Many moons ago I submitted a blog about how to cook a great turkey breast in a crock pot. You might check that out. Note: I have since discovered the turkey breast needs to actually fit in the crock pot, so you may want to assess that more carefully than I did at point of purchase! I had criteria for the crockpot recipe: 1) Ingredients... [Read more...]
All About Food–Cool Summer Salad
July 10, 2011 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
The last entry in my unofficial series “All About Food” on my favorite summer meals is a favorite and incredibly flexible summer salad. In my recipe book at home, I simply call this a “Basic Bean and Grain Salad.” It is made with a few staples and whatever you happen to have on hand, so it can be a good choice for a last minute meal or when you have no idea what to make. The basis of the salad is simply 2 cups of any kind of canned beans (which is simply one 15-16 oz can) and 2 cups of any cooked grain. What you add to this are simply veggies and extras you have on hand, perhaps those that will spoil if not used soon or just something you happen to have available, and your dressing. The dressing can be either 1/3 cup of your favorite (homemade or store-bought) vinaigrette or the recipe that follows. Thus, the actual recipe looks like this: 2 cups canned beans, drained (white, black, pinto, chickpeas, kidney, black-eyed peas, northern, etc.) 2 cups cooked grain (white... [Read more...]
