This Omnia blackberry cake is ideal for using up foraged blackberries. The classic blackberry is an easy fruit to forage, easily recognisable and plentiful. We foraged these on one of our van adventures, and decided to use them in a cake for Van Bake Off. This can be enjoyed with icing on the top, cream or blackberry coulis. We enjoyed some with custard too!
Blackberry Omnia Cake
Vegetarian
This Omnia Cake is great for using up foraged blackberries. You can add icing, make your own coulis or even serve with cream or custard!
The time has come for Van Bake off 2021! It’s that time of the year again, the dark nights are becoming longer, and the temperatures are dropping. Sounds like a perfect excuse to eat baked goods and get put on a few extra pounds. So join in with Van Bake off 2021 – we look forward to seeing your bakes!
What is Van Bake off?
The Great British Bake off is a show on Channel 4 in the UK. It features bakers competing against each other to bake the best cakes, biscuits, pastry and bread. If you haven’t seen it before, be prepared, you will be hungry afterwards!
We have teamed up with the lovely ladies at Brown Bird and Company as we did last year to judge van bake off. Each week we will copy the theme from bake off the week previously. Last year we saw cake week, biscuit week, bread week and even a Japanese week. You can see last years entries and winning recipes here or on our Instagram Highlights here.
Why enter Van Bake off 2021?
Van bake off 2021 is a great way to show off your cooking and baking skills! Each week a star baker will be selected. They will receive a Vanlife Eats sticker and will have their recipe featured on our website. At the end of Van Bake off an overall winner will be selected. The lucky winner will receive either an Omnia Oven or £50 towards items from the Brown Bird Store (This is limited to UK Mainland only).
How to enter Van Bake off 2021
Vanlife Eats alongside Brown Bird and Company will judge the creation, based on the presentation, the suitability of campervan baking and also how in theme the bake is. Each week a winner will be chosen as STAR BAKER, their recipe will get featured on this very site! Each star baker is then in with a chance of winning an Omnia Stove top oven or accessories courtesy of Brown Bird and Company.
To enter, bake an item that fits with that weeks theme, you can find out the current theme on our Instagram or Facebook. Upload your photo and tag us & Brown Bird and/or use #vanbakeoff.
For example, week one is cake week so you would bake a cake of your choosing using vanlife kitchen style equipment. We appreciate not everyone lives full time in their vans so it’s ok to cook out of your van, but please keep in mind the suitability of the recipe being baked in a van.
Photos must be uploaded by Monday afternoon (UK time) and a winner will be selected and announced on Monday evenings. This competition is open to the UK mainland only. Each winner will only be contacted by our Instagram account, we have no other accounts and we will not ask for any card or bank information. Stay safe!
Van Bake off – Cake Week
So week 1 in Van Bake off is Cake week! In the show they made a swiss roll, a malt loaf and an anti-gravity showstopper. Let’s see what our van bakers made…
@maxineoutdoors
@fablabnomads
@great_big_exploring_old_hector
@the.vandersons
Winner of Van Bake off Week One
This week’s star baker went to Lesley of @stillyoungatart for her beautiful heart shaped cake for her husband Richard. One of the things we love about food here at Vanlife Eats is the power food has at bringing people together, and showing how much you love someone. Just like this cake! If you would like to replicate this is your van, then be sure to click on the recipe here.
We decided to make the most of some blackberries we foraged on our recent trip away to the Cotswolds – You can see what else we got up to here! So we decided to add them to a basic sponge recipe to make a delicious Blackberry cake.
If you want to try this recipe yourself, you can click here. This can be cooked in a conventional oven also, if you don’t yet have an Omnia then you need to enter Van Bake off to be in with a chance of winning one!
Van Bake off – Biscuit week
So week 2 in Great British Bake off and Van Bake off is biscuit week! On the show we saw them create some impressive brandy snaps, jam-filled biscuits and a biscuit replica of a favourite childhood toy – 3D too obviously! We were excited to see what our van bakers came up with. They didn’t disappoint.
@stillyoungatart
@brownbirdandcompany
@forkintheroadbex
@great_big_exploring_old_hector
Winner of Van Bake off week 2
The winner of this week’s van bake off had to go to @vanvistas. They managed to replicate Brandy snaps – in their Omnia oven. A feat neither us or Brown Bird were willing to take on. Recipe coming soon….
We decided to keep it simple for biscuit week, a week we always dread in van bake off – as it means batches and batches in our Omnia Oven. We made these delicious 3 ingredient nutella cookies.
Van Bake Off – Bread week
Week three on The Great British Bake off saw the contestants baking focaccia, ciabatta sticks and a milk bread display.
Here is week one’s star Baker of van bake off. Week one was cake week and Lesley of @stillyoungatart made this gorgeous looking victoria sponge for husband Richard. She chose to use a traditional raspberry jam as filling and even included some fresh strawberries.
You can cover in icing sugar to keep with tradition, or add whipped cream and grated chocolate for extra indulgence.
Show the one you love just how much you love them with a heart shaped cake. This recipe is a victoria Sponge recipe, but uses less sugar than a standard sponge.
If it's a bit thick add a drop of milk to give the consistency of batter
Pour into 1 or 2 sandwich tins. Bake at 170 -180°C for 20 mins or until a skewer comes out clean once inserted into the centre
Turn onto a wire rack to cool. If baked in 1 piece cut into half (either way is fine to give 1/2 a deep cake or a full shallow cake)
Once cooled spread one 1/2 with jam (raspberry is traditional) and the other 1/2 with whipped double cream
I also added a layer of strawberries to the jam. The top is usually sprinkled with icing sugar but we didn't have any so I topped it with more whipped cream then finely grated some chocolate on top
Join the organic movement and support local organic farmers while enjoying tasty meals. In this post, we celebrate Organic September by going over what organic means, why you should shop organic and five tips to help you on your journey after this Organic Month.
Check out our recipes tab for inspiration of van-friendly meals you can make with fresh organic produce in a tiny van kitchen or using an outdoor cooker. We are constantly adding new meals to our Vanlife Eats recipe database, so there are always plenty of meal ideas to choose from when you are planning a trip away.
We realise that funds and resources may be limited when on a van life adventure, but there are many reasons why consuming organic products are better for your health and the enviroment.
What is Organic Month?
Organic Month, aka Organic September! The Soil Association has dedicated September to championing the benefits of organic foods and sustainable farming without pesticides for farming that is better for our health, local wildlife and the planet.Â
So as September ends join us and begin to shop more organically when you travel on the road in your van and make some easy swaps to reduce your environmental impact with nature-friendly foods every month – let’s not limit it to one!
What Exactly Does ‘Organic’ Mean?
The term organic when referring to crop production is farming using methods that consider the whole ecosystem. This means that farmers must consider how their farming impacts the soil, ecosystems, wildlife, water sources and the people who live near the farm or consume the foods. For a farm to certify as organic, the government must inspect it annually. In order to pass inspection, this is what the farms must consider:
Using fewer or no pesticides. Pesticides are chemicals applied to crops to eliminate pests such as insects that eat the crops or weeds and fungus, which can kill the plants. Organic farming uses natural means of protecting the crops and encourages biodiversity rather than punishing it with chemicals.
Using no synthetic fertilisers and instead focus on using natural products, such as animal manure and compost.
Avoid using antibiotics for animals.
Typically GMO-free.
Why You Should Swap To Organic Produce
Better for the Planet
Organic farming reduces the impact of agriculture on local ecosystems as it uses fewer chemicals in the soil and does not leach harmful substances into the water supplies.
Better for Wildlife
Decreasing pesticide dependence can help preserve wildlife populations and sustain (and hopefully increase) local biodiversity.
Better for the People
Pesticides can also be harmful to humans to ingest, and there is also a risk of antibiotic resistance.
5 Top Tips Choosing Organic Goods When Travelling In Your Van
Some tips about supporting the organic farming movement may suggest growing food at home, in an allotment or in communal gardens. However, living and travelling in a van makes it challenging to implement these ideas, so we have come up with five easy ways you can get involved in Organic September and in the future.
Choose Organic Fresh Produce
Of course, the most obvious way to help the organic movement is to vote with your pennies and purchase organically grown foods. Make conscious choices to choose organic varieties of your favourite fruits and vegetables at supermarkets or, better yet, find organic farmers markets and support local sellers and independent shops.
When you are on the road, look out for the word ‘organic’ on packaging, check the UK-origin produce number – it should say GB-ORG-XX when the food is certified organic – or look out for the EU organic logo, which is a green symbol with stars in a leaf shape.
Volunteer at an Organic Farm
The beauty of travelling in a van is that you can choose a destination where you can volunteer. This is a great way to support farmers, meet new people who share your values and learn about the importance of organic farming.
Use WWOOF UK to connect with almost 400 organic farms all over the country and lend a hand along your trip. They have also partnered with 132 countries worldwide, so you can find communities living sustainably on organic farms almost anywhere you plan to travel.
Do your research about the area you are travelling to or any stops along the way and pinpoint any places using certified organic produce on their menus. The Soil Association has several examples, or you could search on Google or using social media hashtags to find places on your route.Â
Eat Seasonally
Eating seasonally is another way you can reduce the environmental impact of your food as the food is likely to have been grown more locally, use less packaging in transportation, and use less water. Not only this but eating foods in season actually taste better and may even contain more nutrients as the flavours are able to develop when picked at peak times of the harvest.
Check out the HUBBUB guide to eating seasonally for more information about what foods are in seasons locally to you or where you are travelling.Â
Shop for Sustainable Beauty and Cosmetics
If you have nailed shopping for organic food, how about considering your beauty, cosmetic products, or even cleaning supplies? Just like you can avoid the overuse of pesticides and contribute to farming practices that harm wildlife when you shop for organic food, you can avoid products that use harsh chemicals and test on animals. Instead, you could opt to make your own products or take a peek at the Soil Association’s cheat sheet to find beauty and wellbeing products.Â
Summary
Happy Organic September van lifers and travel enthusiasts!
Hopefully, you have gained some new knowledge about what it means to be organic and how to support organic farming and sustainably grown food.
Let us know your favourite way to shop organic on the road or if you have had any experience volunteering at an organic farm. We would love to share your experiences on @Vanlife_Eats on Instagram.Â
Choosing appropriate food and snacks to bring with you on a hike will help you maintain energy and keep you enjoying your day out. If you don’t bring the right type of food, you could find yourself burnt out with a few miles still to go. The best hiking food is lightweight, nutritious, and full of calories to keep you energized. This post will take you through the best hiking snacks and give you some ideas for lunch.
Have a plan
To provision for your day hike, you need to plan where you will be hiking. You need to know how long it will take and how much you are going to be ascending or descending. This will directly affect how many calories you burn. If you are planning a big day out with long miles and lots of ascent, be sure to pack a few extra snacks. It can also be useful to know what the weather is going to be like so you can plan how much water to bring, and what layers to pack.
Planning for a day hike can be done in several ways. Use maps, like OS maps, to scope out trails and what the terrain may be like. There are also a few great mapping apps like Alltrails and Viewranger. With these you can plot your course for the day to find out how far your hike will be. With your plan established it’s time to choose, and pack, some food for your day hike.
Park your van safely
You’ll likely be gone for a good few hours, if not the whole entire day so make sure you have parked somewhere safe such as a public car park with CCTV.
If you park your van in a remote and secluded spot your risk a break in.
What are the best snacks for a day hike?
Choosing the best snacks for a hike is important. It could be the make or break of your walk. They will give you the extra boost to push you further up the hill or get you further along the trail.
Its also vital to keep your brain stimulated and to increase your awareness of your surroundings and actions. Choosing the right snack will help keep your wits about you.
The best hiking snack should be:
Nutritious: High in carbohydrate, protein, fibre and electrolytes.
Minimal cooking required: Snacks should be food on the go
Lightweight: Keep your snacks light in weight and easy to carry in your bag
Filling: Slow release energy will help avoid any crash and burnouts
Bring a little extra: You never know when you might need a snack whilst hiking
While it can be tempting to fill your backpack with an assortment of gummies and sweets, this isn’t the wisest choice. Sweets are a great boost to energy, but they provide this over a short period of time. If you are planning to spend 8 hours in the mountains, you need slow-release calorie dense hiking snacks.
It’s also important to get the right balance between savoury and sweet snacks. If you only pack sweet treats you will soon have cravings for salty food, and vice versa. Try to pack an even split of sweet and savoury so that you can satisfy your appetite.
Here are some of the best hiking snacks to help maintain your energy while on the trail.
Fruit and nut mix. Also known as trail mix, this really should be your go to hiking snack. Nuts are loaded with healthy fats to give you slow-release energy. While fruit, like raisins, dried mango and banana chips are full of natural sugar to give you a quick kick of energy.
Jerky or other dried meats. Savoury, salty hiking snacks are just as important as sweet ones. As you sweat you will lose salts and electrolytes, savoury snacks like beef jerky can help replenish these.
Cheese and crackers. This is a great snack because it is a little more filling. Pre-slice some chunks of your favourite cheese to lay over some crackers. Store this all together in a small Tupperware box in your backpack.
Homemade flapjacks. Flapjacks are packed with oats, which is arguably the king of slow-release energy. These also take up virtually no space for the amount of calorie punch they pack. Flapjacks are another top shelf hiking snack.
Snack bars. There are so many different types of snack bars around these days, there is bound to be something you like. Take a trip to the supermarket and pick out two or three to pack into your bag.
What type of food should I bring for lunch while hiking?
During a day hike you won’t typically want to cook anything for lunch. It’s better to have something pre-prepared that you can bring in your backpack. Your lunch choice should consist of a good portion of carbohydrates. This will provide that oh so important release of energy. The best carbs are pasta, rice, wraps or bread. These are all great when cold which means you can prepare something the night before.
You also want to include a form of protein for your lunch. Protein is a macro-nutrient that helps build and repair muscle and as your muscles will be under a lot of strain whilst hiking, you might want to give them some attention.
For vegetarians or vegans, chickpeas, beans, spinach, nuts, and lentils are all great choices. These can be combined with one of the carbohydrates above, and some sort of dressing or sauce for flavour. For meat eaters it’s best to prepare something the night before and eat it cold on the day. Chicken is one of the better choices as it can be adapted to different flavours to suit any dish.
There really are a ton of great options for lunch while hiking, your imagination is the limit. Here are three ideas for lunch on your next day hike.
The classic sandwich. The age-old classic sandwich is a viable hiking lunch. However, avoid using thin white bread with drab toppings like cheese slices. Pick out a more filling sourdough or wholewheat loaf and fill it with delectable toppings. Salami, turkey slices, halloumi, pesto, nut butters and humous are all great ideas to stuff into your sandwich.
Pasta salad. This is a personal favourite. Pasta is a great choice for lunch on a hike because it is delicious even when cold. Stay away from egg-based products like mayonnaise as they don’t keep well out of the fridge, instead use a dressing or vinaigrette. Pasta salad can be loaded with fresh veggies for a healthy and filling lunch on the trail.
Chicken or veggie wraps. Wraps are fantastic because they are hard to squash. This means if they end up at the bottom of your backpack, or get sat on, they won’t be ruined. Sliced chicken can add protein to your lunch, or you can stick with a fresh veggie wrap.
Pre-hike meal
Something that is often overlooked is what you consume before you set out on your hike. Loading with carbohydrates will help ensure you have energy for the day ahead. A big breakfast, like pancakes with fresh fruit, will set you up for your adventures.
Complex carbs, high protein and fibrous foods are the best nutrition for a pre hike meal for the slow release of energy throughout the follow hours. Whole foods such as wholemeal bread, nuts, berries and Greek yogurt will give you a long release of energy to keep you energised on your hike.
While you are eating make sure to get hydrated as well. Try to drink a litre of water before you even start hiking.
Hopefully this post has given you some ideas for hiking meals, and what type of food to bring with you on a day hike. Let us know what your favourite hiking snacks and lunches are!
Bonus tip
There is little better than a hearty cooked meal after a long day of hiking. The trouble is you are exhausted and don’t want to cook anything!
We can’t recommend enough the Wonderbag for times like this. Throw together a stew style meal before you head off, place it in the wonderbag and when you get back from your hike you have a delicious slow cooked meal ready to warm you up.
September is ‘mushroom month’ so why not experiment with new varieties of mushrooms and expand your palate with these recipes using mushrooms. You might even wish to grow your own mushrooms at home and incorporate them into a delicious recipe.
What is Mushroom Month?
Mushroom month was organised to raise awareness for these incredible fungi and their uses. Not only can we enjoy the taste and texture of mushrooms in many foods but they also offer health benefits when eaten. Most mushrooms are high in vitamin D, which can aid calcium uptake and improve bone density.
Mushrooms are also used for their ability to dye materials, clothing or wool, and their medicinal purposes. They have even been known to extract harmful radiation from the soil.
Grow Your Own Mushrooms
An excellent way to celebrate mushroom month is to experiment growing your own fungi at home. Although you might think you need a garden to grow your own mushrooms, you can use a ready-to-grow home kit that is small enough to fit in your van.
Merryhill Mushrooms offer kits to grow chestnut mushrooms, white mushrooms, shiitakes and beautiful yellow or pink oyster mushrooms from home. These kits make a great gift idea for yourself or a loved one.
All you need to do is add water and watch your small batch of mushrooms grow right before your eyes! If you are lucky enough to have a fridge on board your campervan you can also keep your box chilled for many weeks to give you ample chance to utilise your homemade mushrooms.
Featured Mushroom – Giant Puffball
The puffball mushrooms are one of the safest mushrooms to forage as they are easily identifiable. Giant puffballs can only really be mistaken for a football!
Puffball mushrooms are in season at the end of the summer into early autumn and are edible from young.
Looking at a Giant Puffball you’ll see that these mushrooms could be a meal in itself. This year (2021) there has been multiple posts on social media of people finding massive giant puffball mushrooms so keep an eye out on your adventures for these humongous beauties!
Of course, we had to start this list off with a double mushroom recipe that is perfect for autumn. This mushroom pie uses shiitake and chestnut mushrooms, along with other simple ingredients such as onion, tomato, ale and ready to roll pastry to make a vegan pie you can whip up in just 10 minutes. Then cook in an Omnia Oven on the stove top and serve with creamy mashed potato, gravy and veggies.
Drown your meat feast with this thyme and mushroom peppercorn sauce that you can make in just 5 minutes. The sauce is rich and balances several flavours, including fresh herbs, garlic, cream and lemon, for a winning sauce to compliment any meat dish.
Woah! Before you skip this recipe for sounding too fancy, would it surprise you to know that it’s a very straightforward recipe to recreate at home in your van? The truffle flavour comes from truffle salt, rather than the fresh fungi, which is an easy seasoning to keep in your van kitchen cupboard and add into any recipe.
You can also add this truffle seasoning on vegetables, risotto, meat and even popcorn! Once you purchase a dried truffle salt, it can last for months.
Risotto is a great recipe for after a long day. It’s filling, hearty and easy to prepare. Of course, you do have to nurture your dish by continuously stirring the rice to reach a thick and creamy sauce, but it’s simple enough that anyone can make this recipe. Plus, you can have a great excuse to open a bottle of white wine mid-week!
Swap out the chicken for butternut squash or pumpkin and use vegetable stock to make this risotto recipe vegetarian friendly.
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food, this mushroom stroganoff served with pasta or rice and a sprinkle of parmesan is your best bet. Plus, as this recipe uses tinned mushrooms rather than fresh, it can be a lot more affordable and a great recipe to make when you struggle to find a supermarket.
Another comfort food we love is this chilli, as it is entirely vegan! And gluten-free when you swap out the soy sauce for tamari or another gluten-free alternative. The flavours in this bean chill will have you drooling over the stove, waiting for this pot to be ready. This is a great meal to make when entertaining guests as you can bulk it out with cheap ingredients such as beans and tomatoes and serve with rice, avocado, salsa and sour cream (or soy yoghurt for a vegan alternative).
Frittatas are among the easiest, cheapest, and most protein-packed meals you can make on the road. You need about 2-3 eggs per portion, and then you can customise the frittata to any vegetables, mushrooms, meat or cheese you need to eat up. You can even add some sriracha sauce to (quite literally!) spice things up.
Not only is chicken broth ramen excellent for when you feel you may be coming down with the flu, but it’s a delicious, warming winter dish to cosy up in bed with after a chilli day. This ramen is a no-fuss recipe for this Asian dish with incredible flavours.
It is also high in protein from the egg and chicken. Simply swap the chicken broth to vegetable stock and use tofu instead of chicken things for a vegetarian alternative that is equally packed with flavour.
Van pan pizza is a great option when entertaining guests or cooking for small children because you can add toppings and customise your pizza to your taste buds. Add cheese, mushrooms, meats and more. This recipe on our website is for the base to get creative with the additional extras. You could even swap out the tomato base for pesto!
Happy Mushroom Month!
Wishing you a happy mushroom month, and we hope this post has inspired you to try a new recipe with mushrooms this September. And, don’t forget to tag us in your mushroom recipes on Instagram @Vanlife_Eats so we can share your creations to our story and inspire other people to try your recipes.
*Please do NOT pick wild mushrooms without professional guidance, as some may have adverse health effects.
This steamed dorada cooked in a pepper and ginger sauce is a great meal for any campervan. The dorada fish is part of the bream family and any white fish can be used. A great simple dish full of flavour!
Make sure to read our article on ventilating your campervan if you want to ensure there are no fishy smells left after cooking!
Easy, pretty and tasty fish dish. Steamed whole fish is very popular in Asia, almost as popular as deep fried version of it. It can be Pomfret, Tilapia, Dorada or any other small to medium size fish. Dorada is my favourite because of its nice firm flesh and absence of small bones.
5 from 1 vote
10 Ingredients or less – 30 minute meal – Stove top meal
Delicious recipe of cauliflower and spinach dahl with homamade naan bread is ideal for the colder nights setting in. Warming, delicious, vegan and gluten free. All you need is 2 pans! This makes it a great campervan recipe, and ideal for those who have been out exploring all day. This dahl & naan bread recipe can be made on a hob or even an open fire. Recipe from Jen @spirit_wren
Cauliflower and Spinach Dahl with homemade naans
spirit_wren
Vegan, Vegetarian
This dish is such a warming one for these cooler nights and such a fresh taste. The Naans are gluten free but don’t have to be made that way.
It’s vegan and gluten free.
This quick pasta dish has such a lovely fresh taste, is really quick to do with minimal ingredients, but ALL the taste. I used gluten free pasta, to make the dish GF.
5 from 1 vote
10 Ingredients or less – 30 minute meal – Stove top meal
Two pans. One for boiling spaghetti, frying pan or shallow pan for sauce.
Ingredients
200gCherry Tomatoes
1Lemon (juice and zest)
2servings of Spaghetti
100gCapersplus the water from the jar
1onionpeeled and finely chopped
2clovesof Garlic peeled and chopped
1tablespoonof olive oil
Fresh basil leavesoptional
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to the instructions.
Place the onion and garlic in a pan over a medium heat, with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Mix well and cook for 5-10 minutes until soft.
Once soft, add the capers, caper water, lemon zest, lemon juice and tomatoes ( I halved mine)
Cook everything together for a further 10 minutes until the juice begins to bubble.
A delicious recipe which helps you get your veg intake in for the day. Quick to make, simple and best of all minimal washing up!
Halloumi stack
Mid_van_crisis
Vegetarian
A quick and easy meal that is a firm favourite with us who consist of one vegetarian and one meat eater. Lovely lunch if having only one stack but double up or add sides for a more filling dinner
Peel and de-stalk the mushrooms, add these to grill/pan first whilst preparing other ingredients, turning regularly
Thinly slice the red onions, these can then be added to grill alongside the onions or can be served raw depending on taste, carry on with preparing the remaining ingredients
Open, drain and slice the halloumi (thickness depends on personal preference and how many portions needed)
Slice the tomatoes
Add the halloumi after the mushrooms and onions have been on for 5 minutes and the tomatoes a couple of minutes later
Continue to turn all ingredients regularly for roughly a further 10 minutes
You can’t really go wrong with times as it can all just be done to personal taste- either well done or lightly done
Open the buns and place a bed of rocket on the base
Once the ingredients are grilled to your taste stack them up on top of the rocket- mushroom, halloumi, tomatoes and onions
Finish off with generous portion of mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce
Serve open so your guests can admire your handiwork!
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