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Christmas Dinner and Camping

Christmas Dinner and Camping

Has anyone ever mentioned ‘Christmas Camping’ to you? Did you immediately feel as though this person was suffering from some form of delusional insanity. Perhaps you have mentioned camping at Christmas and people looked at you like you have 3 heads.

We all know camping and touring are fantastic at any time of year and camping over Christmas is no exception and definitely worth considering, it can bring some relief and relaxation to what has become an incredibly eventful and busy period. The quietness of camping or touring around the Christmas period can also help to ground ourselves and clear our minds before the new year arrives. We are lucky in Somerset and the South West of England to have some mild winters, the lack of snow and solitude of the big day means that nature lovers will be in for a treat.

As we said in a previous blog, Camping in Autumn and Winter, there is no such thing as camping or touring in bad weather, only unsuitable equipment and lack of decent facilities! So why not consider camping at Christmas, you never know, you might start a long family tradition.

Sounds great doesn’t it, but what about Christmas dinner? Cooking when camping at Christmas is a great way to connect with others as it really is a team effort and there is no pressure to ensure everything is perfect. Although we won’t be advising on how to cook your turkey and veg on a camping stove, we have come up with some alternatives that we think you will be equally pleased with.

The below recipes have been selected by us due to their relative ease and minimal equipment required. We hope you feel inspired and don’t forget your crackers!

If you have tried one of the below when camping at Southfork or have any more ideas for easy meals then why not post to our Facebook or Instagram pages.

Starters

Soup is a great meal for camping as it can be prepared in advance and heated, or prepared easily when your campsite has been set up.

Creamy pumpkin cauliflower soup

Ingredients: Chicken Stock, roasted pumpkin, cauliflower, onions, garlic, cinnamon and ginger (optional).
Equipment required: Chopping board & knife, saucepan with lid, stirring spoon, ladle and heat source.
Serves: 4 Cook time: Approx 30 mins.
Recipe: www.keenoncamping.com/winter-soup-recipes/

Halloumi is really versatile and can be eaten by itself or added to a salad or cous cous (or both!) for a tasty starter. It is also easy to grill halloumi on a heat source using a skillet or on a BBQ using a grill iron so makes a good choice for camping.

Filo wrapped halloumi with honey

Ingredients: 3 sheets Filo Pastry, 1 block Halloumi, olive oil, rapeseed oil, white wine vinegar, sesame seeds and honey.
Serves: 2 Cook time: 30 mins
Equipment required: Chopping board & knife, skillet & heat source.
Recipe: www.love2bbq.co.uk/filo-wrapped-halloumi-with-honey/

Mains

If you are planning to camp at Christmas you are probably well aware that you’re not going to be having the traditional roasted meat and veg. However there are a huge amount of stew and casserole recipes to be found which can be adapted depending on what meat (or not!) you fancy cooking.

Turkey and Red Wine Casserole

Ingredients: Turkey thigh, flour, onion, oil, garlic, celery, carrots, thyme, sage, red wine, tomato puree, chicken stock and salt.
Equipment needed: Chopping board & knife, large saucepan with lid, stirring utensil, heat source.
Serves: 4 Cook time: Approx 1 hour.
Recipe: realfood.tesco.com/recipes/turkey-and-red-wine-casserole.html

If you are Vegetarian, Vegan or just don’t fancy meat then the below stew is a really good alternative. We selected this one because most of the ingredients can be sourced in tins and although it is a slow cooker/oven stew, it can be easily adapted to cooking on a heat source when camping.

Vegan Campfire Stew

Ingredients: Jackfruit, onions, pepper, garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, baked beans, chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, celery, carrots, button mushrooms, chilli flakes, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce.
Equipment needed: Chopping board & knife, large saucepan with lid, stirring utensil, heat source.
Serves: 4 Cook time: Approx 1 hour.
Recipe: pinchofnom.com/recipes/vegan-campfire-stew/

Sides

Add some variety to your camping Christmas meal with the below recipes for sides.

Buttery Corn On The Cob

Ingredients: Butter, garlic, parsley, corn on the cob.
Equipment needed: Foil, BBQ grill.
Serves: 4 Cooking time: BBQ grill approx 30-40 mins
Recipe: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/buttery-baked-corn-cob

Cheesy Potato Croquettes

Ingredients: Potatoes, butter, salt, pepper, cheese of choice, eggs, plain flour, panko bread crumbs, paprika, cumin, oil. * Add parsnips to the mash mixture for a festive taste!
Equipment needed: Chopping board & knife, mixing bowl, saucepan, skillet and heat source
Serves: 8 Cook time (inc. prep): Approx 75 mins.
Recipe: www.thespruceeats.com/cheesy-potato-croquettes-papas-rellenas-recipe-4036496

Vegetables

Ingredients: Almost all vegetables can be boiled or steamed and will keep in a cool box. Go crazy and add anything you like or stick to the carrots and sprouts for a more traditional dinner.
Equipment needed: Saucepan or steamer, colander (optional), heat source.

Desserts

We figured by the time you had prepped the above, cooked and eaten you would want an easy dessert.....some of these you could even get the kids to help make!

Chocolate Bananas

Ingredients: Bananas, milk chocolate chips.
Equipment needed:
Foil, BBQ grill, chopping board & knife.
Serves: 6 Cook time: Approx 15-20 mins.
Recipe: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/ukcampsites/holiday-ideas/camping-food/15-easy-camping-meals/

Christmas Pudding

Ingredients: Shop bought Christmas pudding (boil variety), cream of choice.
Equipment needed: Saucepan with lid.
Serves: 4 +depending on size Cook time: Approx 30-60 mins.

Campfire S’Mores

Ingredients: Digestive biscuits (UK equivalent to Graham Crackers), any bar of chocolate with squares, marshmallows (vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available).
Equipment: Campfire & sticks
Serves: As many as you like Cook time: Approx 2 mins.
Recipe: www.tablespoon.com/recipes/campfire-smores/8c59f940-f935-40be-9cd0-f38d52e4d6ac

And Finally...

No Christmas campsite dinner would be the same without some mulled wine to warm you up and create some festive cheer. Strictly for the grown-ups the below recipe is a guide on how to make the most basic of mulled wine.

If you are alcohol free or camping with kids who want to join in then a soft drink version can be found here.

Mulled Wine

Equipment needed: Chopping board & knife, Saucepan, stirring spoon, ladle and heat source.
Ingredients: Red/White wine or Cider (brandy/whiskey optional), preferred fruit and spices.
Cook time: Approx 15 mins

The great thing about Mulled wine is that there is no definitive recipe on how to make it, it all comes down to preference. You can change any recipe to suit any tastes.

The most common recipe requires a mix of fruit (oranges and lemons are the most common) and spices which include cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, fennel and nutmeg. Feel free to improvise - for example if you are not a massive fan of cardamom then leave it on the side! Most fruit can be added so if you are wanting more of a bite then grapefruit is a good option, raisins on the other hand can give your mulled wine a slightly sweeter taste.

When it comes to the drink, you can ‘mull’ red wine, white wine or even cider! Choose something you would be happy to drink without all the spices, it doesn’t have to be expensive.

  • Add your wine to the pot - be careful not to heat too quickly - if your wine is steaming it is hot enough. Heating too fast will cause the alcohol to evaporate. You can add a fortifier such as Brandy for an extra ‘kick’ if required.
  • Add the fruit (slice into smaller pieces i.e oranges) and spices - remember with spices less is more, a rule of thumb is approx 4 cloves per bottle, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger, 2 sticks of cinnamon etc. You can always add more.
  • Add a sweetener such as honey or syrup - 1/2 tablespoons
  • Heat for approx 15 mins and enjoy!!

Southfork Caravan Park is open all year round so if you fancy trying out a Camping Christmas Dinner then please do check out the booking page on our website where you can search for all availability and lastly Happy Christmas to you all!