Cooking in an RV can seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and a little creativity, you can have a satisfying culinary experience no matter where you are. In this article, I will provide some helpful tips and tricks for Mastering the Art of Cooking in Your RV Kitchen so that you can enjoy delicious meals while on the road.
Traveling in an RV is a great way to explore new places and make lifelong memories. One of the best aspects of RV travel is the ability to cook and eat on the road. However, cooking in an RV kitchen can be challenging, especially for those who are new to the lifestyle.
Eating at restaurants and fast food chains every night may seem like the answer but, not only is that unhealthy, it can also get really EXPENSIVE! By embracing the following steps, you will set yourself up for success and discover how enjoyable cooking wholesome meals in your RV kitchen can be.
Plan your meals in advance
One of the keys to success when cooking in an RV is to plan your meals in advance. Take some time before your trip to plan out your meals for each day, and make a list of all of the ingredients you'll need. This will help you avoid overspending at the grocery store, and ensure that you have everything you need to prepare delicious meals while on the road.
Get Organized
Organization is essential when cooking in an RV kitchen. Make sure you store all of your cooking utensils, pots, pans, and ingredients in a designated area of the RV. Consider purchasing collapsible measuring cups and storage containers. These take up less space and can be easily collapsed for storage in a drawer. Stackable mixing bowls can be stacked together to save space in the cabinet. A small investment in the right tools will help you to stay organized and avoid clutter, making it easier to cook in your RV kitchen.
Have an arsenal of spices at your disposal
Purchase a Spice Rack that has jars with tight-fitting lids and rubber stoppers on the bottom to organize your spices. Just because you are cooking in a small space doesn't mean you want to skimp on flavor. The simple step of having an organized spice rack will help you create inventive dishes with different flavor profiles, keeping you from getting bored while cooking on the road.
Magnetic Spice Tins are another great option. You can just stick them to the side of your refrigerator.
Use Multi-functional tools
When space is limited, it's important to make the most of the tools you have. Look for multifunctional cooking tools, such as the Ninja Foodi, which combines 11 functions. You can pressure cook, air fry/air crisp, steam, slow cook, yogurt, sear/saute, bake/roast, broil, dehydrate & keep warm. You can make entire meals with just one appliance! Tools like this are a game-changer when it comes to cooking in a small space because you can make healthy meals like my Ninja Foodi Salmon or my Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops in less than 15 minutes.
Invest in a large pan with a tight-fitting lid
It may seem counterintuitive to have a large pan in a small kitchen, but large pans with tight-fitting lids are useful for cooking one-pot meals and can be used for several different dishes. If the pan is large enough, you can boil pasta in the same pan that you use to saute the other ingredients for your meal. This keeps you from dirtying up multiple dishes, saving you time and energy. When you are cooking in your RV, the fewer dishes you have to wash, the better! Well, I guess that's the case for cooking in any kitchen.
Be creative with your ingredients
When cooking on the road, it's important to be adaptable and creative with your ingredients. Look for fresh, local ingredients at farmers' markets and grocery stores along your route. Experiment with new flavors and spices to add some variety to your meals. Having various recipes in your back pocket is crucial so that you won't get bored with your meal choices.
Sometimes simple is better
When cooking in an RV, sometimes you will want to keep it simple. If you are coming back from a long day of hiking, for instance, you may not feel like cooking a complicated meal. Have some recipes that require minimal prep time and use a small number of ingredients. Easy meals like a stir-fry or grilled meats and veggies can be delicious and easy to prepare in an RV kitchen. Consider batch-prepping ingredients on days that you have more time so that there is less to do on days that you don't have the energy or inclination. Prepare a batch of chicken salad in advance. That can be turned into wraps or sandwiches on busy days. Throw in some fruit or a side salad, and you can have a healthy meal in under 20 minutes.
Here are some great, simple options for days when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen
Get creative with leftovers
Leftovers can be transformed into new dishes with a little creativity. Use leftover meat to make tacos, or turn leftover veggies into a yummy frittata. You could easily make a double batch of Bolognese Sauce in your crockpot. Serve half of the sauce over pasta one night and freeze the rest in a large resealable bag. Now, when you need a new dinner idea, you can transform that sauce into a fantastic lasagna.
Clean as you go
When cooking in an RV kitchen, space is limited and things can become cluttered quickly. Cleaning as you go can help to keep the space tidy and organized, making it easier for you to move around and find what you need. This makes for a much more enjoyable cooking experience.
Don't forget about outdoor cooking
Finally, don't forget about cooking in the great outdoors. You ARE camping after all! If you own or have access to an outdoor grill or Blackstone Griddle, take advantage of that. It can be a great way to expand your cooking options and enjoy the scenery while preparing your meals. Plus, cooking outside on the grill means less cleanup inside your RV!
Remember that just because you are on the road, that doesn't mean you need to spend a ton of money at restaurants or eat at unhealthy fast-food chains. Cooking in an RV may not be the same as cooking in a spacious home kitchen, but with the right tools, planning, and a little creativity, you can enjoy delicious and wholesome meals on the road.
Now let's get cooking!
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As always, I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours!
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