Top chef Julius Jaspers recommends: this kitchen equipment is what you want to bring camping
Top chef Julius Jaspers has already spoiled us with many wonderful cookbooks, whose dishes we are always happy to share. (This chili con carne, for example, is divine!) In his latest book Kampeerkoken, he shares easy recipes for the campsite or any outdoor cooking adventure. At least as useful is his advice on which kitchen equipment is essential.
Julius: ‘Cooking for yourself on a camping trip or during a camping stay is always my preference. You can determine much better what you do and don’t eat, you don’t have to stick to prescribed portions, and you can be one hundred percent sure that your ingredients are fresh and healthy—as long as you pay a little attention. And it saves quite a bit of money!’
Your own kitchen equipment
‘Of course, it makes a big difference whether you fill the trunk of your MPV or the “basement” of your caravan or motorhome with your favorite kitchen tools, or whether you have to make do with half a bicycle pannier. It’s also useful to consider what equipment your kitchen has. Do you have 1, 2 or 3 gas burners? Do you have an oven (you’ll never need one, really, but it can come in handy)? Do you have a little BBQ, and are you allowed to use it where you are? Or do you have my new toy, the skottelbraai, a kind of wok on a gas burner. Last but not least; do you have some kind of refrigeration space? Because that really is essential. Below, I’ll give you a list of the basic items I think you’ll need.’
Camping cook’s essentials
At first glance, it still looks like quite a list. But believe me, if you keep a little space in your car for this equipment, you can turn every meal at the campsite into a three-star dinner.
Packing list
- paring knife (slightly larger than a potato-peeling knife)
- 20 cm chef’s knife
- bread knife
- cutting board that can be used on both sides
- can opener
- garlic press
- sieve/colander
- BBQ tongs
- grater
- stainless-steel satay skewers (I swear by them)
- saucepan
- frying pan ø 20–25 cm
- 2-liter saucepan + lid
- 4-liter saucepan + lid
- washing-up tub
- brush
- tea towels
- disposable (or Tupperware) storage containers
- aluminum foil
- plastic wrap
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