How to install and make a kitchen in a VAN?
Embark on an exciting culinary journey armed with just your van! Get ready to explore new gastronomic horizons, as today we'll show you how to prepare delightful dishes right inside. It will transform into a true mobile kitchen, leaving your taste buds in awe!
Planning and preparation: before embarking on your culinary adventure, you'll need a well-equipped van stove. Make sure you have a gas or portable wood stove, a sink with water supply, a refrigerator, as well as a set of kitchen utensils such as knives, pans, pots, and dishes. Don't forget about spices and ingredients!
Space and organization: the van might have limited space, so it's important to organize it efficiently. Place all kitchen utensils in designated areas for easy access. Utilize built-in cabinets and shelves to maximize space. Don't forget about safety and secure all items to prevent them from falling during travel.
Simple and delicious recipes: choose simple recipes that don't require a multitude of ingredients or complex cooking techniques. For example, you can prepare a fresh salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and greens. Add a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and your salad is ready! Or try making delicious sandwiches with various fillings. Don't be afraid to experiment and adapt recipes to the van's conditions.
Cooking on the gas or portable oven: use your portable oven to cook hot meals. It allows you to boil soups, cook meat, fish, or vegetables, as well as bake bread or cookies. Pay attention to proper ventilation to avoid odor buildup inside.
Leverage the refrigerator: it allows you to store fresh ingredients and maintain the optimal temperature for perishable items. With it, you can prepare salads, fresh juices, cold appetizers, and even make some desserts like ice cream.
Enjoy the prepared food: one of the most important aspects of cooking in a van is savoring the end result. Find a comfortable spot for lunch or dinner, open the doors, and immerse yourself in a unique atmosphere. Share your dishes with loved ones or new friends, sitting in a chair in the fresh air, and enjoy the flavors you created in your own mobile kitchen.
Wood and stove: the main component, of course, will be a small wood oven. Ensure that your furnace is installed on a sturdy and safe surface inside. Choose a furnace that fits the dimensions of your van and has the necessary ventilation and safety systems. Gather an ample supply of dry firewood to sustain the fire throughout the cooking process.
Ventilation: check that your van provides good ventilation. When working with a oven, it's important to ensure the safe removal of smoke and combustion byproducts. Install an exhaust system or open windows and doors to facilitate fresh air circulation.
Preparation of ingredients: prepare the ingredients you plan to use for your dishes. Divide them into portions and store them in airtight containers or bags. Also, consider marinating meat or vegetables in advance to enhance their flavor.
Menu planning: develop a menu, taking into account the capabilities of the wood furnace. Note that cooking on a oven requires more time and patience, so choose recipes that are easily adaptable to this cooking method. Consider options like casseroles, stews, ragouts, bread, pizza, and other dishes that are splendidly prepared on a fire.
Cooking time and temperature: cooking on a wood-burning furnace requires attention to cooking time and temperature. Before starting the cooking process, ensure that the oven is adequately heated. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature inside the oven and prevent dishes from overheating. Foods cooked on a wood-burning oven usually require more time to cook, so be prepared for the process to take longer than when using a regular furnace.
Experience and creativity: cooking on a portable wood furnace is an art that requires experience and a creative approach. Practice, experiment with different cooking methods and recipes, genuinely enjoy the process, and create unique dishes that bring to life the flavors and aromas of the past.
Now you have everything you need to prepare exquisite food in your van. Immerse yourself in a journey through time, where the greatness and simplicity of culinary traditions of the past are recreated. Create a true gastronomic celebration and savor dishes lovingly prepared over the flame.
Thus, cooking food in a van can become a magnificent adventure for you and your loved ones. Gradually expand your culinary repertoire, experiment with new recipes, and relish the freedom to cook anywhere where will you travel.
What kind of food can be prepared? Several unusual recipes
Cooking on a wood stove in a van provides a unique opportunity to create diverse dishes with a distinct aroma and flavor. Here are a few ideas for what you can cook using in your mobile culinary food truck:
Cookies and pies: you can bake aromatic cookies, pies, and tarts. Try making fresh pies with fillings of berries, fruits, or vegetables. Or perhaps you prefer cookies with chocolate or nuts? All of this can be easily prepared using the heat of the oven.
Pizza: what could be better than a fragrant pizza cooked on fire? Prepare thin dough and top it with fresh ingredients such as sauce, cheese, olives, ham, or vegetables, then bake it on the hot stove until it has a crispy golden crust. It will be a true feast for your taste buds.
Casseroles and stews: it is perfect for making casseroles and stews. Try baking meat with vegetables in a deep pot, adding some spices and herbs. The slow and steady cooking on the furnace will infuse the dish with a unique aroma and tenderness.
Bread and rolls: the smell of freshly baked bread is something special. Bake your own bread, using different types of flour and adding spices or seeds for flavor variety. And if you prefer rolls or baguettes, you can also make them on the oven, achieving an aromatic and crispy result.
Roasts and rosbif: you can prepare juicy roasts or rosbif on the wood-fired stove. Marinate the meat in advance using your favorite spices and herbs, and then roast it to perfection. The smell of smoke will add flavor and make it delicious.