Part of van life is to try to make it feel like a home from home, especially if you’re using it as a long term base. For me, this means eating as healthily as we did at home, and to trying to ensure a varied diet. So, I’ve been out foraging – trying to find fresh, free ingredients on our travels. Sweden in particular was great for this, not just because of the timing of our visit there, but because foraging and fishing are allowed pretty much anywhere. Since then, we’ve kept our eyes open along the way – through Germany, Holland, Belgium, France and now back in the UK.
Things we have foraged include…
Elderflowers
Made some delicious refreshing cordial in Slovakia.
Blueberries and bilberries
I’ve made several pies and some lovely jam. I’ve also added them to our morning smoothie.
Samphire
On the Dutch coast, we found plenty and enjoyed it blanched with a sardine salad and also with tuna pasta dishes. It’s salty flavour really goes well with seafood.
Cob nuts
A type of hazelnut, I waited for them to go brown, toasted them and added them to our breakfast bars instead of almonds. We don’t have a nut cracker in the van… so I used the pliers!! Everything has more than one use, it’s about time those pliers earned their keep.
Apples and Blackberries
Now we’re back in the UK, there’s plenty of blackberries and apples, so I’m looking forward to long walks foraging with the dogs, and a surfeit of crumbles… mmm!
Wild raspberries too – Didn’t find a huge amount (Boo learned how to pick them, so we lost a good few!) but they were great on top of our breakfast cereal.
Fish!!??
Our good friend Guy has lent us a fishing rod, so if and when we head back to Europe, we’re going to be spending some time in the lakes of Germany and Sweden trying to catch our supper. We’ve had a first foray in the North sea at Robin Hood’s Bay, hoping to catch sea bass…will keep you posted…
Lavender
I made some scented wardrobe hangers from flowers we collected in Hungary and Slovakia.
Baking Update
In addition to baking breads and pizzas as previously reported, I’ve made all sorts – Here’s a selection of the best efforts…
Bread
Cracked this now – the secret is turning it 5 times in our Thetford gas oven. Home-made blueberry jam on home-made toast – perfect!
Melting peanut butter chocolate puds
Another favourite comfort pud from home, works a treat in the van.
Flarn
A Swedish recipe, from our friend Ucci’s Dad. They are thin, coconut and orange biscuit – deliciously with or without buttercream filling.
Pizza, Ciabatta and garlic bread
Thin crust pizzas, made from scratch – they require careful turning in the oven, but well worth the effort.
Chelsea buns
Sticky, cinnamon goodness – Another firm favourite!
Cookies
White chocolate and cranberry! We had mixed results with a certain batch of Italian butter, but these are usually a quick and tasty treat.