Steve and I had our first camping holiday (and his first ever) in East Sussex. I’m a seasoned camper with 40+ years’ experience under my belt. I grew up camping in the beautiful National parks in the western US – beaches, mountains and the desert. Very few of them had any more facilities than coldwater sinks and toilets, but the camp sites had a picnic table and a fire ring. Camping is different over here, usually in a big field alongside dozens of caravans and other tent campers and with good shower and dishwashing up facilities. We stayed on Park Farm near Bodiam Castle and managed to find a quiet-ish corner.
Our home away from home
We had bought a 2 burner Gaz camping stove with a grill (“Yay, toast!”) but by the time we got the gas bottle and then the regulator, it was time for our 4-star experience. I made Beef Stroganoff for Steve’s birthday dinner on my little single burner stove which turned out quite good. Just strips of beef, onion, mushroom, some tomato purée, crème frâiche and peppercorns, freshly ground between a mug and a plate (and I’ve been wondering what was missing . . . . paprika). I used taglierini, a thinner version of tagliatelle which only takes 2 minutes to cook.
Another of my camping staples is Sainsbury’s Instant Noodles. They aren’t chockful of chemicals or artificial flavours, are quick to cook (3 minutes) and can be embellished with all manner of things eg, meat, vegetables, tofu. Steve used these as a base for Bodiam Noodles.
buddha
buddha
Bodiam Noodles
- 2 boneless chicken filets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 a courgette (zucchini), sliced
- 1/2 an onion, sliced
- Sunflower oil
- One packet Chicken instant noodles
- Water
In a skillet, sauté the chicken, onions and mushrooms. Set to one side and cover to keep warm (and keep the bugs out). Prepare the noodles in a saucepan according to the package directions, adding the sliced courgette a couple of minutes before the noodles. Tip the chicken and vegetables into the noodles and heat through.
Pour into bowls and serve with mugs of oaked Chardonnay.
Steve bought a nifty folding chair with a built-in table.
BTW this was my birthday breakfast – fresh coffee, bread & butter and tiffin from the fab Battle Deli (stay tuned for this!).
Birthday coffee
Looks like a wonderful way to spend your special days! Brings back memories……I haven’t been camping/caravaning in such a long time. How serenely pretty you look sitting on that log Melinda. 🙂
Very impressive cordon bleu camping and a beautiful spot to visit. Bodiam Castle with its moat (used to have water lilies on it when I was there) and classic plan is SO wonderful and is to be recommended as a place to visit. Any photos to post? What a great way to spend your birthdays.
Thanks Pam and Mike, the next post cued up IS Bodiam Castle. Complete with water lilies. Stayed tuned . . . . . .
Happy birthday Melinda, what a lovely portrait of you.