Hi Reader,

What a fantastic weekend we had at the Warners show in Shepton Mallet! The free cooking classes were an absolute blast—big thanks to everyone who joined in. I have to say, the arepas you turned out were the best I’ve seen yet, and the creativity for fillings in the tortilla samosas really impressed me. Brilliant work all round!

As promised, I’ve pulled together the recipes from the weekend, along with links to some of the kit I use every day. A few of these even come with special discounts—just click the link to grab the offer.

• ​Omnia Stove Top Oven – Perfect for baking and roasting without a full oven.
• ​2 in 1 Olive oil Spray - So good for the lighter spraying of oil.
• ​Ridge Monkey XL Sandwich Toaster – Great for pressed sandwiches and so much more.
• ​Brunner Multifunction Pan Set– Covers all bases from frying to baking. Use code: VAN15 for discount!
• ​Silicone Steamer Mat – Ideal for dumplings and steaming veg.
• ​Savernake Knives – One high-quality knife goes a long way.
• ​Corelle Plates – Lightweight, durable, and space-saving.
• ​Zliss Food Chopper – Quick blending without needing power.
• ​Waeco Dometic CRX50 Fridge – Keeps ingredients fresh in a compact, efficient way.
• ​Bamboo Worktop – A sturdy, eco-friendly prep surface.
• Wooden Chopping Board & Wooden Spoon, Collapsible Mixing Bowl – Handy basics that make cooking a breeze.
• ​Pastry Board – Great for pasta and bread dough and keeps mess minimal.
• ​Dumpling and Pasta Cutting Kit – We love making dumplings, ravioli and empanadas!
• ​RidgeMonkey Cutlery – I know it may feel like just a cutlery set but this set feels great to use and is very durable. We never thought we’d have a favourite tea spoon!
• ​Magnetic Glasses – Silwy magnetic glasses that hang from our van ceiling. Love these!
• ​Wonderbag Thermal Cooking – A real game changer for slow cooking and prepping ahead. We often use this when we are out exploring for the day!
• ​Cobb Grill – An amazing portable outdoor BBQ solution
• ​Campingaz Stovetop – Great for when we need to take our pans outside
• ​Blackstone Griddle – We love using this hotplate
• ​Winnerwell Firepit and Cast Iron Pot – The best outdoor cooking experience over an open fire
• ​Gozney Tread Pizza Oven – Pizza is often on the menu, and this portable pizza oven is stored in the van garage, ready to set up
• ​Flamers Firelighters – Natural fire lighters that make lighting a BBQ or fire so easy!

Show Recipe 1 - South American Arepas

Special ingredient - Harina PAN flour - Get it on Amazon here​

​Here is the full recipe​

Show Recipe 2 - Tortilla Samosas

Ingredients

• Tortilla wraps (1 makes 2 samosas)
• Plain flour
• Water
• Oil spray (or a little oil for frying)
• Your choice of fillings (leftovers, curry, spiced veg, cheese, etc.)

Method

1. In a small bowl, mix plain flour with just enough water to form a thick paste. This will act as your edible glue.
2. Slice one tortilla w
3. Take one half and brush the long straight edge with the flour paste. Fold it in half lengthways to begin forming a triangle. Fold again to shape a cone, leaving one end open for filling.
4. Spoon your chosen filling into the cone, leaving enough space to seal the edge.
5. Brush the open edge with flour paste and press firmly to close. (Tip: hold the seam down in the pan briefly if needed to help it stick.)
6. Lightly spray or brush a frying pan with oil and place the samosa seam-side down. Fry gently until golden and crisp, then flip and cook the other side.
7. Enjoy your crunchy tortilla samosas straight from the pan!

Show Recipe 3 – Bucatini Carbonara

The twist here is that I used bucatini instead of tagliatelle. It’s one of my favourite pastas, and for those who tried it, I’m sure you’ll agree!

​Here is the link to the recipe​

Show Recipe 4 - Easy Curry Base

​Here is the recipe for my curry base. Once you’ve made the base, you can start layering up an amazing curry! It works brilliantly as the foundation for dishes like my spinach and chickpea curry, but you can adapt it with whatever ingredients you fancy.

A lot of you were asking about the Vanlife Eats VIP membership. It’s still available for less than the price of a pizza for a whole year. As a member you’ll get access to my collection of secret family recipes, invitations to exclusive foodie meet-ups, early access to festival tickets, further discounts, my much-loved online cooking lessons as well as some other behind the scenes perks.

If you’d like to join in, here’s where you can find all the details: https://vanlifeeats.com/join-the-vip-club/​

I am really looking forward to seeing you next! Will you be at the Lincoln season finale? I'll be doing a cookalong with Darran, Tash and Matt! Can't wait!

Take care
Mark
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