Making meals in unfamiliar kitchens, such as those in holiday rentals or at relatives' homes, can present challenges due to varying equipment and ingredient access. One individual noted missing personal knives, a lemon juicer, and a salad spinner while cooking in north Norfolk, alongside specific ingredients like rice wine vinegar and tahini.
To navigate these differences, a focus on tried-and-tested recipes that require minimal equipment is suggested. Essential items for holiday cooking could include a knife, a few pans, a wooden spoon, a heat source, and a corkscrew. A box grater and a whisk are also considered useful.
Recommended dishes for holiday cooking often centre around carbohydrates, as ingredients like pasta, rice, potatoes, and ready-made pastry are widely available. Examples include courgette carbonara, peperonata, bursting tomato pasta, tortilla de patatas, and various rice-based meals such as stuffed peppers or braised green beans with tomatoes and onions.
For curries, a basic set of spices like cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and turmeric can be taken along, as local availability may vary. Adaptable curry and stew recipes are highlighted as suitable for holiday cooking. Other versatile options include a cheeseboard tart and a raspberry, cardamom, and almond cake, though the latter may require a springform tin.