Cooking with the Trangia Billy Can from Simply Hike
I’ve been blogging a while, but old habits die hard. I’m sometimes contacted by brands asking if I’d like to choose something to try out and review, I could be cheeky and ask for something nice to wear, something flashy or expensive. But I never do. Mainly, because I still get really uncomfortable asking for things, but mainly because I’m my mother’s daughter and always go for the practical option. So when Simply Hike got in touch, I knew straight away what I wanted. Some women lust after jewellery or handbags, but I’ve been wanting a billy can for ages.
I know what you’re thinking. How have I survived so long without one?! I don’t know either.
I thought I’d take the opportunity to show you a few recipes that are super easy to cook in a billy can while camping. It can be used on a stove or over a fire, whichever you prefer.
Mussels
I’ve mentioned before that a steaming bowl of mussels and crusty bread is one of our camping recipe staples. Super easy to prepare, quick to cook and adds a little luxury to any camping trip. All you need is a pan with a lid and away you go. On our last trip I managed to forget our gas canister so our stove was out of use, however in a stroke of ad libbing genius, I just stuck our billy can on our mini barbecue for a few minutes. As soon as the mussels are all open you’re good to go (remember to throw away any that are open before you cook them).
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Our billy can makes the perfect mussel pan
One Pot Wonders
Another reason I was keen to get a billy can, was that I’m a massive fan of one pot cooking. I do it a lot at home, so it makes sense to use my tried and tested recipes while we’re camping as well. This is a great way to cook if you’re catering for a group.
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I’ve raided my own recipe book for some of my favourite one pot wonders (with a few tweaks to make extra simple)
Here are a couple of my favourites, super quick and easy and perfect for family camping trips.
Sweet potato dahl one pot camping recipe (serves 2)
Chicken, chorizo & chickpea one pot camping recipe (serves 4)
Baking
One thing that was a revelation to me was finding out that you can bake in a billy can. Cakes at the campsite-what more could you want?!
Ok, this is hardly GBBO standard, but stick with me here. All you need is a packet of cake mix and away you go!
I find that it works best if you wait until the end of the night, when your coals are a little cooler. We generally do it using charcoal briquettes (the larger ones) once we’ve finished cooking on the barbecue. I take off the grill and take out some of the charcoal using a trowel, just leaving a few coals behind. I then put the billy can on top of the charcoal and put a couple of coals on top. You’ve then got your very own Dutch oven.
Just make up your mix according to the instructions and pour in. I find it best to line the bottom of the pan with some foil to stop it sticking-and make cleaning up a bit easier. It doesn’t take long so keep an eye on it. I’ve found that any cake or muffin mix, or even a cookie mix works well. I’ve got a sweet tooth and I love having a sugar hit at the end of the day, especially if we’ve been out walking.
If you have only one piece of equipment in your camping kitchen, it has to be a billy can.
What are your favourite camping recipes?
Disclosure: We were given a billy can free of charge for the purposes of this post. All opinions are my own.
I totally get where you are coming from Lauren – I’ve been dreaming of a Dutch oven and tripod to go over a campfire for a while now – the Billy can looks great and I love cooking mussels we have collected on a fire. Look forward to trying out your other one-pot recipes
I would also love a tripod! We’re already got a crazy amount of stuff so it might have to wait.
This look s ace! And yes, cake and camping – what a winning combination!
Oh this sounds right up our street. I might even pry my husband away from his mess tins! I’ll check out the recipes as well thank you. #AdventureCalling
looks like a camping essential! we haven’t started camping yet, we want to take the plunge this year. I haven’t considered what cooking utensils we might need, so thanks for this. was very helpful.
#adventurecalling
I would love a Billy can too. I’ve got a book of mug cake recipes that I reckon could easily be scaled up to work in a Billy can. (Apologies if this posted twice, typed up comment then it wouldn’t post)
I never thought you would be able to bake whilst camping!!
#adventurecalling
There is definitely something special about a billy. (and I’m with you dreaming of camping or hiking gear over handbags and jewellery!) I remember cooking in the whopping ones for Guide Camp and we used to make the most delicious chocolate sponge cake in SMA tins on the campfire embers over night.
#adventurecalling
Oh wow baking a cake whilst camping might persuade my hubby to take us more often! Your chicken, chroizo and chickpea stew sounds lovely too, I might just try that one at home. #adventurecalling
This looks fabulous! I’m just about to start converting my car into a camper so will be on the hunt for cooking equipment soon – so thanks for the recommendation!
This looks great… we love musscles. They look Yummy!! #adventurecalling
Oh Wow! You are making me hungry. I love mussels! We are going to camping as a family for the first time this Summer and I am looking for some cooking gears. This is perfect!
Thank you for hosting. #adventurecalling
Baking on the campsite, what a fantastic Ida! #adventurecalling
I do adore mussels and chips and the idea of a one pot wonder has got me inspired. #adventurecalling
Sounds like this is a must have camping essential. I dont think i could be trusted to cook if we ever go camping. Id end up making everyone ill! #adventurecalling
Baking cakes while camping = heaven ? #adventurecalling
We don’t have a billy can either, and now I’m thinking I want one too! We’re going camping this weekend and what could be better than baking cake on the camp fire?!
#Adventurecalling
We’ve got a Dutch oven and tripod but to be honest vary rarely take it with us due to the weight. It’s such a shame because we had some great meals from over the years. This Billy can sounds like a great solution. I also never thought of doing mussels when we’re away camping, what a great idea, particularly if you’re camping on the coast and can source them locally.
#adventurecalling