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The VW 3 Course Christmas Camper

Get outdoors this Christmas

By William Coleman

Christmas in a VW Camper seems like a fantastic idea to me. Find a site deep in the countryside that’s located near a local pub and just relax over the Christmas season. In the true spirit of Christmas Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has teamed up with chef and blogger, Claire Thomson, to create a three-course Christmas dinner menu that can be cooked solely in your campervan. This should save on the amount of washing up too!

This time of the year can feel more like work than a holiday when it comes to getting everyone in the same room for dinner. According to latest figures, 43% of families are struggling to find time to eat together which means Christmas dinner is one of the rare occasions where everyone sits around the same table.

Due to this lack of time together it means the all important family dinner is being put on the back burner, something Volkswagen want to put an end to by providing some encouragement to the masses.

To help encourage families to switch off this Christmas and share quality time, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles challenged chef and founder of the 5 O’Clock Apron blog, Claire Thomson, to go off-grid in the New Forest with her loved ones for a festive feast in a Volkswagen California.

Kate Thompson, mother of two and Head of Press and Public Relations, of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “While for many the Christmas meal is daunting enough in a fully equipped kitchen at home, Claire proved the iconic campervan is all you need to cook up a delicious three course meal.”

Claire and her husband – former Michelin starred chef, Matt Williamson – made use of the two gas hobs, fridge, and running tap that all come as standard in the California Ocean. The couple also propped up the preparation table and rotated the two front seats to create a spacious kitchen area in which to prepare their festive feast.

Claire created the original recipes to ensure they included all the essentials so her family weren’t missing out on the true Christmas experience. For a starter, Claire cooked pan fried scallops with hazelnut butter and spinach.

This was followed by a main course of turkey saltimbocca, served with sautéed potatoes, chestnuts and sprouts and dressed with spiced pickled pears. For the final touch, they had Christmas pudding fried with Marsala butter for dessert.

Claire Thomson, commented: “We have stayed in a Volkswagen California before and absolutely loved it. The kids like sleeping ‘upstairs’, in the top bunk and it genuinely has everything you need to create any meal – even a Christmas dinner. The hobs, fridge and sink make everything really simple, leaving you free to enjoy the time away with your family.”

For more details on the recipes featured or Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ delicious range of products and services, please visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.ukl.