What would a long weekend spent on the Aussie coast be without cooking up the fish you caught?

If you’re camping, you won’t have a pantry full of ingredients on hand, so these recipes are simple. Besides, if the fish has just been caught it is going to be fresh and tender. There’s no point drowning it in sauces. Sometimes  less is more!

1. Coconut Encrusted and Pan Fried

You’ll need:

• Flour
• Salt and pepper
• egg
• coconut
• lemon
• olive oil

Dip the fish in a bowl of beaten egg. (If you don’t have egg, skip this stage.) Put some flour, salt and pepper in a plastic bag. Drop the fish in and shake it around to coat, then press the fish fillets into a plate of coconut. Pan fry in a little olive oil, squeeze with lemon. Enjoy!

2. Simple pan-fried fish

You’ll need;

• Olive oil or butter
• lemon
• salt and pepper (or any favourite herbs you have on hand)

This is EASY. Just heat the oil or butter in a pan, throw in the fish fillets, sprinkle with seasoning (salt, pepper, herbs) to taste. Squeeze with lemon. Voila!

3. Steamed Fish 

Top fish with lemon slices, season, wrap in foil, and cook it on the grill, or in the dutch oven for 10-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet.

Variations

• If you need some carbs, put the fish on toast with a little mayonnaise and a slice of tomato. I also like capers.
• If you don’t have coconut, the flour, salt and pepper will do.
• Make a full meal of it by adding salads, rice, couscous, quinoa, and veggies.

My friend was catching a lot of whiting early in the morning during his camper van trip and cooked it up this way for breakfast nearly every morning.

More information:

• Camp recipes
• Camper van hire in Australia
• Camper vans for sale Australia
• A map of the best campgrounds in Australia.

Bon appetit, campers!