Top 10 camping staples

Convenience and portability is key when it comes to packing your camping larder. We count down 10 basics to get you started.

Know what to take camping

Making a meal out of a handful of ingredients you've carried along is one of the joys of camping. As long as the ingredients you've picked are light and versatile. We've chosen 10 staple 'foundation' ingredients around which to form some smart dishes for campsite dining.

1. Halloumi

This firm sheeps' milk cheese travels really well in a cool bag as it holds its form and has a very high melting point. The robust nature of halloumi means it can be cooked in slices or chunks to an almost meat-like texture. Fry or griddle it and have with some salad leaves and dressing, skewer it to cook on a campfire or serve it in wraps.

2. Flatbreads

Unlike an ample loaf, flatbreads pack down into a neat and bendy stack, ideal for slipping into a rucksack or hamper. They can be made into a pizza, served either cold smeared with houmous or baked with traditional cheese and tomato toppings. Go Mexican and fold up some melty quesadillas or use for a quick steak sandwich.

3. Chorizo

Chorizo Find yourself a good quality cured Spanish sausage, nestle it into your knapsack and you're away. Chorizo is the perfect camping sausage as its ready-cured so can be sliced and eaten as a snack, or can be crisped up in an omelette, served with eggs for breakfast or combined with potatoes in a hash.

4. Sardines

All tinned fish are great for camping, but as sardines usually come in chunky fillets they feel more like a whole meal. Serve Spanish style on toast for breakfast, with canned chickpeas and zesty lemon for lunch and with spaghetti, fennel and broccoli for supper (not necessarily on the same day).

5. Rice pouches

Rice pot As one of the most versatile grains, rice is the foundation for so many great meals. Ready cooked or boil-in-the-bag pouches are light and transportable and go from cooking stove to plastic plate in minutes. Keep your cooked rice fresh in a bean salad, make it into a spicy curried pilaf or whip it into Chinese-style egg fried rice.