Prairie Cooking in the RV

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

🌵 WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS… AND HOW DO YOU EAT IT? 😂

If you've never tried a prickly pear, also called a cactus pear or tuna fruit, you're not alone! I had to figure out exactly what to do with this funny-looking little fruit.
First important lesson: DON'T TRUST THE OUTSIDE!

😂 Those little dots can have teeny-tiny cactus spines that you definitely don't want in your fingers.

🌵 How to eat it: Carefully rinse and scrub the outside while wearing gloves or using tongs. Cut off both ends, make a shallow slice through the skin lengthwise, and peel the thick skin away.
Inside you'll find a beautiful, juicy fruit that's mildly sweet and can taste a little like a combination of watermelon, berries and melon.

The seeds are edible, but they're HARD! You can swallow them with the fruit or strain the pulp if you don't like the texture.

Eat it chilled, toss it into a smoothie, make prickly pear juice or syrup, or add it to fruit salad.
I absolutely LOVE finding foods I've never tried before. 🌵❤️

QUESTION: Have you ever eaten a prickly pear? Would you try one?

08/21/2026

🫙🌿 PRAIRIE COOKING IN THE RV: Homemade Herb-Infused Olive Oil

There’s something about making your own seasonings and infused oils that makes an RV kitchen feel a little more like home. ❤️ And when you’re working with limited cabinet space, I LOVE ingredients that can do double—or triple—duty!

Today I’m making a simple Herb-Infused Olive Oil right in a mason jar. Perfect for dipping bread, drizzling over veggies, tossing with pasta, brushing on chicken, or adding a little extra flavor to roasted potatoes.

🌿 RV Herb-Infused Olive Oil
Ingredients:
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp dried rosemary
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt

Directions:
Add all of your dried herbs and seasonings to a clean, completely dry mason jar.
Pour the olive oil over the seasonings.
Give everything a good stir or put the lid on tightly and shake it up.

Let it sit for at least 30–60 minutes so those flavors can mingle. For even more flavor, let it sit longer.

Shake or stir before using because all those yummy herbs will settle to the bottom.

🌟 RV KITCHEN TIP: Stick with dried herbs and garlic powder when making an oil you plan to store. Fresh garlic and fresh herbs submerged in oil can create a botulism risk if they're stored improperly.

I swear, sometimes the simplest things coming out of this tiny RV kitchen end up being my favorites. And LOOK at those herbs soaking up that olive oil! 😋

What would you use this on first—warm bread, pasta, chicken, or veggies?

08/20/2026

🍋 Crockpot Lemon Cream Cheese Chicken Over Jasmine Rice 🍅

Prairie Cooking in the RV

This is one of those throw-it-in-the-crockpot RV meals that makes the whole camper smell amazing without standing over the stove! And those sweet golden tomatoes with the creamy lemon sauce? YES PLEASE. 😋

🛒 What You’ll Need
2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1½–2 cups golden cherry tomatoes
1 packet onion soup mix
2–3 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup pickled red onions, drained
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
½ cup water or chicken broth
Cooked jasmine rice, for serving

RV KITCHEN TIP: Cook your jasmine rice in a small rice cooker while the crockpot does all the hard work. Minimal heat, minimal dishes, and you don't have to turn that RV oven on during these hot summer days!
Sometimes the best recipes come from looking at what you already have and saying, “Okay Crockpot... let's see what you can do with THIS!” 😂

08/19/2026

🍋 Crockpot Lemon Cream Cheese Chicken Over Jasmine Rice 🍅

Prairie Cooking in the RV

This is one of those throw-it-in-the-crockpot RV meals that makes the whole camper smell amazing without standing over the stove! And those sweet golden tomatoes with the creamy lemon sauce? YES PLEASE. 😋

🛒 What You’ll Need
2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1½–2 cups golden cherry tomatoes
1 packet onion soup mix
2–3 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup pickled red onions, drained
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
½ cup water or chicken broth
Cooked jasmine rice, for serving

🍲 Crockpot Directions
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.
Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the chicken.

Add the golden tomatoes and about half of the pickled red onions.
Pour in the lemon juice and ½ cup water or chicken broth.

Cut the cream cheese into chunks and place it over the top.

Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F.

Shred or slice the chicken right in the crockpot and stir everything together until that cream cheese turns into a rich, creamy sauce.
Stir in some of the fresh cilantro right before serving.

🍚 To serve: Spoon the creamy lemon chicken over warm jasmine rice and top with the remaining pickled red onions, fresh cilantro, and a few extra golden tomatoes if you have them.

RV KITCHEN TIP: Cook your jasmine rice in a small rice cooker while the crockpot does all the hard work.

Minimal heat, minimal dishes, and you don't have to turn that RV oven on during these hot summer days!

Sometimes the best recipes come from looking at what you already have and saying, “Okay Crockpot... let's see what you can do with THIS!” 😂

08/09/2026

Thank you Shelly and Mike for the vegetable treats.

07/22/2026

The Not-So-Pretty Side of Prairie Cooking in the RV 🍽️🚐
Let's be honest... not every meal in our RV kitchen is made completely from scratch.

If you've been following Prairie Cooking in the RV for a while, you know I love homemade meals using fresh ingredients. But life on the road is all about flexibility, and sometimes compromise is part of the recipe, too.

My husband won a couple of meal pouches at Grocery Bingo, and rather than letting them go to waste, we've decided to use them on the evenings when I'm fasting for medical reasons. Tonight's dinner is a pasta pouch paired with grilled chicken and fresh vegetables, making it a more balanced meal.

There's another reason for today's shortcut... it's 102° outside! 🌡️ Heating up a tiny RV with the propane stove is the last thing I want to do.
That's where my little rice cooker becomes a lifesaver. It keeps the heat down, uses very little electricity, and makes cooking in a small space so much more comfortable. Whether it's rice, pasta pouches, or other simple meals, sometimes convenience is exactly what RV living calls for.

No, this isn't my favorite kind of cooking, but it reminds me that living in an RV is about making the best of every situation. Homemade meals will always be my first choice, but I'm also learning that balance, compromise, and staying cool are important ingredients, too.

How do you keep your kitchen cool during the summer? Do you use a rice cooker, slow cooker, air fryer, outdoor grill, or something else? I'd love to hear your favorite hot-weather cooking tips!

07/17/2026

A Sweet Surprise in the Prairie Cooking in the RV Kitchen ❤️🍓

One of the construction workers who has been staying here at the RV park for the past year surprised me with these adorable kitchen gifts, and I couldn't be more thankful! He's been a faithful follower of this page and enjoys watching my cooking adventures, which makes this gift even more meaningful.

I absolutely love this beautiful strawberry towel and matching spoon rest. They will have a special place in the Prairie Cooking in the RV kitchen, and you can be sure they'll be making appearances in future recipes and videos. How could I not use something this beautiful?

Thank you so very much for your kindness, your thoughtful gift, and the heartfelt card. It's moments like these that remind me how wonderful this community truly is. Your generosity and encouragement mean more than you know.

Have you ever received a small gift that completely brightened your day? I'd love to hear your story in the comments! ❤️🍓

07/15/2026

Dinner looks a little different these days—and I couldn't be happier! 🍤🍍

Now that we're finally settled into our RV kitchen, we're cooking at home again. That means healthier meals, more quality time together, and saving money instead of eating out.

Tonight's dinner was a sweet and spicy shrimp dish with just the right amount of kick. 🌶️ The full recipe will be shared tomorrow on Prairie Cooking in the RV, so be sure to watch for it!

Now I have a question for you... 🍍

Do you enjoy cutting up a fresh pineapple, or would you rather buy it already cut? Let me know in the comments—I can't wait to hear what everyone prefers!

DM for the recipe....