Campervan Cooking Adventures - Sardinia Family Salad

There is a small St Christopher resting on the dashboard of Basco.

Most people probably wouldn't notice it, but for me it's one of the most important things in the van. It isn't expensive and it isn't there for good luck.

Over 40 years ago, a family in Sardinia gave it to my Nan and Grandad after an unforgettable motorhome adventure. St Christopher is the patron saint of travellers, and that little medal now rests in my own campervan. Every time me and Steph set off on another European road trip, it's a reminder that we're simply carrying on a journey that started long before we were born.

Travelling in a motorhome / campervan is in the blood for me.

Growing up as a child, I would spend lots of time in my Nan and Grandad's motorhome. It went on to impact both myself and my brother, we both now drive our own!

It wasn't just the motorhome travel we inherited though. It was the sense of adventure. I've been lucky enough to travel to lots of different countries in Europe, from the far north of Norway to the west cliffs of Portugal. But when I compare this to the adventures of my Nan and Grandad, it somehow feels too easy. They were taking motorhomes into Europe and sometimes they ended up in places that had never seen a motorhome before!

I often wonder how me and Steph (my wife) would have coped with no online support. From our digital maps and translators to mobile phone signal and the huge number of apps that make life on the road somewhat easier, I'm not sure we would find it so easy with printed maps, different currencies, different languages and local knowledge that came from locals, not the internet. I think it would force us to speak with more people. Asking for directions, campsites and petrol stations. I did learn to drive before sat nav, and my first job involved 30,000 miles a year. Stopping and asking for help seemed normal then, and I think this would have enriched the travel experience for my grandparents.

Now, I use food as a way to invite people to talk to me. People aren't so used to being stopped by strangers anymore. But if I'm cooking at a picnic stop, quite often a local will appear and it gives them something to ask me about. Perhaps it's even a chance to practise their English too. As I've said before, food really is a global currency. It's something most people can get excited about. It levels everyone. Sitting around a table, eating the same food, makes us equal. It allows us to let our guard down, feel more vulnerable and share the stories that shape who we are. Even with language barriers, you can experience a sense of friendship that's hard to replicate anywhere else.

For my Nan and Grandad, they simply had to present themselves at each town, try to ask for help and rely on pocket translator books. My Grandad had a really strong sense of purpose and didn't let obstacles get in the way, even when they came with strong warnings.

Driving off a ferry onto the island of Sardinia, they were quickly stopped by the police. They had never seen a motorhome before and wanted to know who my grandparents were and what they were up to. This was over 40 years ago and Sardinia was very different. Inland was known as bandit country. Thefts of cattle, real kidnappings and vehicles being stolen. For some reason this didn't seem to deter my Grandad. He would draw comparisons with driving in the Army and how "a few farmers with pitchforks" weren't going to concern him. I secretly think it was because he knew my Nan was with him, she was definitely tougher!

The police insisted it wasn't safe, but my Grandad simply wouldn't listen. This is known in our family as the Sardinian stand-off. Eventually, the Mayor arrived. He insisted that my grandparents would become his guests and that they must stay at his house, behind locked gates and guard dogs. My Nan overruled my Grandad and they stayed on the very first aire in Sardinia, the Mayor's driveway.

That evening, the Mayor naturally held a big dinner to celebrate their arrival, and it was here the dishes came out. Salads, barbecue meats, Sardinian wine and local cheeses. My Nan and Grandad were very keen cooks. Despite being from an older generation, it was perfectly normal for my Grandad to cook for everyone. This took the Mayor's family by surprise and is what I consider the beauty of cultural exchanges.

The Sardinian visit resulted in the two families creating a strong bond. Letters would arrive every year, along with a Christmas card, and when I was 13 I was introduced to them. A group of 15 Sardinians all having fun with my Nan and Grandad despite the language barrier. We had a garden barbecue, our British take on the Italian approach. My Grandad stood over the barbecue while my Nan and Mum made the salads.

Maria, the Sardinian wife of the Mayor, joined my Mum and shared her famous salad. This salad has remained in our family ever since. We often joke it was the salad that got the Mayor elected, it's that good!

My recent trip to Sardinia was to retrace some of this family history. The medal given to my grandparents all those years ago now sits proudly on my dashboard. It's a little nod that me and Steph are carrying on the family United Nations mission.

We explored the island and found a lot has changed. No longer are there bandits, just amazing trails to get off the beaten path. The coastal roads are twisty, with fresh tarmac and some of the best views I have ever seen. We would often find ourselves driving just five miles before pulling into the next little cove to enjoy a fresh perspective on the landscape. My advice is to travel out of season. April was perfect for us.

Sadly, we lost contact with the family. The letters disappeared during my grandparents' house clearance, and they didn't have the internet at the time. I'm sure one day we'll bump into them on the island. I cooked this salad while I was in Sardinia and shared it with a local, hoping they might point me towards the family who started it all.

The salad has now become a favourite for all BBQ’s. I personally like it with a steak and a tomato salad. Everyone always asks for the recipe, so here it is! After 40 years, the secret is out and incredibly simple.

Sardinian BBQ with the best side salads!

Method - Broccoli, Bacon and Mozzarella Salad.

• Place a frying pan over a medium-high heat and cook the pancetta until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  
  
• Add the broccoli florets and toss for 1–2 minutes. You're not looking to cook them through – just lightly toast them in the pancetta fat and catch a little colour on the edges while keeping the broccoli crisp.
  
  
• Transfer the broccoli to a large serving bowl with the crispy pancetta.
  
  
• Drizzle over a little good-quality balsamic vinegar.
  
  
• Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and scatter through the salad.
  
  
• Squeeze over a generous amount of good-quality mayonnaise, season well with freshly cracked black pepper and gently fold everything together until lightly coated.
  
  
• Finish with a generous handful of roughly chopped toasted hazelnuts for extra crunch and a subtle nuttiness.
  
  
• Leave the salad to rest for 15–20 minutes before serving. As it sits, the broccoli gently softens as it absorbs the dressing and balsamic, taking away its raw edge while still retaining a satisfying crunch.
  
  

Serve alongside a simply grilled steak and caprese salad. Padron Peppers and charred spring onions are also a nice addition to the grilled steak!

Subscribe to our newsletter and get the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox.