Cooking out the Back of my NEW Van

I give my new van a test run in preparation for doing a full van camper conversion. I go foraging wild mushrooms and cook up a tasty snack in the back of the van!
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Fried Chicken of the Woods Recipe - foragerchef.co...

[@Robi.95]

The mix of butter and oil is for the butter to not get smokey, the smoking point of butter is really low so the oil helps out with that :D

[@hughjarse2909]

@@CarpMan34 😂😂😂😂😂 😎

[@Robi.95]

@@CarpMan34 you must be fun at parties

[@joetrp-3553]

Oil prevents the butter from burning

[@tubeMonger]

@@joetrp-3553 yeah, the oil prevents the milk solids in the butter from burning.

[@runerune-_-9727]

@@CarpMan34 hahaha

[@ReifStuartMMA]

yo ive never been this early. big fan and cant wait to see more of the van

[@Welzh]

You know its going to be a good morning when Alex uploads a video

[@pip5461]

I've watched most of the vlogs with you and Carl... it took the boredom out of having to stay in due to covid. I remember the first fish I caught, a Perch. Only I didn't know how to handle it whilst de-hooking it. I learned the hard way... The first time that I went night fishing was worse still, as the only thing I caught in the dark was a Bat whilst casting out.The first time I did any sea fishing, was off a pier in W-s-M, once again all I caught were eels and crabs. I don't think I'm cut out for fishing, I'll stick to my rallying...it's much more fun and I don't get hurt too often. Looking forward to following your ventures in the van, once you've done your carpentry and wiring.

[@jasmijnariel]

14:15... And its still spring. The first thing i saw was the color and my reaction was *oooh no* 😂

[@TheCraftyCarper]

I just want to say thanks for all the amazing videos and effort you put into make them

[@jacquesrose9289]

Get some bulkhead covers as that really helps with audio quality in the front and keeps it quieter when driving. Carpet covered ones are a reasonable cost but they are so worth it.

[@thekoichannel264]

Keep the conversion simple, cover the ply with stretch lining and the floor with rubber checker plate. Fit power points for charging. Carp bed to one side with boxes underneath for clothes, cutlery ect and a big plug in cool box trapped in the passenger side footwell 👌

[@jasmijnariel]

I have a rubber base, but lines alone ... it has amazing grip, most of all rubber flooring you can buy. I tested a lot, cause i have to transport wheelchairs in my caddy maxi

[@matthewpatterson9184]

Another great instalment, Alex. Looking forward to seeing the camper conversion over the next few months.

[@Biking4Fun]

Hey Alex apparently some trees have a mast year where the produce an overabundance of sap and whatnot that's when you are more likely to find mushrooms growing on them, that's why you when back to the same place and didn't find the chicken of the woods, all trees have different mast years. The one you have found seems to have a 3 or 4 years wait between mast years. Hope that helps 🙏 🙂

[@jasmijnariel]

You did a great job with buying it... i have one and love camping/fishing with it. My bellyboat fits easely inflated

[@mattgrazia]

Great video Alex. Have been enjoying your posts very much. Thanks for letting us come along.

[@scottwilson7403]

Ok so just watching your vids. I have travelled all over the world pre internet. Love what u are doing. Just moved to Wales so i have started exploring again. Soo much to see and do in Wales.

[@JamesFosterSailing]

Your videos are really calming and wholesome. Thank you for helping me relax!

[@just_alex]

Thanks so much :)

[@hughjarse2909]

@@just_alex Hey ,so the fungess that grows on Silver Birch trees is really good for keeping midges and mosquitoes away from ewe, just put it on top off the gas burner or build a fire and fling it on .Great video as usual ,getting more views than your bro 😂😂😎 check out "Mav" on KZbin he's just done a conversion on the back off his van

[@EFTProf]

Hi guys and welcome to Suffolk! You may not be passing by us, as we !I've in the West of the county - HAVERHILL! You at see it on sign posts pointing to the left..... Unless You've taken a wrong turn along the way! Good luck with the trip, we will be following your progress!!

[@ajinkyam94]

Just waited for this it’s early here at this end of the world love it keep it Alex you make my day Peace ✌️

[@olskabeams2843]

i dont usally watch these sorta vids, but ur videos are just so soothing and calm to watch.

[@just_alex]

Glad you liked it!

[@deepwoodguy2]

New van looks really great...Wild garlic. i was watching " History With Hilbert" Uk u tube.. and he would eat some wild garlic that was growing in abundance along he's path from Uni...First time i ever heard of "wild garlic"...USA here... thanks Alex for the video...👍👍

[@gordonmculloch4904]

A tarp fixed with magnet hooks to your tailgate will give you shelter while cooking, as well as a wind shield. A 3 x 2 meter tarp will cover about half. Two of these size tarps will totally enclose the back area under the door. This will give you privacy for showering etc. 👍

[@user-nl7vz4wt3t]

Hi Alex. One tip buddy... Don't buy fuel from Shell petrol stations. They're generically higher than everywhere else. My tip for cheaper prices would be to buy from a superstore like Tesco (They usually track lower than the main suppliers) and make sure you have a club card so you get points off for food to put towards your road trip. (it's not much, but more savy way of buying fuel than from shell!) Asda fuel is cheaper still sometimes if these stores are nearby to you? 👍😎

[@jaa7286]

Gotta love hanging w/ Just Alex! I've been looking forward to that gloriously satisfying Veg segment. The endless sight of bluebells was truly a sight to behold and I could hear Alex say cilantro... I mean "coriander" all day

[@Abeyptfc]

great video man, good to see you testing out the new whip!

[@chambers326]

Adding oil and butter keeps your butter from burning. Its that simple. Love your content!!

[@Rich..]

Great videos Alex, keep them coming! Looking forward to seeing this channel grow!

[@FatGucciBaby]

You're an infectiously positive guy mate, love the videos thanks for sharing :)

[@just_alex]

Cheers!

[@ryanrichardson9044]

If u want abit more room pull the bulkhead out can slide seats forward n creates a fair bit more room

[@sa-carp-angler4640]

Plz do a 48 hour camping next to a lake with ur rods and make a nice long vid also maybe try a duget challenge 😉 😀

[@team3383]

Walking is good for you. Keep it up ! Was going to mention that. Some kind of ventilation on the roof/one side of the van to keep it cool and fresh air would be useful and also paint the roof white because it'll be cooking when you travel Europe ! You can easily cook eggs on a car during summer.

[@IanMchale]

Loving the channel mate.Can’t wait to see you van finished .👍👍

[@mr.magnussen1289]

I really enjoyed the peaceful and clean video. Very relaxing and sets a vibe of the nature.

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@AdventureswithaaronB]

Looking forward to ur adventure mate

[@mantisman760]

Another very interesting and relaxing video. Really pleased your so happy with your new van. X

[@SteveMartin1971]

Alex you have the motivation/drive and enthusiasm of a 21st century Chris Yates in the making . Your videos are a breath of fresh air fella and a great watch . Stay safe , keep that love for life and enjoy . Tight lines when next on the bank mate .. Steve M

[@just_alex]

Thanks 👍

[@iEryx1]

The camera and editing work In these videos is incredible. Makes it a great watch. Keep up the good work.

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@deustezza323]

yes brilliant videos Alex keep them bud 👍

[@Clickerbarmicker]

Half oil half butter is to stop the butter burning, love the channel bro

[@kittyss2371]

Ohhh my god.. the look at hos face when he found chicken of the forest.. so cute.. 😉

[@jonappleseed5270]

just want to say congrats on your new van. and love the videos, wishing you the best and success

[@tomstockton6865]

Alex… In regards to the sound system, caddy’s are really easy to upgrade and you can fit a small subwoofer under your seat which will give you the bass your looking for :) Also you can get really nice head units for a reasonable price online. This will allow you to have Apple car play and maps etc. worth looking to :)

[@just_alex]

Oh nice. I may have to upgrade it. :)

[@MrWrob32]

The van looks massive next to the polo. Great to see you so happy and excited 👍👍

[@just_alex]

Cheers!

[@joefallon6767]

You should get a 12v cooler box ,great piece of kit and dosnt take up to much room

[@ZebbanEkb]

In sweden we can't pick tree growing mushrooms without permission of the land owner. Ground growing is a "free for all" though.

[@dt1607]

Good Old Foraging Knife looks Brand New Alex. 😁

[@just_alex]

I carefully clean it between foraging trips. :)

[@dan-4033]

Hey Alex, I gave you some points on the Wagyu a while back that you replied to (The Chef!). Happy to give you a few other recipes of my own and points to get the best out of ground finds like mushrooms and COTW!

[@Noxx_Jones]

If it's sunny I get shade, If it's raining I get shade. Alex seems to like his shade even if it's raining 😅 Good luck on converting the van, hyped for these videos! Stay safe and awesome Alex.

[@just_alex]

Haha. I messed up my words... again! Lol

[@TheFROSTER420]

This rig needs a roof rack,you could strap a folding table up there. All kinds of stuff!

[@clarissategido5154]

Another great vedio Alex 🥰 looking forward to the next adventure 😘

[@robvernon2459]

Straps for securing things in the back! Heavy braking and steering will have stuff flying everywhere and possibly breaking. 👍

[@checkyourself164]

At 4:10 onwards, your pump was reading almost 2£ per litre. While the shell sign in the background showed diesel at 1.79 per litre. I think you accidentally put Vpower diesel in Alex, you don't need that in a caddy! Save your pennies and use regular diesel, sometimes it's not super obvious that it's the premium pump (exactly for this reason)

[@just_alex]

Yep I messed up there. Completely unaware of that till I edited the video!

[@joeltaylor2830]

That van is a serious unit. Nice work on the 'shrooms too. Some foldable bowls could be a good addition - I've just got one for washing up / mixing food when outdoors. Could be useful and save space. It's a Dutch army foldable bowl and they're quite cheap. Might be useful to have even as a backup or just for washing up, as they're less fragile than glass or ceramics.

[@just_alex]

Cheers for the tips! :)

[@alexorr2626]

VAN GANG FOREVER.

[@claudexy]

hi alex.. i enjoyed your video..:) thanks. and i agree about the fuel. put regular. and if you want, you can put some injector cleaner twice a year in your gas tank. doesn't cost much. ps...for my truck, i have to insert a small funnel (you should have one with the jack) in your fuel opening or the cleaner will spill on the ground. take care buddy...:)

[@markhoulding1938]

The oil stops the butter burning 👍

[@MrAnderson321]

Great video Alex, I’m now chilled…😎

[@just_alex]

Nice!

[@gammingwithtommy6615]

its the other way round its the egg then flower so then when u put it in the egg the flower wont fall off

[@thegeneral7594]

I'm lovin this new venture Alex, channels doin well contents great ,thanks for the hours editing and uploads keeping the dreamers dreams alive big love the general

[@just_alex]

Happy to hear you appreciate the editing hours! :)

[@thegeneral7594]

@@just_alex lol I know the pain keep up the great work young man

[@richtwog]

I can tell that you have a nice camera that can shoot some nice quality, so for a tip, when exporting your video after you're done editing, export it at a higher bitrate to retain all of the quality and it will look much nicer when uploaded. Have you noticed the "grainy"/"pixelated" bits in some shots? well that is why

[@MancunianDrummer4hire]

Get that van converted to run off cooking oil, mate. Another great video. Be cool to see your first 48 hour survival/ foraging vid, catch a trout, some wild eatables, and live like a journeyman

[@lees9401]

Nice one Alex. Looking forward to upcoming vids. Great channel

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@roseneiger1251]

Belle man with a van 😄 love your videos ,looking good in new hat ,get use to driveing before your trip ,

[@kenziebell2104]

Hey Alex, you should do that again. BUT this time put all the ingredients into a brioche bun with a little bit of mayonnaise also. It will taste AMAZING! I promise you

[@dannybarr8436]

Imagine the woods being your supermarket, sure thats how its supposed to be. Well done buddy 👍

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@colinbailey6236]

Brilliant video Alex..my wife and I really enjoy these ❤️ keep on keeping on 👍

[@just_alex]

Good to hear that Colin! :)

[@liamspencer7113]

Also alex look into getting a roof rack tent they are amazing for small camper vans like yours

[@cee-jayscarpingadventurena3741]

Alex my old China plate. 1st thing I have to say is thank you for showing me about the chicken of the woods I actually love it and prefer it to shop mushrooms 🍄. I have a old plum tree on my syndicate lake that has two massive chicken of the woods growing on it so last week I went and cut some to have with my bacon and eggs let's just say the chicken of the wood was eaten 1st yum flipping yum . Iv now been a got a mushroom book you got me hooked lol . If you need help with doing the sound system let me know as I worked in the car hifi industry for 5 years and will be happy to help you out bro . Big love Cee-Jay 🎣🎣🎣👊🍄🍄

[@lyonsden7830]

I just wanted to let you know that I have really been enjoying all of your videos since you have gone out on your own and I just wanted to let you know that so keep on killing it and I can't wait to see what you come up with next till then stay safe

[@just_alex]

Thanks so much! Makes me happy to read this comment!

[@CichlidSat]

Great channel, mate. Keep it up!

[@johnharder5618]

Here in Ohio , USA I am collecting both Chicken of the Woods and Morell mushrooms Both are great eating

[@ETYSURF]

Love your honesty alex

[@Yoeshi]

Hello Alex, The reason they add oil to butter is because oil has a much higher burning temperature. The butter burns much less quickly because of this. In my experience, it is best to use Arachideoil because it barely gives a taste to your dish .... Keep on with your videos because I enjoy them!👌👍👍

[@just_alex]

Cheers for the info.

[@jordangladden7749]

Loving the new videos

[@trevorcornes1056]

Another Great interesting watch Alex. And a Lovely van too 😄👍 keep um coming .

[@just_alex]

Cheers!

[@joetrp-3553]

That's an awesome dinner Alex!

[@madformorgan7848]

Great vid. Looking forward to the van build. Great hat by the way.

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@natureisallpowerful]

I've been out foraging, everything is shooting up now. I've been getting st George's mushrooms and spring field / pavement mushrooms. Loving the van life / foraging and cooking nature stuff. My type of thing 👍🌳🌿🍄⛺🐟🌍🥕

[@just_alex]

Great to hear. Plenty more of this coming soon!

[@exploreendurodiscover8775]

Think you really need to consider a pop top before you start converting the rest of your van loving the channel content 👌

[@rhyspercey3880]

Great vid again Alex, congrats on 50k subs

[@just_alex]

Thanks!!!

[@garyeccleston6789]

You have to be a fan of river cottage.... I have to say that you are a pretty cool fella

[@patrick12Q]

If it was me I would upgrade the stereo system before you go on your long strip abroad with the van good sounding music with good bass will help pass the time if your go to be driving lots miles in one day you probably could pick up something second hand to save money

[@EunosRoadster91]

Alex, you dispensed the V-power diesel at 195.9p per liter. Next time use the regular diesel at a cost of £78.76 for the same amount of fuel (43L or so) at that Shell garage. Even better... shop around for supermarket fuel (Asds, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury) which is significantly cheaper per liter. Thanks for the great content 👍

[@just_alex]

Yeah that was an accident! Oops!

[@shinuizabusa2180]

Lovely. I have to search for that Chicken of the Woods in my area. But for now Brooktrout with wild garlic and lemon it is. Cheers buddy

[@just_alex]

Yum that sounds tasty!

[@shinuizabusa2180]

@@just_alex It is :D my favorite in the springtime for the last 15 years or so

[@tymofisher943]

You should look for the st George’s mushrooms

[@just_alex]

I’ve been looking! Found a few last year but none yet this spring.

[@russelltownley7404]

lovely little vid alex, i thoroughly enjoyed it keep doing your thing alex its so refreshing cheers russell

[@luckycatch365]

Awesome video Alex can wait for more content 👍 Also have you ever looked into star gazing 🔭? It’s amazing to see other planets and galaxy’s

[@RichardB_Uk]

A roof box would be good for extra storage and maybe parking sensors

[@just_alex]

Yeah I need parking sensors! Haha

[@trevsweb]

Do more mini camping as you will find out what works and what doesn't in the van. Like the oil cooking

[@gscoda4103]

I Carnt believe u just went in the woods and found urself a meal wtf brave man 😂

[@rickb1987]

I love watching this. Tx

[@hammartid]

Love that I’ve stumbled on your channel, you make great videos

[@M-attc1626]

Hey Alex made the wild garlic pesto from your last cooking vid, fave lunch to have the smell has half the office envying me at lunch

[@just_alex]

Great! :)

[@markwilliamson660]

Mate I was sceptical if you'd made the right decision when you chose to leave Carl & Alex, but hats of to you, love it when I see an upload from you. Great videos, great perspective on life 🙌🙌🙏

[@just_alex]

Thanks Mark! Appreciate it!

[@ruaridhhall9562]

A lot of people put the hob on a fire blanket to make less mess in the van

[@gonzalosandovalcastro5794]

hte hat looks dope, i got one for fishing.

[@samz2sik]

Just in time for my commute! Keep it up, love the content!

[@AndrewLomax80]

Finally some more leg room for you, looks great mate. Loving the content

[@just_alex]

Cheers!

[@richturner5477]

5:05 = this guy is special!!

[@just_alex]

Yup..

[@dolphins19671]

I love this type of content, thanks for posting 👍🏻

[@just_alex]

Cheers for watching!

[@leegarner6013]

Dunno why I watched all of this I hate mushrooms! But as long as you enjoyed it. Good luck with the conversion and here’s to plenty of adventures 🍻

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@loudpipessavelives]

Eggs from Chicken on the Ground xD Can´t wait for your first night in Van , greetings from Germany ! Maybe you replace the wooden floor with stainless steel, easy to clean

[@gordonmillsjr.1957]

I love chicken of the woods, but the first time I cooked it (very similar recipe to yours) I didn’t cook them long enough. 10 minutes after eating them I came over very dizzy, had tingling in my lips and felt sick - thought I was a gonner! After the initial panic had subsided, the symptoms very quickly went away though. The moral of the story?… Just make sure you cook your chicken of the woods for at least 10 minutes (as long as you’d cook real chicken) and don’t pick them from toxic trees (like yew). Loving your new channel Alex, keep it up mate. 👍

[@just_alex]

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that bad experience!