Cooking on a Camp Stove at Halen Nature Reserve

The recipes - what you cook by the lake

Three dishes designed for the camp stove: straightforward to transport, quick to prepare and good enough to justify the walk. Everything is partly prepared at home — it saves time at the fire and keeps the rucksack manageable.

Mushroom ragout on crostini

4 portions · Camp stove · 15 min

Ingredients:

• 250 g chestnut mushrooms or chanterelles (chanterelles if you find them along the trail)
• 1 shallot
• Butter, plain flour, double cream
• Chanterelle stock, soy sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Crostini crackers
• Fresh chives or flat-leaf parsley

Method:

1. Finely chop the shallot and fry in butter until soft.
2. Add the mushrooms and fry on high heat until the liquid has cooked off.
3. Dust with flour and stir to a thick paste.
4. Add the cream, stock and a dash of soy. Simmer on a low heat until thickened.
5. Season and serve on crostini, topped with chopped chives.

Tip: Prep the shallot and mushrooms at home in a sealed container. Removes a step and a chopping board at the fire.

Halloumi pasta with salsa and sunflower seeds

4 portions · Camp stove · 20 min · Vegetarian

Ingredients:

• 400 g halloumi
• 400 g pasta (penne or rigatoni hold their shape best)
• 5 tomatoes plus a handful of sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 red onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 chilli
• Fresh lime, baby spinach, basil
• Sunflower seeds
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Cook the pasta in salted water. Dice the halloumi and add for the final minute.
2. Roughly chop the tomatoes, onion, garlic, chilli and herbs in a bowl. Squeeze over lime.
3. Drain the pasta and toss straight into the salsa. Add the spinach and let it wilt in the residual heat.
4. Scatter sunflower seeds on top and serve directly from the pot.

Tip: Mix the salsa at home and bring in a sealed container. The pasta can be half-cooked at home and finished on the camp stove.

Camp stoves and fire bans

A camp stove is permitted even during a fire ban - but always check the current fire risk level at SMHI and Länsstyrelsen Blekinge before you go. 

Choose a safe surface: flat rock, gravel or bare ground. Avoid dry leaves and vegetation. Add a few drops of water to the fuel tablet if the pot is sooting - it dampens the flame and reduces soot build-up.

About Frickabron

The bridge carries its name for a reason. Crown Constable Jöns Andreas Frick was out hunting in what is now Halen Nature Reserve. His dog caught a scent and ran out across the ice. Frick followed. The ice gave way. Both drowned - exactly where the bridge now hangs, in 1854.

His rifle was found on the ice. It passed through the family for generations and was donated to Olofström Museum at the bridge opening on 2 May 2020. The strait is still called Frickasundet.

The trail - half-day walk with a meal stop

Halenrundan - 5.7 km, green markers

The reserve's most popular trail. Starts at Halens Camping, crosses Frickabron and offers lake views at several points. Suitable for pushchairs but with a steep slope on the east side of the bridge. Best walked counter-clockwise.
 

Step by step:

1. Park at Halens Camping or Blåsevik car park.
2. Maps at the campsite reception or download via Naturkartan.
3. Follow green trail markers towards Frickabron.
4. Frickabron - viewpoint with a round table and barbecue area. Natural meal stop. Swimming is possible at the bridge abutment.
   Around the lake through quiet inlets and deciduous forest. The camp stove works anywhere along the trail.
5. Return via the campsite. The trail is lit for evening walks.

Other trails from Frickabron:

• Olsarundan - 6.7 km. Historical trail with cultural remains including Gullberg's cellar.
• Rödhultsrundan - 11.6 km. The longest loop. Wind shelter for overnight stays at Myllevik.

Paddle there instead

The canoe centre at Halens Camping hires out canoes and kayaks. Paddle to your meal stop, cook at the water's edge and paddle back. Lighter rucksack, same view. Ask the campsite about the current season and bookings.

Practical information:

• Starting point: Halens Camping, Olofström (car park, map, canoe hire and café on site)
• Frickabron: 83-metre suspension bridge, opened 2 May 2020
• Map: Available at Halens Camping or download via Naturkartan
• Tag with: #frickabron and #visitolofström

Closer to the lake. Closer to the flavours. Closer to the quiet you came here for. A cup of coffee at Frickabron when the meal is done. That is enough.