I was just curious what others are eating besides what is generally considered typical camping food such as dogs and burgers. For us it seems every time we go camping we have spaghetti. I'm hoping I can get some ideas of some new things to try while out camping.
I'm a HUGE fan of prepping dishes at home as much as I can for camping. I like making Lasagna, casseroles, and prepping meat for ribs or stews at home. Then freeze and pack to grab at the drop of a hat when we decide to go camping. We have had some mighty tasty gourmet meals when we camp, especially when we potluck with a group of friends. My mother is always wowed when she camps with us and sees how well we eat.
Cheryl
> Besides spaghetti, we sometimes cook fresh vegetables with pasta and add a pre-made sauce of some sort.
> Our PUP has an outside propane grill, so on special occasions, we will grill some steaks or chops.
>For a quick and easy breakfast when trying to get on the road early, we mix dry seven grain cereal or plain oatmeal with flavored yogurt and some fruit or nuts if we have them. We picked this up from a young couple while bicycling down the Coast of Oregon several years ago. It tastes much better than it sounds.
Olive Garden potato soup made in a propane crock pot.
(http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/2184/2194902680043540764S200x200Q85.jpg)
On the vast majority of our outings there's supposed to be some (well, at least ONE) fish fry; but I have to admit, however, there have been some disappointments!
So when heading out for a long week-end (or longer), we take the first night's meal aready prepared from home and simply requires heating up. From there the "rations" break down into a couple of categories ~ fresh provisions that are brought from home or bought enroute and require the ice box to keep. Then there are those that are kept aboard the camper for the season and replaced as consumed. The freah stuff would be like bacon, eggs and such for breakfast, cheese, lunch meat and the like for sandwiches and for supper we'll do the spaghetti and maybe even chile soup. There's the charcoal grill or even the fire pit for steaks and chicken breasts. We do get carried away with the dutch oven and prepare evening meals in it quite often. All major cooking is done outdoors and should we be forced inside then meals go to the heating up status and that would be simply heating something up (like soup) or boiling water. We also like those instant oatmeal packets with different flavors. I try to keep on board the camper enough sealed food stuffs that would last a three day week end. Even carry the powdered milk packets that will make a quart of milk and is surprisingly good for a fat free milk product ... tastes just like it was 1%!
Hey ... don't forget the fish. In that case there's always a couple of tins of sardines!
Fly
Ours favorite camping meal is rib eye steak, lobster, baked potatoes and broccoli cooked on the grill. Unfortunately we only have this one when we are in Maine.:)
We like making country fried steak in a cast iron skillet . Chorizo and eggs or chorizo and whole pinto beans with tortillas, yummy, i'm making myself hungry
One very memorable pot-luck we shared had smoked pork loin (I think), fried turkey, a seafood boil, and un-baked potatoes. ;) It's great to camp with friends who have cool toys along to cook with.
We like making breakfast burritos, and grill a lot - burgers, steaks, chicken, pork. And our new favorite quick meal for arrival nights (because it's usually late when we are finally set up and ready to eat) is chicken ceasar salad. We buy one of those bags with everything in it, and add chicken strips. Quick, easy and no fuss.
I'm a fan of using my crockpot so when we're gone sightseeing or something all day Saturday, I don't have to come back and still cook. I've made both chile and tri-tip roast in the crockpot.
The first night I try to do something easy, and roast beef sandwiches are my standby (though I've overdone it and the kids are begging for something different!).
I've also made stir fry chicken, vegetables and rice.
I try not to subscribe to the thought that since I'm camping, we have to eat junk.
When I lived in Vegas I used to go to the Nascar race each year. I went two friends that had motorhomes that we had infield spots for. The Saturday dinner was generally steak as well as other meats. Sunday breakfast was burritos with whatever meat was left over from dinner the night before. It was good and nothing went to waste.
well I too try to cook things ahead of time. for me if I spend the whole weekend cooking and doing dishes, then that's not fun. I could stay home & do that :eyecrazy:
but I must say, if you want to eat like a king, go to a SCCampers potluck..yum yum. You will find tri-tip, carnitas, chicken enchiladas, sloppy joe's..I could just keep on going..
We also do quite a bit of food prep before leaving. My wife is an AWESOME gourmet cook, camping AND at home. :D If we're camping close to home, we're more likely to kick dinner up a notch. Different pastas with fresh vegatables and various sauces are a family favorite. Sometimes we'll throw in some grilled chicken. When we're farther from home, it's fun to adjust the cooking to use fresh local ingredients.
My favorite camping breakfast is chorizo, egg and cheese burritos. YUM!
Now I'm hungry! :D
Quote from: cycloneOne very memorable pot-luck we shared had smoked pork loin (I think), fried turkey, a seafood boil, and un-baked potatoes. ;) It's great to camp with friends who have cool toys along to cook with.
That shrimp boil was awesome. (thanks Skip).I have done that since when we do our annual Mothers Day outing.
Another of our favs is Buffalo Tenderloin marinated and cooked over the campfire (I bring chunks of cherry wood just for cooking on)
DW marinates a pork roast with a bottle of Italian Dressing in a ziploc bag. Then we put it on the charcoal grill (I'm still practicing cooking over the fire). We then add a vegetable and potatoes & onions.
We've dragged along a turkey fryer.
We've deep fried doughnuts. Use bisquit dough like the pillsbury bisquits in the can, and cut a small hole in the middle. Fry up and then toss in a bag filled with cinnamon & sugar.
Cheers, JC
Quote from: cycloneOne very memorable pot-luck we shared had smoked pork loin (I think), fried turkey, a seafood boil, and un-baked potatoes. ;) It's great to camp with friends who have cool toys along to cook with.
I'm not very creative when camping. I'm always happy when the kids and I make it somewhere and get the camper set up without any blood shed. ;)
For DD3's birthday last year she wanted meat loaf and baked potatoes. It will probably never happen again ... BUT I did it. Meat loaf, baked potatoes and corn on the cob all cooked over an open fire and done (to perfection) at the same time! It was wonderful! (see Jan ~ I can bake the potatoes when properly motivated! ;) ~ not that I'm admitting to anything! :p)
We camp frequently with a group from Minnesota and I just love seeing what shows up at the potlucks.
all i have to say is hobo pies. i take like 2-3 loafs of bread, eggs, cheese, any meat you want, pbj, pizza fixings, and of corse my kids fav when were in the yard pie filling and the ever improtant HURSHEY's bar's. other then that any thing that can go between bread and fresh fruit. but my absolute fav is hot sausage grilled on a stick!!
Hot dogs, baked beans and beer :)
I once made the mistake of frying shrimp and hushpuupies,now my wife makes sure we have it every trip.
we still use the campfire to cook all our meals, when possible. so, keeping with that, our favorite oddities include:
- marinaded london broil (flank steak) with fried onoin
or
-marinaded sirloin tips with onoin and potato wedges, hobo-style cooked in aluminum foil
-seasoned, fresh lamb chops on the grill
Homemade pizza cooked on a brinkman smoker, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, fried oyster po-boys, smoked brisket, shrimp creole, boiled shrimp, crabs and crawfish. Ya know just typical stuff.
CajunCamper
Quote from: CajunCamperHomemade pizza cooked on a brinkman smoker, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, fried oyster po-boys, smoked brisket, shrimp creole, boiled shrimp, crabs and crawfish. Ya know just typical stuff.
CajunCamper
I want to camp with you!!!!!!!!!! :!
We are lucky enough to live near an Italian bread bakery and market - we always have sandwiches with their bread & store-made sausage (cooked over grill or fire). We bring peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes from our garden and grill them in a foil packet with a little olive oil. I also try to stop at a farm stand along the way and buy some fresh fruit (to try and counter the effects of all the roasted marshamallows that follow the sausage). Also did I mention cold beer to wash it all down? :D
Quote from: CajunCamperHomemade pizza cooked on a brinkman smoker, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, fried oyster po-boys, smoked brisket, shrimp creole, boiled shrimp, crabs and crawfish. Ya know just typical stuff.
Quote from: AZsixI want to camp with you!!!!!!!!!! :!
Ain't that the truth!!! When and where are you camping next, Cajun? :p
Quote from: PopupperHot dogs, baked beans and beer :)
Yeah, I'm down with that.
I've been through my "camp gourmet cooking" period doing complicated recipes with elaborate ingredients in out-of-the-way places. Been there -done that.
I think the real challenge is eating well using fewest ingredients, least prep time, least clean up and shelf-stable foods.
Here're two from my canoeing days. (Notice they're over-a-fire, one pot using foods that don't need refrigeration or special care.)
Crab Alfredo : Mix up a pack of Lipton's Alfredo mix with two cans of canned crab. Add two tbl. of dry sherry (NOT cooking sherry, the drinking kind).
Beef stew: Saute onions and garlic in olive oil, add a can or two of beef stew (your choice), can of carrots and peas.
I also dehydrate cooked ground beef in quantity to add to canned sauces for no-frig spaghetti, tacos and sloppy joes.
Quote from: AZsixFor us it seems every time we go camping we have spaghetti. I'm hoping I can get some ideas of some new things to try while out camping.
Many years ago we discovered the ultimate POWER BREAKFAST while camping. After having spaghetti for dinner we packed the extra pasta in the cooler. The next morning we fried the pasta in bacon grease along with some onions and peppers. Top this with a couple of eggs with runny yokes and you have the ultimate in tasty high carb meals to start the day.
Being a long-time scouter - I LOVE my dutch ovens. Two - one larger, one smaller, they nest inside each other to travel.
Some classic favorites - easy and yummy!
Lasagna - trick to this one is cook the noodles at home, drain and store in a plastic baggie. Make the sauce at home, too - and 'baggie' it. (these can actually be made way ahead and frozen!) When you get to camp, line the DO with heavy-duty tinfoil (easy clean up) and layer the sauce, cheese, pasta; sauce, cheese, pasta - make sure you start and end with sauce. put the DO on a few coals with a few coals on top, and THEN set up camp. take the 2nd (smaller) DO and put in some ready-to-bake crescent rolls inside a round cake pan, Stack the smaller DO ON TOP of the coals on the big DO lid, and place a few more coals on the smaller lid, Dinner is ready in about 15 min after the rolls go on.
Easy Dutch Oven apple pie -
two frozen, uncooked pie shells,
3-5 granny smith apples,
1 stick of butter,
Cinnamon,
1/3 c sugar. (or, we keep 'cinnamon sugar' pre mixed in a shaker, we like it on toast with peaches, on french toast or on oatmeal, good for cobbler, too)
Take one pie shell, still in it's aluminum pie plate. peel and core apples. slice apples VERY THIN (1/4 " or so) and layer not too thick to cover bottom of pie shell. slice thin pats of butter over these apple slices, and sprinkle with cinamon & sugar. Keep layering apples, butter pats, and Cinnamon sugar until mounded about 1 1/2" or 2 " above top of pie shell edge.
Take 2nd pie shell in pan and invert over apples. remove the aluminum pie plate, pinch the edges sealed, and cut 4 or 5 slits in top crust for escaping steam.
take the EMPTY aluminum pie tin and put it in the bottom of your DO upside down, place the pie on top of this. (the empty tin raises the bottom crust off the hot bottom of the DO, so your pie doesn't burn) put coals under the bottom and the top of the DO to raise to approx 350 degrees. Bake approx 40 min, or until top crust is golden brown and juice bubbles thru top slits.
Eat when cooled enough that you don't burn your mouth & fingers - it'll be hard to wait! the smell will bring your camping neighbors over, so be prepared with extra bowls & forks. Esp good if you pick up a pint of french vanilla ice cream to go with it!
I often cook at home in the summer with my DO's and coals in the backyard firepit, or my small tabletop weber grill, rather than heat up the kitchen. Cleanup is so much easier, and we usually eat in our screen house on the back porch. When the neighbors smell a sweet cobbler or cinnamon-y pie, they know it's an open invite to come over for dessert, ice tea and a visit!
Laura