harleywolf this quirky thread is for you.

[CajunCamper]

Okay let's keep the conversation going by talking about our prefered method of cooking while on camping trips and just as important, why you prefer your method of choice. Do you cook inside your pop up or outside. Do you use the stove that came with your pop up, or do you use something else. Do you bring a smoker, gas bbq pit or a charcoal pit. Do you cook over an open fire or use electric appliances such as electric grills, fry pans and crock pots, or do you prefer a dutch oven and camp ovens.

When we tent camped we cooked a lot over an open fire (and loved it) by bringing our own grill to place over fire or by building a keyhole fire pit and placing dutch ovens over hot coals. We also used our coleman stove on those tent camping trips as well.

When we bought our pop up we cooked on the stove that came with the pop up both inside and outside as well as bbq pits provided at campgrounds.

Over the years we seem to have gotten back to our roots of cooking over open fire when we can or using our trusty coleman stove, or bbq pits.

Cooking and eating is a big part of our camping experience especially this time of the year with cooler temps. We usually camp with other families and dinner time becomes somewhat of an event to cook together enjoy each others company and play cards, dominos, and keep the campfire stoked. We don't rush the cooking because we take pride in serving up great food at our campouts. Breaking bread with family and good friends in the great outdoors is one of life's simple pleasures.

Man, I'm ready to go camping now.

Happy eating and happy camping.

CajunCamper

[harleywolf]

Too funny Cajun

We cook all sorts of ways. When we tent camped we brought our Coleman stove and later added a professional grade Camp Chef free standing stove (that thing kicks butt!), We also brought the large coal grill from the back yard. We cooked over the fire quite frequently as well. We love to go all out for food when we camp so usually I am in the kitchen a day or two in advance (yup real men can cook too) brining chicken, rubbin

[AustinBoston]

My favorite is dutch oven cooking, but often that ends up being a lot of work.  But IMHO, it's worth it.  Stews, breads, breakfasts, roasts, and more.  MMMmmmm...Mountain Man Breakfast is a great start to the day.

Of course, we cook right over the fire.  That is a flavor that I don't get at home and I really enjoy it.  This could be burgers, packet meals, fish, camp pies, s'mores, steaks, corn on the cob, etc. (but not usually all of those at one meal).  IMHO, a lot of people who cook over wood or charcoal end up over-cooking the food.  If the burger is like a hockey puck, it's ruined.  PJay never ruins food.

A quick meal we can count on is Mrs. Claus casserole (throw a bunch of things in a skillet and cook until the meat is done).  This can be made with just about anything, but for us usually includes kilbasa, bacon, potatoes, broccholi, carrots, potatoes, and onions.  It may also include green beans, cauliflour, parsnips, and/or sausage.  Lots of room for variation on this.

We only use the inside stove if it's raining.  It takes forever to get enough heat from the inside stove to actually cook anything, so it's a last resort for us.

The first choice for fuel is wood in the fire pit.  Second would be charcoal on the DO table.  Third would be the outside stove, and fourth the inside stove.  We don't bring a microwave camping with us - that's just not camping.  On most trips, we aim for a bite of local flavor at least once, so a quality local restaurant is often on the menu.

Unfortunately, my words do not do justice to PJay's cooking.  My mother was a very good cook, and so I have a discriminating pallete.  Fortunately for me (and too bad for the rest of you) PJay is an even better cook than my mother was.  After 25 years, I can count on one hand the number of times she has cooked something I really didn't like, and not use most of the fingers!

Austin

[wernstriumph]

We use a combination of:
1. Dutch Oven- I try to use it at least once every trip whether it's just cornbread or an elaborate meal like pork loin.
2. Open Fire- We'll make burgers and dogs for lunch and then some ribs and sausage or chicken for dinner
3. Outside stove- This is usually for sidedishes and coffee(perc!), and pancakes and/or eggs.
 I used the inside stove ONCE to make potatoes and onions for breakfast and I couldn't get the smell out of the PUP for a couple of days!