When you’re camping, the cookout is THE THING. Nobody’s got an appointment to run off to, there’s no TV, no WIFI. This is it – so you’ll want to get it right. You’ll have beautiful scenery, the sound of wind rustling throught the trees and waves lapping gently at the shore…what you won’t have is a refrigerator, electricity or your pantry.
If you’re the one who’s primarily responsible for the meals, keep in mind that cooking outdoors isn’t a super efficient way to get dinner on the table. It’s going to take some time – so plan accordingly. Have a plan as to when you want to start to avoid racing a quickly setting sun.
Before you strike a match to light a fire or charcoals make sure you have everything you need. You NEVER want to leave a fire once it’s started. Make a checklist of all the items you’ll need and create a work station for yourself. First think about your tools: a cutting board, knife, spatula, spoon, pot holders, dish towels, cooking oil, tin foil, tongs, serving platter etc.
Next prep your food. Imagine you’re a chef on the Food Network. Think about how they make every recipe look so easy… it’s prep my friends. Pre-cut your veggies, pre-measure your ingredients and so on. Cooking over coals is trickier than your home stove and will require your undivided attention, make sure you’re not trying to do too many things at once.
Lastly, keep things simple. Plan to cook foods that are well -suited to the conditions and limitations you’ll encounter. If you’re camping for several days, consider perish-ability. Plan to cook more perishable foods early on. Rely on dry and canned goods to get you through the tail end of your trip.
Check out our post on packing the perfect cooler under the Insiders Guide on this website to ensure the food you pack stays safe, dry and edible.
Everyone thinks about packing a cooler, but be camp savvy and also pack a pantry: Include staples like canned baked beans, chili, hearty soups (Campbell’s Chunky Beef Stew), peanut butter and jelly, boxed mac and cheese, evaporated milk, canned tuna, stewed tomatoes, cooking oil, salt and pepper, spices (powered onion, granulated garlic and some old Bay), a can of mixed nuts, onions, potatoes, green peppers, apples, rice, assorted pastas, jarred salsa, vinegar, tortilla chips, Frito’s, corn/flour tortillas, granola and instant oatmeal. You’ll have everything you need to cook reasonably satisfying meals – even if your perishables go south.
If all else fails..but you have your pantry, you’ll still have options: Tuna Mac And Cheese, Frito Pie, Warm Beef Stew Over Rice, Hot Baked Potatoes Topped With Chili, Granola Bars, Apples, and Chips and Salsa for snacking.
See our companion post:Outdoor Recipes
