subject: Cooking Ideas For The Campground [print this page] Many people enjoy camping for the simple fact that it provides a means to escape the sometimes over whelming life styles they lead. Time to relax and enjoy the outdoors is easily found while camping. But just because you're living outside doesn't mean you can't enjoy good food. With a little planning a head of time enjoying great tasting food cooked outdoors is possible.
Cooking over an open fire is most certainly an option but cooking on a camp stove is certainly easier and takes a lot less time to become comfortable with. Regulating heat and obtaining a stable level platform to hold pans is most often difficult over a open camp fire. Gas camp stoves are relatively cheap and as easy to cook on as the range in your kitchen is. For baking a cast iron dutch oven works very well and this method of cooking can work with a smaller camp fire without a lot of practice. When planning meals a head time take note of the utensils needed along with other cookware items and not only will items not be forgotten at home, but extra items will not have to be packed either. Such items may include forks, spoons, plastic plates and cups, spatula, tin can opener, and storage containers for food items.
By planning meals ahead of time you will know just how much food to bring along with knowing how much cooler space will be needed. Bringing foods that won't spoil is always a good idea especially in the hotter months of summer and include items nuts, bread, granola, peanut butter, potatoes, and dried fruits. Fresh foods to consider that are easily cooked outside on a portable grill include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken kabobs, vegetables, steak, and fish. Several days before leaving making your own ice using gallon ice cream pails will also save money. Screened tents placed over a picnic table provide the perfect shelter for foot items, food preparation, and eating.
Whether cooking over a campfire or grill tinfoil packs are a great way to cook a variety a variety of meals. Vegetable packs can be made with cut up potatoes and carrots along with onion for extra flavoring. Just smear butter on the tinfoil, add vegetables, and tightly fold. To make fish in a foil pack smear a lighter coating of butter on the tinfoil, season with salt and pepper. Olive oil can also be substituted for the butter and adds a more unique flavor to the fish. Of course don't forget the hot dog sticks for making quick snacks or roasting marshmallows with. Another favorite of many kids are fruit pies that can be made with a Hobo pie irons.
