Campsite cooking?

[sookiesue]

If you aren't concerned about the weight of things you are carrying (car camping vs. backpacking) you could certainly use any heat-proof pots or pans you have at home on your stove. We do, all the time. However, if you have a small backpacking stove it can be tricky to balance the pots on the small burner. But if you have a larger, Coleman-type stove, you should be fine with anything.

The suggestion for pre-cooking and then freezing your meat seems like a good one. It can act like an ice-pack in your cooler while it is frozen, then you can warm it up when you want it.

We camp a lot (with kids) all summer long, so I have experimented with lots of meals and methods of cooking.

If you want to save time and energy when cooking at the campsite, you can pre-cook a lot of stuff. I often make burritos while camping. I pre-cook the rice so I just have to throw it in some hot water for a minute or two and then drain it. I make a bean/veggie mix at home so I don't have to carry packets of spices with me. If you want to save a step and you don't mind things all mixed together, you can even re-heat the rice with the bean mixture all in one pot, just add a little liquid to keep it from drying out. Add some cheese, tortillas, and salsa - and avocado for a deluxe version! - and you're set.

You can also par-boil pasta and travel with it, just throw it in some boiling water for a minute or two before you eat it. Or if you have a sauce you are bringing, you could even finish cooking it in the sauce, all in one pot! There are some decent jarred sauces out there, and if you throw in a few fresh veggies while it heats us, it seems like a healthier, homemade sauce.

If you're going to the store here and there, I love getting a piece of fish and cooking that in a little olive oil and some white wine (the rest is for drinking...) with whatever fresh veggies are tasty looking - green beans, yellow squash -- and some garlic. You can put it over pasta or just eat it with some good bread to soak up the sauce.

Eggs do travel pretty well. I pack mine in a plastic container to protect against breaking, and then I have a container to put leftovers in. Adding a couple scrambled eggs to the leftover bean mix from burritos makes a great, filling breakfast burrito the next day.

I'm sure I've sung the praises of these before, but I really love the oatcakes from Heidi Swanson's Super Natural Every Day cookbook. They freeze well, travel well (even smashed into a camelbak) and are full of nuts and coconut oil for a great energy boost on the trail/road ride. They are pretty high-calorie/high-fat as the recipe is written, so I don't recommend snacking on them without exercise! That said, the last batch I made, I used about half the oil, half the sugar, and substituted applesauce/baking powder for the eggs, and they were still tasty and a little easier on the calories. My kids love them, too! I hate walnuts so I use toasted cashews instead.

Your trip sounds like a lot of fun! I can't wait until my kids are old enough to do longer camping trips. Enjoy!

Susan

[Catrin]

Thank you for all of the good ideas! I will be camping solo, so that does simplify things. I will also have a few days off before heading for my camping trip so I will have time to precook a few things. I will start thinking now about what I want to take and start cooking/freezing in a week or so.

Dry ice sounds like a great idea, I will look into that. Considering how long my trip is that has got to be less expensive than having the hassle of buying ice every day! All of you have given me some good food for thought, thanks!

I will be at a state park in southern Indiana - I don't have the budget to travel further but the trails there are first class I love the campgrounds and have never felt unsafe camping there alone, I am SO looking forward to this and can hardly wait!

[malkin]

Have a great time!

[Brandi]

One of my favorite things to bring and make when camping (and we do a lot) is grilled cheese and tomato soup (trader joes roasted tom soup). Also I bake ahead of time baked potatoes which I chop up at camp and bring bell peppers and onions (pre chopped) to add to it and after they have cooked nicely I make little wells in the mix and drop eggs in. Chicken and camping (unless precooked) does not seem like a good idea. Mainly because chicken can take so long to cook. I will also make chili and freeze it then use it when it is defrosted. I freeze everything before camping even milk. Oh I have made chicken ahead with taco seasoning and froze that and we have done taco's and also used the meat on a taco salad.

[Tri Girl]

I will be at a state park in southern Indiana - I don't have the budget to travel further but the trails there are first class I love the campgrounds and have never felt unsafe camping there alone, I am SO looking forward to this and can hardly wait!

Fantastic! I've never been to Indiana (except to drive through there a dozen years ago). Have a WONDERFUL trip, and enjoy some much-needed relaxation and play!