Back to Basics Baked Potato

So I think we need to keep exploring the basics a little bit and help our beginners get their feet wet.
Bring some aluminum foil, ad the yummies that you want to go with it. Cheese, tomatoes, broccoli, bacon - whatever you like works. Poke a a handful of holes in the potato and wrap it in aluminum foil. Slide the poatoes around your log cabin fire and allow tocook for 45 minutes to an hour. Then crack open and enjoy!

Cowboy Chili

This recipe is great for camping with a group. Bring you a big ole chilipot and an open mind!

Have everybody in the group bring a can or two (depening on the number of people in the group) of yummies to go in the chili.Example are corn, green beans, beans of any kind, peas, tomatoes or tomato sauce, carrots, etc. Mix and match don't be afraid to try something new! Throw some ground beef in the bottom of the pot before you add anything and alow it to brown. Then in goes everything else! Salt and pepper to taste!

Banana Boats

The campfire version of banana splits! Pack the aluminum foil and a fork/spoon, it's about to get messy! You'll also need bananas, chocolate chips, caramel chips, and mini marshmallows.
This is a perfect end of the day treat, when the fire is starting to burn down. Peel one section off your banana, then cut the banana in half. Fill with chocolate chips, caramel chips, and mini marshmallows as desired. Yum yum! Wrap in aluminum foil then Toast in the fire until gooey and melty then enjoy.

Daylily Fritters

To start this one, go for a walk. Look for orange daylilies, like this:

If you are unsure, do some research and never eat Easter lilies. Pluck a few and wander on back to where you are cooking. These are perfect for camping in your own kitchen, a good starting point for beginners. Rinse the flowers well. Grab your favorite pancake mix and and prepare. Once you pour out the batter onto your cooking surface, add the daylilies. They provide a little crunch and what I consider a little sweetness. If you like these, the daylilies can be candied and used in numerous other dishes.
Keep an open mind!

Veggie Fajitas

Can be super easy, prep work fireside or before you go. Since we prep fireside, we make them veggie style, but meat can always be added.

-grate wrapped in foil , aluminum foil, knife, spoon, green peppers, onion, tomato, cucumber, cheese, can of beans, tortillas (other veggies as you like – mushrooms, etc)

Build your fire. Pop the can of beans and heat at base of fire. Cut veggies as desired, grill peppers and onions over grate. Lay tortilla with cheese on grate and load with veggies and beans, allow cheese to melt slightly. Remove from grate and enjoy. Be careful- it’s hot!

Shrimp Boil

Okay, this one is a little out there, seasonal for sure, but great if you are camping seaside. Did it once and it was awesome!

Pick up fresh shrimp on the way to the campsite as well as a shrimp boil (Zatarain's is good). You need a huge pot! Pick somebody who is not squeamish for shrimp prep. The head must be cut off and we yanked the legs off too. Pop in the pot of water over the fire with the shrimp boil and let the fire do the work. The kids Loved it and that’s all they wanted to eat. However, good side dishes include corn and new potatoes. We let the kids fish in the ocean while the prep work was done, then took our bikes onto the beach after dinner for the sunset. Watch for other wildlife, we were in SC and had deer and raccoons peeking at us.

Hot Dogs & Mac-N-Cheese

It's a classic, but an idea to always be revisited!
What you need: Hot dogs, macaroni and cheese of your boxed favorite variety
Equipment: a decent sized pot, skewers (or hunt sticks later), spoon, plates & forks
Once again we suggest a log cabin fire for nestling your pot of water in. Start the water boiling while sending off your best scouts to hunt for hot dog sticks. Add the noodles as directed on the box, and allow to cook. When the noodles are cooling it's time to start in on the hot dogs. Brown 'em or burn 'em, however you like. They can be eaten separate or cut up and added to the pot. Only downside - the dishes!