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!

Building a Log Cabin fire

So, realizing all this talk about food might make some people hungry, we need to go back to the basics for a few minutes. Some of you (no finger pointing) may not know how to build the Log cabin style fire we keep talking about. So:

Here's the basics:
Your big logs lay cross-wise in the old Lincoln log style.In the middle goes your kindling and smaller wood pieces (starter log if you are cheating - these are not always recommended for cooking so check the label!). What is in the middle will burn to hot coals and can be replaced as needed. Place pots on the middle, use a grate on top, or slide dinner wrapped in foil into the coals from the outside edges.
Remember, it does not have to be very tall to still be effective.

Pita Pizza

Super popular with kids, and the perfect plan for a rainy camping trip because it can be eaten cold.

What you need: Flatbread of choice, 1 can (or jar) pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni or topping of choice
Gear: Grate, camping plates + extra plates, pot grabber, spoon
A log cabin fire is suggested so that there is a flatter spot for the grate. Have each person prepare their pizza the way they like it. Place the grate over the fire. Double up a plate with a little water between the two to help keep the bottom of the pizza from burning. (you could cook over a grate covered with Aluminum foil too). Cook until the cheese is melty and you can't resist any more!

Campfire Jelly Biscuits

A big thanks to Kayla for our first guest write-in! This sounds awesome and I can't wait to try it!

What you need: Just add water Bisquick or pancake mix. Jelly of choice. A thick stick.
Find a thick stick, about 1 inch in diameter. Mix the instant bisquick as the directions indicate, and adjust as necessary to make the dough super sticky. Wrap it around your ginormous stick and let the fire work it's magic until it becomes golden brown. Remove from stick (be careful, it's hot!) and fill with yummy jelly of choice. Enjoy!

I think the recipe would also be good fritter style with fresh berries and a little sugar. Let us know what you think!

Hobo Stew

Don't let the name fool you, this will be a favorite of yours in no time! Just like it is for us.

What you'll need: hamburger (one patty equivalent for each person or more for hungry young men), potatoes, carrots, onion, salt & pepper, ketchup

Equipment: Aluminum foil, knife (or 2), long handle tongs

Build your fire as soon as possible before you start cooking, you need hot coals for the best cooking. We suggest a log cabin style fire so that you can stock new wood for coals as you need. Cut up the veggies as desired, we cube the potatoes into smaller chunks so they cook better. If you are using frozen preformed hamburger patties, try to break them up as much as possible. The hamburger should go in the aluminum foil first, don't be afraid to use aluminum foil in abundance. Then add veggies on top with salt and pepper to taste. Wrap in aluminum foil with a sturdy handle if long handled tongs are not used. Place meals in the coals to cook thoroughly. Consuming raw or under cooked meat my pose a risk to your health. Cooking times vary, so practice makes perfect. With nice hot coals, 20 minutes minimum, check that meat is cooked thoroughly before consuming. You should hear sizzling juices and your mouth will water. Kids love it with ketchup, and so do we.

What you could use:

Blackberry Fritters

So to get those mouths watering, we have a summertime special that is sure to please. So simple, you can campout in the backyard, or scout out a berry patch for the ultimate adventure.
What you need: Blackberries (or whatever you can pick fresh), one package crescent rolls, sugar to sprinkle (optional), grate covered in aluminum foil

Build your fire, log cabin style suggested for a nice flat grate space. Pick the berries fresh and give them a rinse. Pop the canister of crescent rolls and prepare to be amazed. For a smaller treat, fill individual triangles with fruit and fold over. If using tart berries sprinkle with sugar before you fold over. For larger treats use two triangles to fill with fruit and press together. Place on grate, done when golden brown.

Welcome to Cooking Outdoors Central!

My wife and I love to camp, and so do our friends. However, I also like to eat. Ashley knows first hand how much I like to eat, and good food is a must. Therefore we refuse to be limited to dry foods and pop-tarts on camping trips. With a small cooler, or usually by simply camping in the fall and early spring, you can enjoy a whole host of great foods that are easy to make over a camp fire. We have started to compile those yummy options, and share them with you here.