Taking the primitive out of camping food


Feb. 28, 2006, midnight | By Alexis Egan, Bridget Egan | 18 years ago

Some helpful tips for delicious rustic dining


Tired of the same old meals of ramen noodles and granola bars while in the wilderness? Next time you and your friends go camping, try some of these delicious, easy recipes, varying from breakfast foods to dessert treats. Even if the weather is not temperate enough to go camping, these recipes can be duplicated at home.

To start the morning
Every camper who has gotten up at six in the morning knows that the less effort required to make the first meal of the day, the better. But don't reach for a Chewy Bar and juice box; A full meal can be made easily in just half an hour. Original and scrumptious, these doughnuts and hash browns are a perfect way to start your campout.

Homemade doughnuts
-1 pkg. of Pillsbury biscuit mix
-1 cup of powdered sugar, in a plastic bag
-2 cups of vegetable oil

Supplies
-Frying pan
-Spatula
-Portable gas stove (optional)

Begin by building a fire, or use a portable gas stove. Heat the oil until it bubbles. While the oil is heating, take one slice of the dough and mold into a doughnut shape, with a small hole in the center. Place the dough into the oil and cook for 3 to 5 minutes; flip and cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Being careful, remove the doughnut from the oil and drop into the powdered sugar. Shake to cover completely and start munching!

Hash browns
-1 lb. of baking potatoes, peeled and grated
-3 Tbsp, olive oil
-Salt and pepper

Supplies
-Frying pan
-Spatula

Before you start your camping trip, peel and grate some potatoes and leave in a container with water. Heat the oil in a frying pan at a medium level setting. While pan is heating, press as much liquid out of the potatoes as possible. Use paper towels to soak up extra moisture and then form potatoes into flat balls. When oil is heated, place the potatoes in the pan and spread them out, so they are no more than 1/2 inch thick. After a few minutes, flip the potatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Once the opposing side is golden brown, remove from oil, let cool and start eating your homemade meal.

This recipe and many others can be found at Simply Recipes .

Mid-day delicacies

There is nothing more important than eating a good lunch before or after a long hike in the wilderness. Not only is it important to replenish your energy and lost nutrients, but a delicious meal can help motivate hikers. With a meal like roll-ups and spectacular trail mix, any hiker could be compelled to climb Mount Everest after a decent lunch.

Roll ups
-1 pkg. of tortilla rolls
-1 head of lettuce
-Whipped cream cheese
-Sliced meat of any variety
-Cheese of any variety (optional)

Supplies
-Cutting board
-Saran wrap
-Butter knife

To begin making a lunch, find a clean space for preparing the food. Take one tortilla roll and spread a light layer of cream cheese over the top. Layer lettuce, cheese and meat onto the tortilla smearing some cream cheese on the edge to seal. When done, start rolling from the edge of the tortilla that is covered and use the cream cheese to seal the bond. Wrap in tin foil or saran wrap and enjoy.

Trail Mix
Quantity depends on number of people and personal taste.
-M & M's
-Cashews
-Raisins
-Rice chex
-Pretzel sticks

Supplies
Sealable plastic bags

Combine the above ingredients in a plastic bag with a seal and shake up the contents. When ever hunger strikes you have a portable meal by your side.

Dinner Classics

Making dinner while camping is always something to look forward to and dread at the same time. Wood has to be collected to get a fire going and then there are dishes to clean afterwards. With these recipes, all those worries will melt away, knowing that all the work will contribute to a delicious final product.

Pie Irons Pizza
-1 loaf of bread
-Grated cheese
-Tomato sauce
-pepperoni, onions, sausage, any type of toppings for your pizza
-An anti-stick spray, such as PAM

Supplies
-A pie iron, can be bought here
-Silverwear
-Plate

Begin with spraying both sides of the pie iron with an anti-stick spray. Take two pieces of bread and fit them into both sides of the pie iron. Take the tomato sauce and slather a spoonful on both slices of bread. On one piece of bread add cheese and any other type of toppings. When this is complete, latch the pie irons together at the end and make sure that the hook is near the wooden handles. Bring over the fire, not directly in the flames, and keep one side exposed to the flames. After 3 or 4 minutes, flip the pie iron so the other side is exposed. Once 3 minutes are up remove the pie iron from the fire and tap either side on a firm object. Unlatch the pie irons, flip your tasty product onto a ready plate and enjoy your homemade pizza.

Roasted Veggies
Ingredients vary according to taste.
-Potatoes
-Carrots
-Corn kernels
-Butter
-Salt and Pepper

Supplies
-Tin foil
-Silverware

Slice the vegetables into bit-sized pieces and place in a large sheet of tin foil. Add a pat of butter and some salt and pepper before wrapping up the vegetables. Place on the coals of the fire and allow the vegetables to cook. After 15-20 minutes check on the vegetables, if cooked take off the fire and enjoy this healthy part of the food pyramid.

Scrumptious Sweets

Admit it, the large range of desserts that can be easily made over a fire is the best part of camping. Although ice cream and Cake are out of the question, it is possible to make easy and delicious treats in the wilderness.

S'mores
-Graham crackers
-Chocolate bars
-Marshmallows

Find a clean stick or bring one from home for roasting. Place one or two marshmallows on the stick and place in fire, though not directly in the the flame. Once they are golden brown, place onto a prepared graham cracker with chocolate on top. You can make this tasty treat over and over.

Shaggy Dogs
-Marshmallows
-Chocolate syrup
-Shredded coconut

Roast a marshmallow as if making a s'more. Once marshmallow is roasted, coat in chocolate syrup and then roll in shredded coconut. Though this dessert may not appeal to everyone, it is easy to make and savory .

Elephant Ears
-Cinnamon sugar
-Tortillas
-Vegetable oil

Supplies
-Frying pan
-Spatula

Over a fire, heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Slice the tortilla rolls into fourths and fill will cinnamon sugar. Fold the tortillas over, covering the cinnamon sugar and place in heated oil. Fry until golden and eat your tasty dessert.




Alexis Egan. Alexis is a (very) short junior, who is very pleased to be writing for Chips Online with all her friends. Along with writing, her other hobbies are playing soccer, reading about Mount Everest and listening to any Irish music. Her favorite movie is The Princess … More »

Bridget Egan. Bridget Egan is a Communications Art student (graduating in 2007) who loves "CSI" and The Who. When she isn't doing anything related to school work, she is drawing abstract art, reading comic books and normal books and learning to play the bagpipes. Bridget also has … More »

Show comments


Comments

No comments.


Please ensure that all comments are mature and responsible; they will go through moderation.