Camping and outdoor cooking go hand in hand. There’s nothing like the smell of fresh air and a delicious meal cooking on an open fire. However, cooking outdoors can be challenging if you’re unprepared. Here are some tips to help you cook like a pro while camping.
Things to know when cooking outdoors
1. Plan your meals in advance.
Planning your meals in advance will save you time and hassle when cooking. Make a list of the meals you want to cook and the ingredients you’ll need. Consider the number of people you’re cooking for, how many meals you’ll need, and any special dietary requirements.
2. Choose the right cooking equipment.
When it comes to cooking outdoors, you have a wide variety of equipment to choose from. You can use a campfire, a portable gas stove, or a charcoal grill. Choose the equipment that suits your needs and the type of food you’ll be cooking. Kovea Philippines offers a range of cooking equipment – from stoves and igniters to grill tool sets.
3. Pack the right cooking tools.
Make sure you have all the necessary cooking tools with you. This includes pots, pans, utensils, a cutting board, and a knife. It is best to invest in a cookset like this Stanley Basecamp Cookset that comes in 21 nested components, including serving spoon, spatula, and cutting board. Also, don’t forget to pack a can opener, a bottle opener, and a corkscrew if you’re planning on bringing canned or bottled beverages.
4. Keep your food safe.
Make sure you store your food correctly to prevent spoilage and contamination. For example, keep your raw meat and poultry separate from other foods, and store them in a cooler with plenty of ice. Also, make sure to wash your hands before and after handling food.
5. Use simple recipes.
Cooking outdoors can be challenging, so it’s best to stick to simple recipes. Choose recipes that require minimal preparation and cooking time. One-pot meals and foil-packet meals that you can cook using BioLite Firepit+ grill, for instance, are great options for camping.
Speaking of simple camping recipes, we’ve prepared three recipes to make.
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Campfire Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef in a large pot over the campfire or on a portable stove.
- Add the diced onions and bell pepper to the pot and cook until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot.
- Stir everything together and let the chili simmer for 15-20 minutes.
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Foil Packet Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Flour tortillas
- Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, etc.
Instructions:
- Cut four sheets of aluminum foil and spray each with cooking spray.
- Divide the sliced chicken, onions, and bell peppers evenly among the foil sheets.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning, salt, and pepper over the chicken and vegetables.
- Fold the foil packets tightly and place them on the campfire or grill.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve the chicken and vegetables in flour tortillas with your favorite toppings.
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Campfire French Toast
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of bread, sliced
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture, making sure to coat both sides.
- Spray a cast-iron skillet with cooking spray and place it over the campfire or stove.
- Cook the French toast for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
- Serve the French toast with butter and syrup.
6. Bring plenty of water.
Water is essential when camping, not just for drinking but also for cooking and cleaning. So make sure you bring enough water for all your needs, including cooking.
7. Practice fire safety.
If you’re cooking over an open fire, make sure to practice fire safety. Don’t leave the fire unattended, and keep a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of an emergency.
8. Leave no trace.
When you’re done cooking, clean up your campsite and pack out any trash. Leave no trace of your cooking or camping activities to help preserve the environment.
Follow these simple tips and try out the camping recipes. In no time, you can cook like a pro while camping and enjoy delicious meals in the great outdoors.
