Campfire Cooking

Cooking over a
fire doesn’t have to limit your meal plan or your creativity! If you’re
looking to get a little more adventurous with your campground recipes, we’ve
listed some of our favorites for you to try, everything from snacks to
dessert. Just don’t forget to kiss the
cook!

Appetizer/Snack: Siracha Popcorn

A
simple twist on a classic. You can always use Jiffy-Pop but if you want 100
percent homemade, place popcorn and oil in a pouch of heavy-duty aluminum
foil, seal the edges to form the loose pouch, being sure to leave room so the
kernels have room to pop. Tie the corner of the pouch to a stick with string
and shake over the fire until all kernels are popped (1-2 seconds between
“pops”).

Meanwhile, whisk ¼ c melted butter with 2T
Sriracha, drizzle over popped popcorn and enjoy!

Vegetarian Entree: Pasta Packet with
Cheese, Tomatoes and Veggies

Another
“prep-ahead” meal that’s perfect for any vegetarians in your camping party.

Ingredients:

• 1
  lb pasta (your favorite shape)
• 2 cups diced
  tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh basil, torn
• 4
  garlic cloves, minced
• 4 oz. goat
  cheese
• Salt & pepper to
  taste

Prior to departure, cook pasta and rinse in cold water before
packing tightly into resealable bag. While the fire is getting started, toss
the pasta with the tomatoes, basil and garlic. Divide between several pieces
of foil, add a dollop of cheese and season with salt and pepper. Seal packets
and set over fire. Warm over first 10-12 minutes.

Entrée:
Cassoulet with Sausage, Beans and
Veggies

An easy, one-skillet meal that’s
sure to please. Added bonus? Most of it can be prepped prior to your
departure, saving you more time for charades or card
games.

Ingredients:

• 1
  tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 carrots,
  diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 small
  yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic,
  chopped
• 1/2 pound smoked sausage,
  sliced
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and
  drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and
  drained
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes,
  drained
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried
  thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon
  ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  (optional)

Heat oil in a large skillet and add the next four ingredients.
Stir until the onion is transparent. Add the sausage to the skillet, and cook
for a few more minutes to brown. Pour in the both beans and tomatoes, and
season with the bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper. Cover, and move skillet
to lower heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables
are tender. Remove bay leaves and discard. Sprinkle parsley over the top, and
serve.

Side Dish: Cheesy
Potatoes in Dutch Oven

Campground cooking
isn’t the same without something made in a classic Dutch
oven, and who doesn’t love cheese and potatoes? This recipe serves an army
(20) so feel free to divide as needed. Can also modify to be meat-free, just
cook the onion in
butter.

Ingredients:

• 8 pounds
  russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 10 slices
  bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion,
  diced
• 1/2 C butter
• salt and
  pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour
  cream
• 2 C cheddar cheese, shredded

Heat
the Dutch oven over medium-high heat section of the fire. Add in chopped
bacon, when there is a bit of grease in the bottom, add in chopped onion and
cook until bacon is slightly crisp and onions are almost translucent. Add 3-4
T butter and let melt into bacon and onions. Add the slice potatoes and stir,
add 2-3T of butter and season with salt and pepper. Stir once more and put
lid on Dutch oven until potatoes are cooked through, about 20
minutes—stirring a few times.  When potatoes are fork-tender, add
sour cream and stir. Sprinkle cheddar cheese, put lid back on and remove from
heat. Once cheese is melted and all is heated through, dig
in.

Dessert:
Campfire Brownies in an Orange

A dessert
with almost no clean up! This recipe can be prepped ahead of time, and using
the orange as a cooking vessel gives the brownies just a hint of flavor that
both kids and adults will love.

• Your favorite
  chocolate brownie mix, prepared
• 1 orange per
  camper

Using a sharp knife, cut the tops off
the oranges and scoop out the pulp (this can then be used for a breakfast
fruit salad or added to sangria!).  Pour the prepared brownie mix
evenly into the hollowed out oranges, replace tops and wrap fully with heavy
duty aluminum foil. Bake over fire about 10 minutes or until brownies are set
(may vary depending on brownie mix). Bon Appetite!