Good Campfire Cooking
 

Camping season is upon us. I like to bring some good food when I go car
camping (as opposed to backpack camping when weight doesn't allow carrying
coolers). In the past I've done stuffed Cornish game hen wrapped in foil
over the fire. Creek potatoes are always good. I've made saffron rice over
the camp fire. Marinated flank stuff works well, too.

What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have you made over
a camp fire? I've always wanted to try a pizza over a fire myself, but
don't have much idea how that would work.

-Matt

Good Campfire Cooking
 

Matt > wrote:
> Camping season is upon us. I like to bring some good food when I go car
> camping (as opposed to backpack camping when weight doesn't allow carrying
> coolers). In the past I've done stuffed Cornish game hen wrapped in foil
> over the fire. Creek potatoes are always good. I've made saffron rice over
> the camp fire. Marinated flank stuff works well, too.

> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
> meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have you made over
> a camp fire? I've always wanted to try a pizza over a fire myself, but
> don't have much idea how that would work.

For me, the best meal is a good steak cooked over a hot wood fire
with a baked potato that's been cooked in the coals of the fire,
a green vegetable, and cold water to wash it down. It just does not
get any better than that.

Good Campfire Cooking
 

On 6/29/2004 12:10 PM, Matt wrote:
> Camping season is upon us. I like to bring some good food when I go car
> camping (as opposed to backpack camping when weight doesn't allow carrying
> coolers). In the past I've done stuffed Cornish game hen wrapped in foil
> over the fire. Creek potatoes are always good. I've made saffron rice over
> the camp fire. Marinated flank stuff works well, too.
>
> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
> meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have you made over
> a camp fire? I've always wanted to try a pizza over a fire myself, but
> don't have much idea how that would work.
>
> -Matt
>
>
I'm new to camp cooking and I'd love some pointers. DH and I are going
tent (car) camping next month...

--
jmk in NC

Good Campfire Cooking
 

One dark day on Usenet, "Matt" > said:

<snip>

> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
> meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have you made over
> a camp fire?

Hubby's dad started him on these: on a large sheet of foil, arrange
ground beef with diced potatoes, onions and carrots. Season well (we
like salt, pepper, garlic, and Worchestershire, amoung other things).
Fold and seal foil to form a packet, cook on a cool part of the fire
for 45-60 minutes. I'm sure you could add things like green peppers
if you wished or even subsitute chicken for the beef. FIL called
them "Hobo dinners". What's nice is that you can get all the prep
work done, then relax by the fire while they cook.

> I've always wanted to try a pizza over a fire myself, but
> don't have much idea how that would work.

I'm sure some intrepid cook here has done it, but not I...


--
J.J. in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~
(COLD to HOT for e-mail)
"Why do my knees feel like the wanna tear up?"
- Carl, ATHF

Good Campfire Cooking
 

byakee wrote:

> Hubby's dad started him on these: on a large sheet of foil, arrange
> ground beef with diced potatoes, onions and carrots. Season well (we
> like salt, pepper, garlic, and Worchestershire, amoung other things).
> Fold and seal foil to form a packet, cook on a cool part of the fire
> for 45-60 minutes. I'm sure you could add things like green peppers
> if you wished or even subsitute chicken for the beef. FIL called
> them "Hobo dinners". What's nice is that you can get all the prep
> work done, then relax by the fire while they cook.

Paula Deen had that on her show, she called them Hobo something, too.
They looked good, like individual meatloaves, unless I'm confusing it
with something else.

nancy

Good Campfire Cooking
 

Nancy Young wrote:
> byakee wrote:
>
>> Hubby's dad started him on these: on a large sheet of foil, arrange
>> ground beef with diced potatoes, onions and carrots. Season well (we
>> like salt, pepper, garlic, and Worchestershire, amoung other things).
>> Fold and seal foil to form a packet, cook on a cool part of the fire
>> for 45-60 minutes. I'm sure you could add things like green peppers
>> if you wished or even subsitute chicken for the beef. FIL called
>> them "Hobo dinners". What's nice is that you can get all the prep
>> work done, then relax by the fire while they cook.
>
> Paula Deen had that on her show, she called them Hobo something, too.
> They looked good, like individual meatloaves, unless I'm confusing it
> with something else.
>
> nancy

I always called them "Campfire Pocketbooks". If you don't want to use
ground beef you can use cubed round steak or even flank marinated in
teriyaki with wine and garlic and add the veggies. I double wrap the
heavy-duty foil pouches and cook indirectly next to hot ashy coals (or wood)
turning the pouch after about 25 minutes for a total cook time of close to
an hour. This also works with chicken.

Jill

Good Campfire Cooking
 

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 12:10:34 -0400, Matt wrote:

> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
> meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have you made over
> a camp fire? I've always wanted to try a pizza over a fire myself, but
> don't have much idea how that would work.

Funny you should ask.

http://www.seiner.com/~westy/index.php/TravelRecipes

Look for the link to FunStuff. The trick is really to use low heat.

And if anyone wants to contribute, feel free.

--Kamus

Good Campfire Cooking
 

Matt wrote:
> Camping season is upon us. I like to bring some good food when I go
> car camping (as opposed to backpack camping when weight doesn't allow
> carrying coolers). In the past I've done stuffed Cornish game hen
> wrapped in foil over the fire. Creek potatoes are always good. I've
> made saffron rice over the camp fire. Marinated flank stuff works
> well, too.
>
> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with
> you) meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have
> you made over a camp fire? I've always wanted to try a pizza over a
> fire myself, but don't have much idea how that would work.
>
> -Matt

If you've got a cooler and easy access to ice, you've pretty much got it
made. I don't know if you're talking about cooking on a charcoal grill or
over a wood fire. I can tell you, when I lost power due to a major storm
last July I did all my cooking on coal out of a cooler. But I've also
cooked over wood fires while camping; it's pretty much the same thing.

I cooked bacon on a cast iron griddle and then used the reserved drippings
to prepare cornbread in a skillet. I prepared jambalaya on the grill, and
also made a pot of soup.

I can't see why you couldn't do pizza in an iron skillet; you'll just want
to rise the dough, covered, and then top it as desired and bake it off to
the side-like with a lid on. Might need to turn the pan around a couple of
times to allow for even browning of the crust.

I trust you have a dutch oven? They are great for making stews and such.

You've already mentioned cornish hens, potatoes. Don't forget corn on the
cob, it's wonderful roasted. Soak it in cold water (or shove it into the
cooler with the ice) for about an hour. Peel back the husks and remove the
cornsilk; brush the corn with butter or oil and lay some herbs along the
cob. Thyme, basil, sage. Put the husks back around the corn and roast it
about an hour, turning frequently. The husks will blacken but the well
soaked corn will not burn and the herbs flavour the corn nicely.

Have fun!

Jill

Good Campfire Cooking
 

One dark day on Usenet, said:
> byakee wrote:
>
> > Hubby's dad started him on these: on a large sheet of foil, arrange
> > ground beef with diced potatoes, onions and carrots. Season well (we
> > like salt, pepper, garlic, and Worchestershire, amoung other things).
> > Fold and seal foil to form a packet, cook on a cool part of the fire
> > for 45-60 minutes. I'm sure you could add things like green peppers
> > if you wished or even subsitute chicken for the beef. FIL called
> > them "Hobo dinners". What's nice is that you can get all the prep
> > work done, then relax by the fire while they cook.
>
> Paula Deen had that on her show, she called them Hobo something, too.
> They looked good, like individual meatloaves, unless I'm confusing it
> with something else.

Yeah, that sounds about right -- I put ketchup on the ground beef
after it's done cooking. Another name for these (not sure who told
me this) is "Foil Babies"...


--
J.J. in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~
(COLD to HOT for e-mail)
"Why do my knees feel like the wanna tear up?"
- Carl, ATHF

Good Campfire Cooking
 

"Matt" > wrote in message
...
> Camping season is upon us. I like to bring some good food when I go car
> camping (as opposed to backpack camping when weight doesn't allow carrying
> coolers). In the past I've done stuffed Cornish game hen wrapped in foil
> over the fire. Creek potatoes are always good. I've made saffron rice
over
> the camp fire. Marinated flank stuff works well, too.
>
> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
> meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have you made
over
> a camp fire? I've always wanted to try a pizza over a fire myself, but
> don't have much idea how that would work.
>
> -Matt
>

Having been involved with scouting for 16 years......

Buy pita pockets, canned pizza sauce (or a container of yourown homemade for
the purists), shredded mozzarella and pepperoni slices. Cut off the top of
the pocket, open it up, spoon in sauce, cheese, and as much pepperoni as you
would like. Either put it on a grill over the fire or in one of those
grilled cheese contraptions you use in a campfire. Five minutes or so, you
have a great handheld pizza. (Okay, maybe not so great, but good ambiance)

You can mix and match what you want in it, it doesn't have to be pepperoni.
-Ginny



>

Good Campfire Cooking
 

In rec.food.cooking, Matt > wrote:

> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
> meals fit for cooking over a fire?

Grilled Salmon
Filet Mignon
Shish Kabob

--
....I'm an air-conditioned gypsy...

- The Who

Good Campfire Cooking
 

"Matt" > wrote in message >...
> Camping season is upon us. I like to bring some good food when I go car
> camping (as opposed to backpack camping when weight doesn't allow carrying
> coolers). In the past I've done stuffed Cornish game hen wrapped in foil
> over the fire. Creek potatoes are always good. I've made saffron rice over
> the camp fire. Marinated flank stuff works well, too.
>
> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
> meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have you made over
> a camp fire? I've always wanted to try a pizza over a fire myself, but
> don't have much idea how that would work.
>
> -Matt

Tandoori chicken, marinated at home and brought chilled or frozen.

Here's a good one with pork:

Pincho Moruno

0.75 cup olive oil
2 T minced fresh parsley, or 1 T dried
2 t crushed red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1.5 t ground cumin
1 t dried thyme
1 t paprika
1 large bay leaf, crumbled
salt and pepper to taste
1.5 lb boneless lean pork, cut into 0.75-by-1-inch cubes (or not, if you wish)
or 1.5 lb chicken breasts

Mix everything but pork together. Pour it over the pork in a ziploc bag,
or use your favorite marinating technique. Marinate overnight.

Thread cubed pork on skewers and grill on high heat until done.

You can cut the oil back to 0.25 cup if you wish. I usually do.

This works great with pork tenderloin, left whole. Not having to skewer
simplifies cooking.

Warning: This usually catches fire when you throw it on the grill,
but the flames subside quickly.

Cindy Hamilton

Good Campfire Cooking
 

>"Matt" > wrote in message
...
>> Camping season is upon us. I like to bring some good food when I go car
>> camping (as opposed to backpack camping when weight doesn't allow carrying
>> coolers). In the past I've done stuffed Cornish game hen wrapped in foil
>> over the fire. Creek potatoes are always good. I've made saffron rice
>over
>> the camp fire. Marinated flank stuff works well, too.
>>
>> What are some easy to prepare ahead (or don't have to bring much with you)
>> meals fit for cooking over a fire? What delicious meals have you made
>over
>> a camp fire? I've always wanted to try a pizza over a fire myself, but
>> don't have much idea how that would work.
>>
>> -Matt
>>
I like the Girl Scout potatoes, at least a friend started me on them and called
them that, and although I went to Girl Scout camp I don't recall them.

Cut up a potato for each serving. I also use lots of onion cut up, as the
onion sort of melts away. Salt, pepper and oil or butter, and place on oiled
foil, making a packet for each person. They sort of steam on the grill, so
after they are done I poke the foil to dry them out a little and grill for a
few more minutes for more of a roasted flavor. Carrots and sweet potatoes are
also good additions to this.

Another potato dish we like is what I call "potato books." Take a potato and
slice it very thinly but don't go all the way through so it stays intact.
Spread the "pages" open enough to add oil and whatever seasonings you like. I
use salt, pepper, paprika and parsley and also like to put some onions in there
between the "pages". Wrap the whole potato in foil and grill. These cook up a
little faster than the GS ones above.

I'll never forget our camping trip in Michigan. We were going to the UP to
visit a friend at Mich Tech. I had bought one of those spaghetti kits where
you get the dried spaghetti, a can of sauce and a packet of cheese - okay, I
was a teen then. This was at the top of Michigan just before the bridge. The
mosquitoes were so bad that when I was trying to drain the noodles I ended up
throwing them out with the water.


>Having been involved with scouting for 16 years......
>
>Buy pita pockets, canned pizza sauce (or a container of yourown homemade for
>the purists), shredded mozzarella and pepperoni slices. Cut off the top of
>the pocket, open it up, spoon in sauce, cheese, and as much pepperoni as you
>would like. Either put it on a grill over the fire or in one of those
>grilled cheese contraptions you use in a campfire. Five minutes or so, you
>have a great handheld pizza. (Okay, maybe not so great, but good ambiance)
>
>You can mix and match what you want in it, it doesn't have to be pepperoni.
>-Ginny
>
This sounds very doable at a campsite. Actually, when I'm camping I'll eat
nearly anything and these sound close enough to pizzas. Actually, one of those
pita pizzas sounds good right now.

Good Campfire Cooking
 

Heres my contribution...I have to do this every year for our annual
campout...
1 boneless porkloin
1 big jar of apricot jam
1 small bottle apple juice
I cut diagonal slices into the pork loin about every 2 inches about 1/2
way through..spoon jam into each slice.
I am cooking over a charcoal fire on a wire rack covered with foil. I
lay the loin on the rack, spoon in my jam. I start with the rack low on
the fire to sear the meat on the bottom. Then raise the rack and cook
slowly for about another hour covered loosely with more foil, basting it
with a mixture of the leftover jam and applejuice....serves about 10
happy campers. I also make Uncle Bens wild rice to serve with it.

Good Campfire Cooking
 

Thanks for all of the ideas. I'll have to try the various pizzas mentioned.
Probably will try the hobo dinners, too. I'll be off to the mountains for
the 4th weekend and, hopefully, it will not rain.

Regards,
Matt