How I Cook for Camping Trips

 With three camping trips under our belt this year and many more in years past I feel adequate enough to speak on how we cook for camping trips.  As with any plans I make, I start with a Google Doc so I can map out the meals we need, the ingredients and special utensils we may need for that meal, and a list of snack ideas.  Then I use this Google Doc each time we go camping so I'm not needing to reinvent the wheel. 

We have a Coleman stove that we have had for years.  It has one burner and then a grill on the other side.  The grill can be removed and replaced with a griddle.  In my opinion this is the best set up rather than having a two burner stove.  We occasionally cook on the fire but mostly we stick with the stove. This is sort of like the one we have but ours is opposite and ours is the class Coleman green.

We have one small pot and burner top kettle for boiling water. We have brought the cast iron pan before when we have made campfire nachos and a big pot when we made macaroni and cheese, but mostly we stick with minimal items.  we also have one of those folding toasters:

Breakfast Ideas

Pancakes - I make the dry mix at home and bring it along in a Ziploc bag, and then bring along eggs, milk, and oil to mix up.  We usually serve with bacon.

Egg McMuffins - Another yummy hot breakfast with either bacon or sausages. 

Cereal, Toast, Yoghurt - We use camping as an opportunity to buy sugary cereal like Froot Loops. 

Coffee - This is a must have for us and although we used to bring along instant packets, we have upgraded to a French Press and real coffee grinds.  It really does make a difference.  We also bring along hot chocolate and hot apple cider mix for the boys. 

Lunches are usually sandwiches on the beach - PB and J for the kids, ham and cheese for Dave and me and a variety of snacks.

Supper Ideas (I like to save some meat free meals for our last two or three nights so I don't have to worry about meat staying too long in the cooler)

Burgers - These are good but always pretty greasy.  I have to put down tin foil under the grill so keep it as clean as possible.

Skewers - These are made up ahead of time and grilled up quickly.  We would eat these when we arrive since I don't like leaving chicken for too long in the cooler.  I will also bring a salad that I've made up ahead of time or one of the bag salad kits.

Tacos - I will make up the taco spice and grate the cheese ahead of time, and with the soft shells, it makes it easy to put together.  I'll bring along a whole avocado too to mash up, and a small container of plain yoghurt in place of sour cream. Everyone loves tacos at our campsite. 

Baked beans and hot dogs - Best to do this as you get your fire going so you can roast the hot dogs instead of having to grill them.

Pasta and garlic bread - We did this for the first time last week.  I had a package of tortellini and a jar of sauce and I just brought along the prepared garlic butter to spread on a baguette.  

Soup and grilled cheese - We have a grilled cheese maker that we use over the fire and serve the soup in mugs.

Macaroni and Cheese - The recipe I use requires you to boil the pasta in a milk/water combination until cooked, then without draining the liquid, add cheese and stir.  It is pretty delicious. 

Campfire nachos - This requires a heavy pan and tin foil.  I will cut up tomatoes and peppers and bring a bag of already grated cheese. 

Chili - If we have this I will have made it ahead of time and frozen it in a Ziploc bag, then I just warm it up for supper. 

Greek Chicken Bowls - Pre-marinated chicken breast pieces, pre-made greek salad, rice, hummus, tzatizki, and pitas.  This is good for a group too since everyone can put together their own plate/bowl. 

Cooking our garlic bread, so good!

Snack Ideas

Fruit and Vegetables (our family is currently partial to pears, berries, cucumber and bell peppers. I used to cut it up ahead of time but now I just bring the whole thing and cut it up as needed)

Cookies

Chips

Candy (I always get a pack of Super Nibs, they are my favourite, Dave prefers sour candies)

Crackers

Nuts

Trail Mix

Campfire cones - sugar or waffle cones stuffed with chocolate, mini-marshmallows, banana pieces, strawberries, mini-peanut butter cups, and cookie pieces (or any combination fo this), and wrapped in tin foil and set on the fire grate until melted.

Something I've noticed recently is that we aren't as hungry as I think we will be, so I've been pretty good at packing less food so we aren't bringing so much home.