Source: I thought of this myself as I am not a morning person and needed something to help me get breakfast on the table faster and easier when camping.
By LisaE from WI
By Babbie from LemonGrove, CA
We bought a Pie Iron and this little pie maker is great. I guess what a lot of people do is buy one for each person in their family. This way you can each cook maybe one meal with everyone cooking something different. What I would love is the recipe for pizza because I have heard it is great!
There are recipes on the inside cover of the pie iron for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. You can also go to http://www.pieiron.com/ for recipes.
On the night before you leave, have a leftover night if possible. Everyone has something left over from another night they like. This helps to avoid bringing home a lot of food you usually have to toss. As each person can just chose something they like leftover from dinner two nights before.
One other thing we bought (I can not for the life of me remember the name but I will describe it as best I can):
It is a lot like a grill, however it works a little differently. You set up a tripod over the spot they designate for campfires, the grill is hooked to chains on the tripod. It is set so you can raise and lower it. You can cook as close or as far away to the fire. This is great in the fact it allows you more ways to cook different things the way you need to cook. Also it locks in place to avoid accidents. It comes apart and does not take up a lot of space which you know you never seem to have enough of.
I hope this helps somebody I know a lot of people know about these things but when we first started camping we did not know much and it worked on the we learn as we go principle. Talk about your good times! Well the time is coming soon. Have fun camping this summer, I know I can not wait!
By Darlene from Fairview, PA
Post your tips below.
There are a few basic cardinal rules when it comes to food safety - especially when conditions are not ideal -such as while camping, hiking, boating, or even tailgating. These rules will keep you and your family on the right track and help avoid a trip to the emergency room for food poisoning.
Bad for you bacteria can grow on food at astonishing rates in the "hot" zone. The "hot" zone is considered to be anything above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and below 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why it is important to keep food out of that range. When you cook anything it should be above 140 degrees. If it is not going to be eaten within two hours, you will need to chill it to below 40 degrees before you pack it for the camping trip. It can always be reheated later. Cold foods will need to be chilled to at least 40 degrees.
Anything that stays within the "hot" zone for more than 2 hours should be tossed or you risk food poisoning.
You will want the food prep and cooking area to remain as clean as possible. Wash up using soap and water or if that is not readily accessible, bring along some disposable disinfectant wipes. Be sure to keep meat separate from all other ingredients when preparing as you can inadvertently cross-contaminate dishes if meat juices make its way into your potato salad.
Water from lakes or streams should never be consumed without pre treating them. You can boil water for a minute to kill the microorganisms in it, or drop in some purification tablets (usually found at any camping supply store). The purification tablets contain iodine, chlorine or halzone and can kill most bacteria, viruses, and many parasites. You will also want to filter the water before it is consumed to remove any large parasites, bacteria, or debris.
Packing the cooler is one of the most important steps in camping. You will only want to bring along enough food to be consumed within a short period of time. Because coolers are not the most effective at keeping foods at the proper temperatures, it is best to avoid overcrowding the space and leaving food in the cooler for days and days. I would say 2 to 3 days worth of food is all you would want to stock at one time.
The order in which items go into the cooler is also important. You will want to plan your meals in advance and then divide the ingredients up. Items to be consumed on the first day go on top. Food for the second day goes on the bottom. The only exception is meat. All meat products should be stored at the very bottom of the cooler to prevent any juices from dripping down into the food below.
Be sure to use plenty of ice or frozen gel packs. Ice blocks will last longer than ice cubes - so try freezing plastic baggies of water to use in your cooler. Once the ice melts - the food is no longer at the proper temperature and must be disposed of. To keep the ice from melting, resist the urge to open the cooler more than is absolutely necessary. Place it in the shade and wrap it in a blanket to keep the contents cool. Also replace the ice as it begins to melt. I would suggest keeping sodas, juice and water bottles in a separate cooler to cut down on the number of times the one holding the food needs to be opened.
Remember, when in doubt, it is always best to toss it out.
I am looking for ideas for good campground food.
By Nathan from Sioux Falls, SD
By Artlady
07/20/2010
We always stayed in tents and cooked on the campfire. On our first night we would always have foil dinners. We would make them at home and put them in the ice chest. Tear off a long piece of heavy duty aluminum foil and lay out on counter. Wash and slice a potato into round slices about a 1/4 inch thick. Lay in the middle of the foil. Add chopped celery and sliced carrots. Make a hamburger patty from ground beef or a pre-frozen patty. Lay on top of vegetables. Slice an onion into slices about a 1/4 inch thick and lay on top of hamburger. Add salt and pepper. Bring edges up around mixture and fold down to seal on all sides. You can place these directly on the campfire to cook. Check periodically to see if they are done. You can substitute chicken breasts for the hamburger.
We always liked this for the first night because everything was already prepared and all we had to do was cook it.
Any food ideas for camping. My family bought a camper last year, and at the end of the season we were tired of eating Hot Dogs and Hamburgers. We do not have a lot of storage, as it is a Pop Up, with a small fridge. Any recipes, suggestions would be appreciated. I have a picky one, that will not eat fish, so ideas that don't include fish would be great.
Thank you,
Lisa from Westland
By czechlady
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By michawnpita
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I would like to get recipes and storage ideas for camping and RV-ing.
Lynn T from Central AR
These are a nice quick treat, you can add cheese, bacon bits, etc. to make them savoury or just serve with butter and jam for sweet. (05/26/2008)
By moncarroll
By hserra84
By Cariboo Lady
If your good at camping like my mom was, then you can wow everyone with fried canned biscuits! They taste great. Everything cooked outside is better. Lightly grease the skillet and put in canned biscuits. They will darken, but won't rise. Good tasting, too.
Eggs: boil a few at home and keep cold until snack time or time to make tuna sandwiches. Break them into a storage container and freeze. If you plan on using 4 for breakfast then break 4 into a Ziplock or something. Make French toast at home then when it cools put it back in the bread sack until you need it then reheat it in the toaster!
Nobody I ever knew likes to shop at camp stores. A lot of times in the town nearest the campground we stopped and got things we would either eat that evening or in the next couple of days, even ice cream. Plus campground store prices are normally higher then other stores. You might keep in mind, too, that the kids or grandkids really don't need a Popsicle everyday or any of the candies because Saturday night we will all drive to town for an ice cream sundae.
Don't use round containers if you can help it, your space is better used with square ones. We always parked close to the shower house/wash house/playground so my mother used her tiny RV bathroom/shower for extra storage. The short walk to the RR didn't kill anyone.
Another thing that is expensive at camp is firewood. One of our first "jobs" when we got their was for my sis and I to gather kindling and wood for that night, or pay their price for only a few sticks.
One last thing: if you like to leave your coffee cup on the picnic table at night you might thank me for telling you that overnight, a coffee cup will collect a variety of bugs. Turn it upside down. Early morning coffee doesn't have to start with a scream when you look down and see several winged creatures drowned at the bottom.
Happy camping ! (05/28/2008)
By kimhis
By 3-4-T
By Carol
By j*me
By Beka
Brown 1 lb of sweet and 1 lb hot sausage in a roll. Add a couple splashes Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, hot sauce, a tsp. of beef flavoring, and a splash of browning sauce.
Once browned, sprinkle 1/2 cup or so of flour over top and mix well. Cover meat mixture with water (just to cover it) and let it come to boil to thicken and it is done. Put in container or bag.
Prepare store bought biscuits and place in zip bag and you have your breakfast. A good hearty one to keep you going all morning. Enjoy! (08/28/2008)
By Sharon
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Camping Cooking Tips