As a kid, I LOVED camping, as an adult, not so much! Don't get me wrong, I love spending that time with my kids and enjoying the outdoors through their eyes and experiences! BUT the amount of energy and work it takes for my family of six to camp, makes it much more of a chore than a relaxing time away! BUT there are ways to make it easier when it comes to the food!
To begin with, think easy to prepare and easy to clean up. Spend some time the day or two before your trip cooking some easy-to-reheat meals that your family enjoys! My suggestions? Chili, spaghetti and burritos. All simple to prepare ahead of time and very easy to reheat and serve for lunch and dinner! Heat up the chili for dinner one night, serve any leftovers over hotdogs one day for lunch.
If you do prepare some meals ahead of time, once cooled, store in a ziploc freezer bag and either freeze or refrigerate to take with you.
Below you will find some great recipes for camping or even to prepare at home. Do you have a favorite camping meal? Share in the comments below! Enjoy!
Grilled Honey-Cumin BBQ Pork Packs (Courtesy of Betty Crocker)
Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Spray half of one side of four 18x12-inch sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil with cooking spray.
Mix barbecue sauce, honey and cumin in small bowl. Place 1 pork chop, 3 pieces corn, 1/4 cup carrots and 1/2 cup potato wedges on center of each sprayed foil sheet; sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Spoon 3 TBSP sauce mixture over pork and veggies on each sheet.
Fold foil over pork and veggies so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again. Allow space on sides for circulation and expansion.
Grill packets 4 to 6 inches from medium heat 15-20 minutes, turning once, until pork is slightly pink in center. Place packets on plates. Cut large X across top of each packet; fold back foil.
Roasted Veggies Over the Fire (Jessica Baber ~ Macaroni Kid Publisher)
Heat oil or butter in a large cast iron dutch oven.
Heat all other ingredients.
Cover and cook over fire for about 1 hour or until veggies are tender.
Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom.
Cheese Potatoes (Carolyn L. Reader)
Place some cut-up potatoes, onion and Swiss cheese on a square of aluminum foil. Add a little olive oil and pepper and wrap it up tight. Make several individual serving packets and cook on the BBQ for about 40 minutes. (Editor's note: We do the same with any potatoes. Hubby likes to make several different types at the same time to please the many different people... garlic, salt and pepper, cheese... Easy to do; bring along a sharpie and you can mark any "specialties!" He makes these at home just about every time he barbecues!)
Desserts!
Campfire Banana Split (We have made this at the pool on the BBQ with the kids and they LOVED it!)
Chocolate & Raspberry Goodness
On a tortilla, add dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips over raspberries or raspberry jam. Roll it up and wrap in foil and heat up near coals.
S'Mores Variation
A reader (Samantha R.) suggested substituting Heath Bars in exchange for the plain chocolate on S'Mores! YUM!
To begin with, think easy to prepare and easy to clean up. Spend some time the day or two before your trip cooking some easy-to-reheat meals that your family enjoys! My suggestions? Chili, spaghetti and burritos. All simple to prepare ahead of time and very easy to reheat and serve for lunch and dinner! Heat up the chili for dinner one night, serve any leftovers over hotdogs one day for lunch.
If you do prepare some meals ahead of time, once cooled, store in a ziploc freezer bag and either freeze or refrigerate to take with you.
Below you will find some great recipes for camping or even to prepare at home. Do you have a favorite camping meal? Share in the comments below! Enjoy!
Grilled Honey-Cumin BBQ Pork Packs (Courtesy of Betty Crocker)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 4 pork boneless rib or loin chops, 3/ to 1 inch thick (1 1/4 lbs.)
- 2 large ears corn, each cut into 6 pieces
- 1 cup baby-cut carrots, cut lengthwise in half
- 2 cups (from 1 lb. 4 oz. bag) refrigerated, cooked new potato wedges (OR 2 medium fresh potatoes into wedges and place in a microwavable bowl. Cover and microwave on High for about 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Place in packet and grill as directed.)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Spray half of one side of four 18x12-inch sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil with cooking spray.
Mix barbecue sauce, honey and cumin in small bowl. Place 1 pork chop, 3 pieces corn, 1/4 cup carrots and 1/2 cup potato wedges on center of each sprayed foil sheet; sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Spoon 3 TBSP sauce mixture over pork and veggies on each sheet.
Fold foil over pork and veggies so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again. Allow space on sides for circulation and expansion.
Grill packets 4 to 6 inches from medium heat 15-20 minutes, turning once, until pork is slightly pink in center. Place packets on plates. Cut large X across top of each packet; fold back foil.
Roasted Veggies Over the Fire (Jessica Baber ~ Macaroni Kid Publisher)
- Chopped onion
- Chopped carrots
- Chopped parsnips
- Chopped potatoes
- Minced garlic
- Onion Soup Mix packet
- 1/4 Cup brown sugar (optional)
- Olive Oil or butter
Heat oil or butter in a large cast iron dutch oven.
Heat all other ingredients.
Cover and cook over fire for about 1 hour or until veggies are tender.
Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom.
Cheese Potatoes (Carolyn L. Reader)
- Red potatoes (any potatoes work)
- Red onion
- Swiss cheese
- Olive oil
- Pepper
Place some cut-up potatoes, onion and Swiss cheese on a square of aluminum foil. Add a little olive oil and pepper and wrap it up tight. Make several individual serving packets and cook on the BBQ for about 40 minutes. (Editor's note: We do the same with any potatoes. Hubby likes to make several different types at the same time to please the many different people... garlic, salt and pepper, cheese... Easy to do; bring along a sharpie and you can mark any "specialties!" He makes these at home just about every time he barbecues!)
Desserts!
Campfire Banana Split (We have made this at the pool on the BBQ with the kids and they LOVED it!)
- Bananas
- Chocolate Chips
- Marshmallows
Chocolate & Raspberry Goodness
On a tortilla, add dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips over raspberries or raspberry jam. Roll it up and wrap in foil and heat up near coals.
S'Mores Variation
A reader (Samantha R.) suggested substituting Heath Bars in exchange for the plain chocolate on S'Mores! YUM!
