Camp cooking

(Survival Manual/ Prepper articles/ Camp cooking)

A.  10 Easy Breakfast Camping Recipes
02/12/2012, Camping Road Trip.com, Written by: Adeline Yuboco
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 [Photo: Fuel up with these hearty and easy breakfast camping food recipes you’re sure going to love]

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially when camping. Just like your trusty RV, your body needs to fuel up so that you can enjoy all the different outdoor activities you and your family have planned for the day. This is even more important if you’re camping with kids, who need to have the proper nourishment to fill their growing and extremely active bodies.

But let’s face it! Eating the same breakfast camping food every day can be really boring. When that happens, you’d often end up skipping breakfast and go through the day on empty. The thing is, it doesn’t have to be that way. Below are 10 really easy camping recipes you can whip up for breakfast, whether you’re camping in an RV or in a tent. Aside from being tasty and giving you all the energy you need, these can be prepared in advance before you head out on your camping trip, making them even more convenient to prepare and enjoy with friends and family.

1.  One Skillet Breakfast
Packed with proteins and carbs, this frittata combines all of the usual breakfast camping food staples to make one really hearty dish. Best of all, it only requires one skillet to prepare, perfect for tent campers and backpackers.

Serves 2
Preparation Time: 15 minutes at home & 5 minutes at the campground
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2 medium potatoes
2 Tablespoons cooking oil
1 clove of garlic
1/2 small onion
1/3 lb. ground sausage
5 eggs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
Salt & Pepper to Taste

Instructions:
At Home:
a.  Dice the potatoes and onion into small, bite-size pieces. Store them in separate airtight containers.
b.  Mince the garlic and place them in a separate container.
c.  Shred the cheddar cheese. Pack them in a separate container.

At the Campground:
a.  Add the oil to a large skillet and heat it on a stove (if you’re camping with an RV) or over the campfire (if you’re tent camping).
b.   Fry the potatoes until golden.
c.  Add the onions and garlic and fry them until they start to change color.
d.  Fry the sausage until they are brown, breaking it up as you cook it.
e.  Add the eggs into the skillet, breaking the yolks and mixing them through the entire pan. Cook until the eggs have set.
f.  Add the shredded cheddar cheese. Cover the pan for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.

2.   Breakfast Burrito
This breakfast camping food is a great crowd pleaser. For vegetarians, simply omit the sausage. If you’re camping with kids, finely dice the veggies so that it’s less noticeable and they still get their daily dose of Vitamin C.

Serves 6
Preparation Time: 10 minutes at home, 5 minutes at the campground
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Cooking Oil
1/2 lb ground sausage
6 eggs
1 12-oz. jar of your favorite salsa
1 small onion
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 dozen 10-inch flour tortillas
Colby or any sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:
At Home:
a.  Dice the onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper.
b.  Shred the cheese.
c.  Store each of these into separate airtight containers.
At the Campground:
a.  Add the oil into a deep skillet and heat over a RV or camping stove or over the campfire.
b.  Fry the sausage until it starts to change color, breaking it up while cooking it.
c.  Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook until the peppers are tender.
d.  In a bowl, whip up the eggs and then pour this into the pan, stirring frequently until it starts to set.
e.  Add the cheese and half of the contents of the jar of salsa. Stir until the cheese is melted. Set aside.
f.  Heat the tortilla by putting these directly on the heat for 2 minutes each side.
g.  To serve, add about 1/4 cup of the burrito filling into a tortilla and roll it up. Spoon some of the leftover salsa on top or on the side.

3. Fried Biscuits
You don’t need an oven for this Southern breakfast favorite.

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 Large can of biscuits
1/2 stick of butter or margarine

Instructions:
a.  Add a teaspoon of butter in a pan, moving it around and allowing the butter to coat the bottom of the pan.
b.  Slice the biscuits in half and place them in the pan. Make sure that you don’t overcrowd the pan.
c.  Cook over a low fire for about 5 minutes on each side.

4.  Potato Scramble
This hearty breakfast camping meal gives a twist to the traditional Spanish omelet. It can be enjoyed on its own, or served with biscuits or with your favorite bread.

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
2 small potatoes, diced
1 large onions, finely sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
8 eggs
Salt and Pepper
1 Tablespoon butter

Instructions:
a.  Melt the butter in a large skillet, moving it around to spread it evenly.
b.  Add the potatoes, bell pepper and onions to the pan and fry them until they are almost done.
c.  In a bowl, whip the eggs. Add this into the pan. Cover for a couple of minutes until the eggs have started to set.
d.  Add the grated cheddar cheese. Cover the pan for a few minutes just to give the cheese time to melt.

5.  Dutch Oven Muffins
This easy camping recipe takes you back to the days of the Wild West when cowboys would use large cast-iron pots called Dutch ovens to cook everything from stews to bread.

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 10 minutes at home, 10 minutes in the campground
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 stick of butter

Instructions:
At Home:
a.  Sift the flour to remove any lumps into a large bowl.
b.  Add the white sugar, baking powder and salt.
c.  Mix thoroughly and store this into an airtight container.
At the Campground:
a.  Heat the Dutch oven until it reaches to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Put a metal grill inside so that there is a space between the bottom of the Dutch oven and the muffin pan once you put it into the oven.
b.  In a small pot, melt the butter and then allow this to cool. Don’t throw the wrapping away.
c.  Beat the egg in a large bowl.
d.  Add the milk, vanilla extract and the cooled butter and mix together.
e.  Add the flour mixture into the bowl. Mix lightly for no more than 10 seconds. The batter should be lumpy.
f.  Using the wrapping of the stick of butter, grease the muffin pan.
g.  Pour the batter into the muffin pan until it’s 3/4 full.
h.  Gently put this into the Dutch oven. Cover with a lid and allow it to bake for about 30 minutes.
i.  To check if the muffins are done, insert a toothpick into the middle of the muffins. The toothpick should come out clean.
j.  Allow the muffins to cool on a rack or grill.

6.  Guinness Cakes
The addition of the Guinness Stout gives these cakes a sourdough-like flavor and a much lighter texture that you and your kids would love. Don’t worry about the alcohol content. It will cook away.

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:
1 packet of Just-Add-Water Pancake Mix
1 pint of Guinness Stout

Instructions:
a.  Heat a pancake grill on an RV or camping stove or over a campfire.
b.  Pour the pancake mix in a large bowl. Substitute the amount of water prescribed in the instructions with the same amount of Guinness Stout.
c.   Mix well and allow it to stand for a few minutes to allow the beer to work into the batter.
d.  Lightly grease the griddle with oil or butter. Pour a tablespoonful of the batter into the griddle, giving a bit of space so that they won’t stick to each other.
e.  Flip the pancakes when bubbles start to appear on the edges of the mixture.
f.  Serve with fruits or maple syrup.

7.  Blueberry Maple Pancakes
Who doesn’t like pancakes in the morning? This easy breakfast camping food recipe is definitely going to be a sweet way to start the morning.

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 10 minutes at home, 10 minutes in the campground
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
For the Blueberry Maple Sauce:
1 pint blueberries
1 pint maple syrup

For the Pancakes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 cup whole milk
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons melted butter
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
Cooking oil

Instructions:
At Home:
c.  Sift the all-purpose flour into a bowl.
b.  Add the baking powder, baking soda and salt.
c.  Mix together and then store this into an airtight container.
At the Campground:
For the Sauce:
a.  Pour the maple syrup and half of the blueberries into a pot. Heat this until it comes to a boil.
b.  Mash the blueberries in the syrup with the back of a spoon.
c.  Stir the sauce for another minute and then set aside to cool.

For the Pancakes:
a.  Heat the pancake griddle or a skillet.
b.  In a bowl, beat the egg and then add the melted butter, maple syrup, milk, and the other half of the blueberries together. Mix these gently to avoid the blueberries from getting crushed.
c.  Add the flour mixture into the bowl and mix thoroughly.
d.  Pour 1/4 cup of the batter into the griddle or skillet. Cook until bubbles start to form on the edges of the pancake.
e.  Flip and cook the other side for about a minute or until it’s golden brown.
f.  Serve with the cooled blueberry syrup.

8.  Southern Breakfast Soup
Get a bit of warmth with this thick soup that blends all of the Southern breakfast staples into one really filling dish.

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
8 envelopes cheese-flavored Quaker Instant Grits
8 eggs
4 cups of water
1/2 lb. bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
a.   Empty 2 packets of the instant grits into each bowl.
b.   Pour the water into a pot and wait for it to boil.
c.   In a pan, fry the bacon until they become golden and crispy.
d.  Beat the eggs in a bowl and add this into the pan, stirring regularly until the eggs have set.
e.  Pour the hot water into each of the bowls and stir.
f.  Top each of the bowls with the bacon and eggs.

9.  Bread Pudding Muffins
Aside from being a really filling breakfast, this easy to make camping food can also be a handy snack to take with you while enjoying your favorite outdoor activity.

Serves 6
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
1 lb. loaf of sourdough bread
1 cup whole milk
4 large eggs
1 4-ounce can diced green chilies
1 cup ham, diced
8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:
a.  Pre-heat a Dutch oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a metal grill inside the Dutch oven so that there is a space between the bottom of the pan and the muffin pans.
b.  Cut the sourdough bread loaf into 1/2 inch cubes.
c.  Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Add the milk, salt and pepper and stir together.
d.   Add the sourdough bread loaf into the egg and milk mixture and allow this to soak in the mixture for 10 minutes.
e.   Add the remaining ingredients into the mixture.
f.   Grease and flour the muffin pan. Fill the muffin pan with 3/4 of the mixture.
g.   Place the muffin pan into the Dutch oven. Cover with a lid and allow this to bake for 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the middle of the muffin. The muffins are ready when the toothpick comes out clean.

10.  Mountain Man Breakfast
It may be named Mountain Man, but this hearty quiche-like breakfast camping food is one that will be enjoyed by women and children alike.

Serves 4
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup bacon, cut into cubes
1 cup sage sausage
1 medium onion, diced
4 potatoes, grated
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 dozen eggs
Cooking oil

Instructions:
a.  Heat up the oil in a Dutch oven. Fry the bacon and onions until the onions have become clear.
b.  Stir in the grated potato and cover for about 15-20 minutes.
c.   Beat the eggs in a bowl and pour this evenly over the mixture. Cover for about 10-15 minutes.
d.  Sprinkle the cheese and cover until it’s melted. Slice and serve.

B.  Winter camping meals and tips on winter camp cooking
12/09/2011, Camping Road Trip.com, Written by: Adeline Yuboco
Pasted from:

[Photo: The most ideal kinds of winter camping meals should be   easy to prepare and can be cooked in just one pot.]

For those that love the outdoors, winter camping offers a totally unique experience and a whole new sense of respect towards nature. That is why many campers, particularly those that enjoy tent camping, find winter camping one of the most rewarding – if not the most rewarding – kind of camping to do.
Winter camping is relatively easy for RVers since they have the luxury of having the cozy interiors of their RVs and the appliances to stay warm and cook their camping meals. It’s a completely different story for tent campers.
If you’re thinking about doing some winter camping this year, choosing the right camping meals to bring with you is just as important as getting the right camping gear for the season.

 •  Your Average Calorie Intake Requirements when Winter Camping
During the warmer months, the average camper would require about 2,000 calories on a daily basis to give them the energy that they need to go hiking and other outdoor activities. But when it comes to winter camping, the amount of calories you need to consume is considerably higher.

According to nutritionists, those that want to do winter camping would need camping meals that would provide them with as much as 6,000 calories on a daily basis! The reason? Your body needs the extra calories to keep yourself warm and still be able to do all the different outdoor activities that you enjoy. That is why aside from getting the right camping gear for the weather, you need to properly plan out the camping meals that you will bring during your trip.

 •  Breakdown of Food Groups for Winter Camping
When winter camping, it is highly recommended that 50% of the camping food that you bring and eat should be carbohydrates. That’s because unlike the other food groups, carbohydrates are far easier to digest and convert into energy by the body. As such, you’re able to help your body stay warm.

30% of the camping food to bring should be comprised of foods rich in fats. While they take the longest to convert into simple sugars that the body can use to generate heat, the good thing about this is that they allow you to produce heat this over a long period of time.

Protein-rich foods should only compose 20% of your camping meals while winter camping. These foods are there to help deal with hunger and help repair muscle tissue and cell construction that may easily get worn off while you’re enjoying your favorite outdoor activity.

•  Tips when Planning Winter Camping Meals
While your body needs a lot more calories during winter camping, that doesn’t mean that you’re going to feel any hungrier. In fact, your appetite greatly reduces during the winter months. That being the case, it is not only important that the food you bring during winter camping be easy to prepare but also be extremely appetizing and appealing as well.
Here are some tips to help you plan out easy camping meals for your winter camping trip:

•  Go for One Pot Meals
The cold weather is more than enough for you to feel sluggish and less willing to do a lot of cooking. One pot meals are quick and easy to prepare, which is ideal for winter camping.
Here are some examples of one pot meals that you can prepare during your camping trip:

__a) Caribbean Pineapple Curry
Serves 2
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 onion, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon generic curry powder
1 7-oz pre-cooked chicken breast, sliced into bite size pieces
1 mini bottle of rum
1 snack container of pineapple chunks

 Instructions:
At Home:
Prepare all of the ingredients and pack them into separate containers.
At Camp:
Add the rum into the container with the chicken breast and set it aside to marinate. Heat the oil in the pot and fry the garlic and jalapeno pepper for 30 seconds. Add the onion, bell pepper and curry. Stir for 3 minutes or until the vegetables have softened. Add the pineapple, rum and chicken and cook until it’s tender. Serve with rice or bread.

 __b) Hot & Sour Soba Seafood Soup
Serves 3
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
3 cubes Knorr fish bouillon
1 ounce dried mushrooms
1 bundle (about 4 oz) of buckwheat soba noodles
2 teaspoons of dried minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried chopped chives
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
4 pouches of imitation crab or 2 cans of crab meat

Instructions:
Bring water and vinegar to a boil in a medium pot. Add the bouillon cubes and stir until it dissolves. Add the mushrooms, garlic, chives, and crushed pepper. Cook for 2 minutes. Break the soba noodles in half and add to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes. Stir in the crab and cook for another 2 minutes.

•  Prepare as Much in Advance
Pre-cut ingredients as this will limit your hand exposure time, making you less prone to getting extremely cold hands while winter camping. And because they are already pre-cut, all you will need to do is to dunk them into the pot and cook away. Also, try to cook as much of the food as possible before going on your camping trip. That way, you will need to use less fuel.

•  Forget Fresh Vegetables
If you’re one of those people that can’t live without some veggies and fruits, opt to get those that are frozen or dried instead of the fresh ones. Fresh vegetables and fruits have much higher water content than meats, which will cause them to freeze in the cold weather, causing them to get ruined.

•  Bring Instant Foods
Instant foods like oatmeal and noodles are very quick to prepare and will provide you all the energy that you will need during your winter camping trip.

•  Snack Away
Aside from the full meals, bring lots of snacks for you to munch on during your winter camping trip. They also require no preparation on your part and still give you that quick boost of energy, especially when you wake up in the middle of the night because of the cold.

Examples of ideal camping snacks to take with you during your upcoming winter camping trip are beef jerky, energy bars, cookies, trail mix with nuts and chocolate, and cured meats like salami and pepperoni.

•  Things to Remember when Cooking during Winter Camping
__1. Protect your fire from the snow and wind
As you’re cooking, the snow surrounding your fire will definitely melt, and that could easily help put out your fire. If you’re cooking using firewood, make sure to first put down a layer of medium-sized sticks on the base. This will help prevent the melting snow from drowning the fire.

If you’re bringing a stove on your winter camping trip, make sure that you put a pad underneath the stove to slow down the heat transfer from the stove to the ground and stop melting the snow underneath.
Whichever method of cooking you choose to use – either by firewood or using a stove – make sure to also protect the fire from the wind.
__2. Wrap your fuel bottles with duct tape
Duct tape provides an added layer of insulation around the fuel bottle, and helps to protect you from instant frostbite if you handle this directly.
__3. Use plastic or wooden utensils when cooking
Just like the fuel bottles, metal utensils can get really cold while you’re winter camping. Not only will they be extremely difficult to use in the cold weather, they also can cause the temperature of whatever you’re cooking to drop quickly, requiring longer cooking time and more fuel.

 •  Importance of Water while Winter Camping
Keeping yourself well hydrated is very important during winter camping. Despite the sheer amount of snow that falls during the winter months, this season has actually the lowest humidity levels. The dry winter air can easily cause you to be dehydrated, and since the temperatures are very low, it can take a while for you to feel the effects of dehydration until it’s too late. That is why you need to constantly be drinking water while winter camping, even if you don’t feel that thirsty.

The best way to check whether or not you’re starting to get dehydrated is to:
__1.  check the color of your urine. Generally speaking, the darker the color of your urine, the more dehydrated you are. Other signs of dehydration to watch out for include,
__2.  Decrease in the volume of your urine
__3.  Lack of perspiration
__4.  Headache
__5.  Blurry vision

In case you run out of water, don’t eat the snow directly. Your body will require more heat and fuel to help you melt the snow in your mouth and still keep your core temperature above freezing. Instead, melt the snow over a low fire. Put in a small amount of water first in your container before adding the snow in order to prevent it from getting scorched. Use a coffee filter to strain the melted water before drinking it. This will help get rid of any dirt, bugs, and other particles.

At night, turn your water bottles upside down. This way the ice will form at the bottom of the bottle and not at the opening. You can also try burying it in the snow, as this will actually help keep the water in the bottles insulated, minimizing the chance of freezing.