We’re heading out for a 2 night camping trip; the first since O. was born.  We’ll be visiting the western part of the state for a bluegrass festival and wanted to explore the mountains there a bit too, so decided to make a weekend of it.  Best of all, our good friends and their daughters are going to be staying at the site next to us!

So, in preparation for the trip, I wanted to try and get a bit creative with the food we’ll be taking and preparing.  We do have a little coleman camp stove, but, what I really want to do is use the campfire instead.

Since I didn’t have any cookbooks with ideas,  I headed to the answer box (aka The Computer) and found some great campfire recipe ideas.  Here are some of the best; the ones we’re planning to actually use!!

Make Your Own Meal Packets

I think the kids will get a kick out of these.  You can put anything in them you want really – but here’s what we’ll have.  These will turn out kind of like a stew, but if you omit the bullion water and add in some marinade of your choice, it would be more like a beef and veggies skillet…or add a pre-made biscuit for a pasty or shepard’s pie type of meal).

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

4 potatoes

4-6 carrots

2 onions

olive oil

veggie or beef bullion

Aluminum Foil

Parchment Paper

Directions

Cut up veggies.  Dissolve bullion in water.  Lay 2 pieces of aluminum foil (12 x 12 at least) out on the table.   Pour a bit of oil on it then add 1/4 of the hamburger, carrots, potatoes and onion.  Pour 1/4 C of bullion water over along with salt, pepper and desired herbs and spices.  Wrap the foil up over meal making sure to seal it tightly.  Now, place the packet into the fire on the hot coals and allow to “bake” for 30-40 min, until the veggies are tender.  Then take off coals and allow to sit for about 10 min, otherwise the steam inside could burn you.  Then enjoy!

Banana Boats

These are a fun little desert treat that’s different than the traditional campfire s’mores.  You can use any toppings you’d like including chocolate sauce, honey, jam, peanutbutter, marshmallows, or a combination there of.

Ingredients

Bananas – enough to feed everyone at least once, plus some extra

Toppings – including, but not limited to, chocolate, chocolate sauce, peanut butter, marshmallows, honey, nutella, and jam

Aluminum Foil

Directions

Lay two pieces of aluminum foil down on the table.   Place un-peeled banana on top of foil.  Slice banana down the middle.  Add toppings down the middle of the banana in the slit you just made.  Wrap the foil around banana and toppings.  Then, place in fire for 5-10 min.   Remove from campfire and open the packet.  Mush ingredients together some more and eat up.  Yum!