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!

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We made Spanish Rice the other night to go with our Enchiladas that Mr. T. made.  It was really yummy – and then, we used the extra, along with some black beans and cheese to make some kickin’ burritos.  How great is that!

Spanish rice is  really easy to make, healthy, super cheap and adds a bit of something to a lot of different meals.  So, here’s the recipe, enjoy…and make extra cause it’ll all disappear!

Ingredients

1 C white rice

1/2 pepper

1 small onion

2 garlic cloves (more if you really like garlic)

2 T olive oil

10 oz can of chopped/diced tomatoes – or 1 ripe fresh tomato

2 C veggie or meat broth – or water but broth gives more flavor

chili powder to taste

cumin to taste

(a little goes a long way with the spices so be careful)

Directions

Chop pepper, onion, and garlic.  Saute with oil and add rice.  Cook until rice is browned a bit.  Then, add tomatoes and their juices.  Cook for about 5 min then add water.  Cook until all liquid is absorbed then serve.

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The 4th of July is not only a day to celebrate our country, its also a day to celebrate food!  Parades, Fireworks, and BBQs are traditional parts of 4th of July celebrations in the United States.

To help you carry on the tradition of great food on the 4th,  here are some amazing recipes to help you serve up some tasty eats and treats to go along side the prerequisite burgers, dogs.

They’ll help you create a fabulous party of your own, or, if you’re heading to a party – don’t show up empty handed.  You’ll be a total hit if you bring any one (or two!) of these recipes.

Potato Salad

From allrecipes.com, a basic version of the classic summertime dish.  Add things like bacon, dill pickles, deli mustard….or whatever else you can come up with to make this recipe your own.

Ingredients

• 5 pounds red potatoes
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender but still firm. Drain, cool and cut into cubes.
2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
3. In a large bowl, combine chopped potatoes and eggs. Mix together mayonnaise, chopped onion, green onion, green pepper, and celery. Season with salt and pepper, then mix well. Cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Stars and Stripes Berry Cake

This is what I’m making for desert on the 4th of July.  I., K., and O. are all huge berry fans, as is Mr. T.  It’s really simple, festive, and….Yummy!

Best of all, this time of year I can make it with fresh, local blueberries and strawberries!

YUM!!

Ingredients

• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup butter
• 4 cups confectioners sugar
• 2-6 T milk
• 2 t vanilla
• 2 cups blueberries
• 2.5 cups strawberries sliced

Directions

1. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.  Add eggs, milk, applesauce, and vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.
2. Pour batter into greased and floured 9×13 inch pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Let the cake cool.
4. Make the icing by blending the butter, confectioners sugar and enough milk to get the right consistency, as well as the vanilla.  Mix it for several minutes to make it whipped.
5. Then ice the cake.  After you’re done add the blueberries in the upper left corner, for the field of blue.  Then, slice the strawberries in half, and make the stripes.

Tropical Punch

Every good BBQ needs punch and this one really has….punch!  Its non-alcoholic, although I’m sure if you tried you could remedy that!

Here’s a tip, be sure all the juices and the water/soda are chilled already so you don’t have to dilute the punch by adding ice.

Ingredients

32 oz bottle pineapple juice

32 oz orange juice

32 oz mango juice

32 oz sparkling water or lemon lime soda

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl or pitcher and serve.

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