Cooking food in general can be an art; especially in a fully loaded kitchen. When camping we like to rough it and do things with the bare minimum. When it comes to cooking we cook with the bare minimum unless we are glamping (but that’s a whole another topic). Everyone gets tired of the same meals even when camping. So instead of hamburgers and hot dogs for every meal we may try chicken. But honestly you are able to make most meals on a campfire as you do at home.
Fast, quick meals!
Before camping or during shopping for camping you start to plan the meals you will make during the camping trip. We think of quick, easy meals so we can have fun and not slave over a fire for half the trip. Yes, hot dogs and hamburgers are easy and quicker than some meals. But there is nothing like eating a juicy chicken that has been marinating in Italian dressing or a steak that has been cooked over a campfire. So don’t be afraid to plan on some meals taking a little longer to cook; the taste will be well worth it!
I will have less time to have fun
Not true! Yes cooking the perfect juicy steak and potatoes will take longer to cook over a campfire than hot dogs. But the taste of a slowly cooked steak with a little smoke flavor and your favorite spices will be memorable how delicious that meal was. Also plan it out to send the kids to playground or ride their bikes around while you cook. While you are slow cooking your meal this is the time to clean up and organize your site for the day.
Too hot, and food burns
As anything cooking is an art even on a campfire. Flames are everyone’s worst enemy unless you are searing the food. The key to cook over a campfire is to get your campfire really hot where you have lots of hot coals (glowing red) being produced. Then let the majority of the flames die down where you see very little flames and lots of hot, red glowing coals. If you are using a tripod, set that over the campfire and use your hand to feel the heat to adjust the tripod grate. You will be surprised how much heat the campfire is producing with little to no flames. Then slowly cook whatever meal you are making. Adjust the tripod grate as the coals start to cool down.
Too simple and searing?
It is that simple! like I said cooking is an art. We just take it for granted sometimes or do not appreciate the art it is. To sear your food whether its steak, BBQ chicken or whatever build your fire up bigger and quickly put your tripod grate (with your food on it) in the fire for a few seconds or until you get that crisp you are looking for. Play around with it and learn your skill!
Besides meat, what else can I cook over a fire?
You can cook anything over a fire. Side dishes in a pot such as corn or beans is easy. Build your fire up and make it hot, then take your tripod place that over the campfire. Set your pot with the food inside it on the grate and cook away. Jiffy campfire pop corn is an excellent desert when relaxing around the fire before bed. Hillbilly sandwiches are excellent for lunch. especially my favorite is the pizza sandwiches.
Notes for you!
Do not cook over your garbage such as carboard. The inks and glues on the carboard can be absorbed in your food and you will ingest the harmful chemicals. Also as much as we love colorful flames they produce very toxic chemicals and you do not want to ingest that either. When cooking, cook your food slower over lower heat. It will take longer but the juices and flavors will not seep out or get burned off. This also helps from burning your food into charcoal.
What is your favorite meal to cook over a campfire?
Comments and questions post below.
Leave a Reply