A camping trip is a great way to get outdoors with family and friends, away from the hustle of daily life. Family camping is a considerable way to build a closer relationship with nature. Memories are shared, children experience the true reality of the world, far from the luxurious home living, and experience the quality time in which everyone is involved.
A good camping trip experience is to plan ahead, which means selecting the right site, making appropriate reservations assuring food is well stocked and implementing simple activities. Tent setup is one of the tasks that can easily lead to arguing and head shaking. But it’s also one of those activities that leave you feeling immensely accomplished when the tent is finally standing on its own.
Cooking over the campsite
The biggest secret for making every camping trip a success is not the weather prediction, not the crowd around, it’s simply keeping tummies happy, if that is so, then everyone is happy. Camp cooking is different but easy. Cooking over the campsite is one of the greatest memories one can create. Tons of tips, tricks, ideas, and recipes can boost the camping experience, as every meal tastes better in the outdoors.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE KITCHEN AT CAMP
There are various tips on arranging up a camp kitchen, selecting cooking gears, utensils, and making life easier at the camp. Cooking can be as simple as one desires, like hot dogs on a stick, or it can be a truly gourmet experience with fresh food baked over an open fire and much more. Some campers get really into the cooking in the wild while others just want to eat simple, so they can get out and do other things like sightseeing, fishing, or hiking. Everyone has their own style. Some of these tips might fit into your plans.
Cooking at a campsite can be quick, easy, painless, and delicious. Spices and herbs can intensify a meal and take up little space. There are many types of traditional camping meals, ranging from the simple one-pot mixture to multiple course dinners that include a main dish, side dishes, and even dessert. The following are some ideas for campsite food.
- Plan a simple and filling menu.
- Write down the menu for all meals for your trip. This helps you pack all the ingredients you will need.
- Purchase a quality camp stove. Propane stoves are easiest to use.
- Use block ice in your cooler. It lasts longer than cubes.
- Purchase a separate set of dishes, silverware, dishpan, towels, and soap, just for your camping trips.
- Use Dutch pots to cook meat thoroughly.
- Measure and combine dry ingredients in Ziploc bags prior to packing. Make sure you label the bag for the appropriate meal.
- Get a very small plastic cutting board. One just big enough to give you some clean food preparation surface.
- Bring small amounts of cooking supplies instead of large quantities. It will save quite a bit of packing space.
- Always bring extra matches.
- Bring a sponge that has a scrubber on one side, to make washing pots and dishes easier.
- Take dish-soap in a very small bottle, and fill it with just enough for your trip.
- Marshmallow forks can get kind of hot over the campfire, so keep the oven mitten in the list.
- Sharp knives will be in need of preparing food.
- Use Aluminum Foil for making packet meals.
- Bring a can opener.
- A percolator is handy to store a great amount of tea for everyone.
- Take your own small portable charcoal grill just in case the one at the campground isn’t usable.
Food Preparation before arrival
Make things a little easier when camping is by doing a lot of the food preparation at home a day before.
- Meals that can be cooked at home ahead of time, and travel well in a cooler, will save a lot of time especially on the first night of the trip. Precooked meats will last longer in the cooler than raw meats.
- Meat should be frozen before packing, as it will last longer.
- Chopping vegetables and storing them in air-tight containers.
- Shaping hamburger patties at home or buying pre-formed patties to take along.
- Bring box mixes for things like pancakes so you don’t have to spend time measuring and mixing individual ingredients.
- Packing all the ingredients for a single meal together so everything is easy to find and ready to use.
- Bringing single-serving containers of things like condiments that can be used and discarded without taking up a lot of space.
- Purchasing pre-cooked versions of some foods, such as hot dogs so less time can be consumed in cooking.
Grilled Hamburgers
Nothing tastes relatively as good as a thick, juicy hamburger, that has been grilled over an open grill. Burgers can be enjoyed plain, brushed with barbecue and mayo sauce.
Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is an incredible side to enjoy at camp. Simply grill when cooking the main course and wrap it in foil or cook them in their own husks.
Barbecue Chicken
Barbecue chicken is a popular camping meal. This traditional chicken requires no work beyond brushing the cuts of chicken with a flavorful seasoning and allow the meat to cook on a grill or over an open campfire.
Shish Kebab
Shish Kebabs are a great choice for camping meals because they are easy to make and include both meat and vegetables.
Grilled Steak
Steaks are a great main dish choice to prepare on the grill at the campsite.
Baked Potato
Baked potatoes are one of the most popular campground cooking sides. Simply pack a choice of baked potatoes to toss on the grill when cooking steaks, burgers, or any other main course. Poke holes in the potatoes with a fork, then wrap each one in aluminum foil and place on the grill.
Chips and Salsa
Chips and salsa are another great side choice for snacks.
S ‘mores
S ‘mores are the perfect sweet treat to end a delicious campground dinner. The delicious combination of warm and gooey marshmallows and chocolate sandwiched between graham crackers just cannot be beaten.
A little bit of humor, some acting, singing, creative participation can build some great memories. This is fun for a bigger group and can keep the kids busy while they are at camp. Overall, family camping is a great way to enjoy nature, away from the hurdles of life.