Camping Ideas & Easy Camp Food Recipes!

CAMPING IDEAS:
 Let your kids & teenagers cook! One of the most fun ways to get kids & teens involved in the camping experience is by having aluminum-foil cooking. Use the heavy duty foil and make sure that you double fold on all seams – you don’t want the juices to run out. Punch a couple of holes in whole potatoes. Add butter and salt and them wrap ’em up.
Take a fish fillet, wrap a veggie or two in with it along with some butter and seal the whole thing. Lay it on the red coals and listen to it sizzle. A whole meal! Season some precooked meat. Believe it or not, stuff it into a hollowed-out tomato, pepper, an onion, or even an orange! Stick it on the hot coals for at least ten minutes. You will be amazed at what a simmering job will do to the taste of this meat. Corn on the cob can’t be beat when you wrap it in foil, and set in on the coals! Add a pat of butter before wrapping, and be sure to turn it. Do you need foil? No, just peel back the leaves, remove the silk, then pull the leaves back over the corn. Easy!

Camp Kabobs

For each person, have a quarter of a pound of meat, a half a potato, and a half an onion. Each teen should get his or her own “kebob” stick.

Cut the meat into 1 inch squares.
Cut the potatoes into thin slices.
Cut the onions into lengthwise sections.
Spear the food on in this pattern:
meat – potato – onion.
Keep up this pattern until all of the food has been used – make sure the teens squeeze it all on! Then dip the entire food length into cooking oil. Have a large bed of live red coals raked to the side of the fire for the cooking. Make sure the teens constantly rotate the stick to ensure even cooking.

Coal Baked Potatoes

Tent and tree in the woodsCoat medium size potatoes with oil and wrap in heavy duty foil. Place in hot coals and let cook turning occasionally. Stick a fork in them to see if they are done. Should be done after a half hr.
Note: When we were wilderness camping in Russia, we didn’t have the luxury of foil. We placed the potatoes right in the hot coils. No they didn’t burn, when they were done, we peeled off the peeling and ate them. The peeling added more flavor actually, and kept the ash from getting all over the potato.

Foil Dinner

 Place a hamburger patty, sliced potatoes, slice of onion and sliced carrots or celery, season with salt and pepper. Wrap it up in heavy duty foil and place on hot coals or on top of a grill. Turn after 15 minutes and let cook 15 minutes more, remove from coals, let cool a little, open and eat. Note:You can put in the foil packages pretty much what you want.

Marshmallow Taffy

Marshmallow Taffy is easy to make. With clean fingers, take a marshmallow between your thumb and pointing finger. With your other hand’s thumb and pointing finger, pull the marshmallow, yet holding on to it tightly, reverse the pulling, and keep doing this until you see it becoming taffy. You can pull it till it becomes soft and smooth like taffy. Then when it becomes taffy you eat it and lick your fingers. Keep some wet wipes handy.

Hiker’s Dessert

6 cups Cheerios
2 cups raisins
2 cups M&Ms
2 cups peanuts
1 cup miniature marshmallows
Toss all ingredients together carefully. Makes 12 cups
See more snacks to make, like Chex Mix and Crispix Mixes

Instant Orange Juice

Take an orange, and with a knife cut out the core in a small circle to about half way down in the orange. Hand it to the child and tell them they can make their own orange juice if they squeeze the orange on the sides, and slurp the juice as it comes out the top.
After they have drank the juice, they use their fingers to pull open the orange and eat the rest!
Campfire Tip:
Pack charcoal briquettes into cardboard egg cartons and tie shut. There is no mess, and you can light them right in the grill.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob:

Peel back the leaves and remove the hair. Fold leaves back over the corn . Let soak in water for at least an hour, then secure with a twistie, and place on grill, turning every ten minutes until done in about 30 to 40 minutes.
To butter the corn easily. Use a largemouth quart jar. Fill half full with hot water, insert several stick of butter and let melt. The butter will float to the top. Dip the Corn on the Cob in the jar and the butter will coat it perfectly as you remove it.

Hobo Popcorn

Individual containers of popped corn
4 squares heavy foil, each 4×4 inches
4 tsp. cooking oil
1/4 c. popcorn
string
In center of each square of foil, place 1 tsp. oil and 1 tablespoon popcorn. Bring the foil corners together to make a pouch. Seal edges well, allowing for expansion of the popped corn. With a string, tie each pouch to a long stick. Place pouch directly on coals and shake constantly till corn is popped. Season with butter and salt.

Camping Hobo Recipes

Hi Y’all!

Who is ready for a Camping Trip?? We are! Here is a couple of recipes I have that are tried and true. I even make them at home. The kids love the foil pack dinners, and I love them because it’s easy clean up. 

 

Hobo Hamburger Patty Dinner

 

Ingredients

 

  • 4 hamburger patties
  • 3 medium sliced potatoes
  • 2 medium sliced carrots
  • 1 small sliced onion
  • sliced bell peppers

 

Directions

 

Put one patty on tin foil and add some sliced potatoes, sliced bell peppers and carrots on top with a little onion and salt and pepper. Fold the tin foil to seal and put on the grill or in a 350 degree F oven for 1 hour.
 

Sausage HOBO Dinner 

1 2 lb ring of garlic sausage, cut in 1 1/2 to 2 ” pieces 
8 small to medium new red potatoes, quartered 
8 medium onions, quartered 
8 nice sized carrots, cut in 1″ pieces 
4 yellow summer squash, cut in 1″ pieces 
4 green bell peppers. seeded and cut in 1/2″ strips 
liquid smoke sauce 
sea salt and ground pepper to taste 
8 good sized sheets of tin foil 
1 stick of butter
 

Wash and prepare all the veggies.

Divide them into four equal parts and place on four sheets of tin foil.

Put the sausage in with the veggies.

Sprinkle liquid smoke and salt and pepper over each packet.

Dot with 1/4 stick butter in each pack.

Fold foil over meat and veggies to seal.

Turn packs over and place on second set of tin foil sheets.

Fold and seal. Place in a 350 F oven for about 1 hour or place on a medium heat grill for about the same time. Make sure you cut the potatoes and onions in small enough pieces that they will get done.

To make your prep time easier, I cut all my veggies and place them in a sealed ziplock bag and put them in a cooler on top of the other foods. In another ziplock bag I have the cut of meat. You can use beef, turkey, pork, chicken and preseason the meat to save another step and place in ziplock bags then assemble when you get to the campsite or assemble it all and have in foil packets, then seal it in a container in the cooler. Whatever you can think of ahead of time to do, do it to free your time so you can have fun too! 

Enjoy y’all!

 

 

 
 

Homemade Beef Stew & Cornbread

I made homemade Beef Stew, & Cornbread for dinner tonight. I was surprised by a much needed visit from my 2nd born child for dinner tonight. Our table was surrounded by lots of stew, cornbread, second helpings, everyone talking and telling stories, laughing and just enjoying one another. 
I browned 4 lbs of beef stew meat in olive oil, added 1 sliced onion, 2 packets of Lipton Onion Soup Mix, 1 can of whole peeled tomatoes, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 can of water, salt & pepper, and 2 Bay leaves and allowed it to cook on low on the stove top for about 2 hours stirring occasionally. Then I added several peeled and cut potatoes and carrots and allowed it to cook until done. Served with Cornbread.Image

Weight Watcher Mexican Meatloaf

Mexican Meatloaf (Weight Watchers)
Number of Servings: 6

Ingredients
1/2 lb extra lean ground beef 
( I bought 1 lb lean ground beef)
1/2 lb lean ground turkey
2 large egg whites
2 oz cornbread stuffing mix (about 1 cup)
(I am using whole wheat bread)
1 medium onion
( I am adding chopped green bell pepper)
1/2 tsp chili powder 
( I am using one packet of McCormick Taco Seasoning) 
1/4 tsp ground cumin
4 oz can green chili peppers, diced
8 oz canned enchilada sauce

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray. Combine beef, turkey, egg whites, onion, stuffing mix, chili powder, cumin, chilies and 1/2 enchilada sauce. 
I saute the onions and bell pepper a little then add it to the meat and bake. I like them soft in the meatloaf. 
Shape into a loaf on the broiler pan. 
( I am using a glass loaf dish) 
Cook for 1 hour. 
Top with remaining enchilada sauce and cook another 5 minutes.

You can always add to or omit what you like or dislike. 

Serving this meatloaf with mashed potatoes made by scratch and sweet corn.

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Mixed up and ready to sit in the fridge a while. 

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I like to use the Ziplock Glass Dishes with Lids. I mix up the meatloaf and let it set hours to overnight to allow the ingredients to get to know one another. 

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The finished meal 

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Grocery Sale Ad Tips

Hi everyone! I bought a 8.38 pound Pork Picnic Shoulder Roast on sale for .99 a lb costing me $8.30. I should be able to make 2-3 meals out of it for a family of 5. Right now I have Porky in the Crock Pot and I added Hidden Ranch Dressing Mix on it as it’s cooking (really good!). 
* Tips * Always look at your Grocery Store Sale Ads, it will save you a lot of money. Sometimes they have ‘limits’ on how much you can buy. If I need to stock my freezer back up, I will either have my husband go with me and we purchase the required limit each separately or I make two trips to the store before the sale ends.
I only buy what I will need and have room for in my freezer. Usually within 4-6 weeks you’ll see that same sale again.
Stores use their Sales to draw customers in for business. I’ve learned to go in and buy the ‘sale items’ then walk straight to check out. That way I am staying on budget, getting exactly what I ‘need’, keeping on track and staying on top of my meal planning.

How I pack for our trips

This is how I pack our bags. I pack in Sets. I take the Bottom (shorts, jeans, skirt) and fold them at the side seams flat, then put one pair under garment, one pair of socks unfolded, and a matching Top. Then I go to the bottom of the Pants/Shorts/Skirt and start rolling it upward tucking it all inside and lay it all flat down inside the suitcase. I pack 5 sets of clothes, 2 pairs of pj’s, one swimwear, and a jacket for Fall, or Spring for each person, with their personal toiletries (in a bag, or ziplock bag) in their personal suitcase. Since the boys are still small they share a suitcase. One side is for one and the other side is for the other. I also color-code all three. They know their color and I don’t have to mark names on items. (See travel colored toothbrushes in picture) 
I bring along a lot of movies for the road. When and if they get bored we find a Red Box and Rent something new and fresh. 
While driving I dress everyone very comfy. I like to wear Yoga stretchy pants for comfort. No one is going to see us, we’re just driving, lol. 
I bring Olay make-up removal pads (to save the hotel’s wash clothes from my make-up stains), liquid hand soap, TP, Lysol wipes, and a clothes stain stick ( for food and drink spills). It helps us stay clean on the road.
I keep a roll of quarters, laundry soap, and a fold-able laundry hamper in a bag while traveling. If we need clean clothes, I do laundry at the hotel. I’ve been known to wash clothes at hotels (most hotels have a guest washer & dryer) just so I don’t have to do laundry when I get home. And the sets are clean and I keep those sets in the suitcases for the next trip. ( We travel a lot! ) If a set gets a hole, a stain I can not get out, or simply worn out, I go buy another set to replace it.  I bring plastic bags and place in each travel bag/suitcase in case there is a set of clothes that needs to be washed. I keep a stain stick in them to pre-treat the garment so the stain doesn’t set in.

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Ziplock Bags for Road Trips

The Ziplock flat bags to the far back right is prepared frozen meals. Spaghetti, Chili, and the top is Pork Chop Sirloin I am putting in the Ninja today with Potatoes and Carrots. The Sandwich size Ziplock bag in the front, one is measured Pancake Mix, and the other is measured Oatmeal with cooking directions. Mexican Green Sauce in the Mason Jar, and BBQ Rib Meat in the Ziplock twist container. I bring measuring cups, spoons and cooking utenils, and paper plates ( from bulk, that I put in a large Ziplock bag to keep them clean and together) A Plastic locked container for Sugar, a Pampered Chef liquid and dry container (far back left). Kitchenware like utensils, cups, etc. I go to Resale Shops and Garage Sales and pick up items and store them in our Travel Kitchen Kit so I can keep my good kitchen items are safe at home and they don’t get lost or broken.

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Homemade Pimento Cheese Sandwiches for lunch.

I love a good Pimento Cheese sandwich with a cold glass of iced sweet tea. I guess I got that from my late Maw Maw Stevens. She always had a gallon or two of sweet tea and a tub full of Pimento Cheese in her fridge.

I was hungry for Pimento Cheese today and thought I’d give it a try and make it myself. I used 2 cups of Sharp Shredded Cheese ( on sale @ Kroger ) then I diced about 1/4 cup of Sweet Roasted Red Peppers ( on clearance for .50 cents!) and added 1/4 cup of Hellmann’s Mayo, a spoonful of Miracle Whip and a little bit of the sweet roasted red pepper juice and mixed it all up well. I used Texas Toast bread, and Whole Wheat Multigrain bread and cut the sandwiches and served. It tasted so good, and I will never buy Pimento Cheese in a tub again. I will always have a little on hand in the fridge for these little cravings I get for Pimento Cheese! * TIP – could store in a container in a cold ice chest for on the road trip   snacks, and lunches *

Enjoy, y’all . . .  it’s so good!

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Scrambled Egg & Cheese grilled on Texas Toast Bread

I whisked 12 eggs in a bowl, added a little milk, and real butter, then I scrambled it all in a cast iron skillet on low heat until fluffy. ( Please take your time scrambling eggs, if they are over done they taste like rubber) 

In another skillet I added real butter and toasted 2 slices of Texas Toast Bread, and added the cooked scrambled eggs, and add shredded cheese on top the eggs, then put another slice of Texas Toast Bread on top and flipped it over and grilled that side until golden brown. I cut it in a triangle shape (just like the way my Maw Maw always cut all my sandwiches).

I served it with a Kiwi & Banana Fruit Salad and Orange Juice. And don’t forget the Cholula Sauce!  Enjoy y’all!

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Texas Size Chocolate Chip Cookie

This recipe was sent to me today from a friend. When I saw it I knew I had to make it and try it out. Everything is Big in Texas, even our Cookies!

Dry ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Wet ingredients:
1 1/2 sticks softened unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
12 ounces chocolate chips – semisweet, milk chocolate, or both


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the cooking surface of a cast iron skillet with butter, including the sides.
In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt, set aside. 
In a larger bowl, mix together the wet ingredients: butter, sugar, and brown sugar. After the sugar and butter are creamed together, add egg and vanilla. Mix them all together until thoroughly blended.
Pour the dry ingredients into the large bowl and mix them together with the wet ingredients a little at a time until all mixed well. 
Pour in the chocolate chips and mix it all together.
Empty your batter into the cast iron skillet. Using a large spoon or spatula, spread it all out over in the well buttered iron skillet.
Place the skillet in your oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes (depending how fast your oven bakes – Check on them at 25 – 30 minutes to be sure) at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
After their done (poke cookie with a toothpick and comes out clean), remove the hot cast iron skillet from the oven and let it rest for at least five to ten minutes, in order for the cookie to settle.
Serve. Be careful not to burn yourself – the chocolate will still be hot and gooey. Enjoy Y’all!

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