The real key to sublime campground fare is simple and found in every kitchen -- aluminum foil.
Virtually any meat or veggie can be sliced, seasoned, wrapped in foil and tossed on a campfire until it's cooked to perfection, meaning you can leave camping pots and pans at home, and after-meal cleanup will be a breeze.
A Traditional Menu
If you can't imagine camping without burgers, consider venison burgers for a tasty, lower-fat treat.
Cover burger patties with slices of raw onion, salt and pepper and just a few pats of butter before wrapping them in foil.
Toss the foil-wrapped packets into the fire or on a grill grate over the fire, turning them regularly until the packets sizzle and the meat inside is no longer pink.
Dress them with lettuce, tomato slices, sweet onion, ketchup and mustard for a traditional burger, or crumbled blue cheese and caramelized onion for something a bit more exotic.
Serve with roasted potatoes, also cooked in foil wrapped packets, or baked potatoes, which can be wrapped and placed directly on the fire's coals, where they can bake to perfection.
Camping Food From the Sea
Salmon is a hearty fish that can hold up to a campfire or grill, and it tastes great eaten outdoors under the stars.
Before wrapping the salmon, drench it in a dill-lime marinade. The sauce will help the fish stay moist, and the flavors will deepen as the fish cooks.
Serve the salmon plain, or toss up a grilled corn and tomato salsa to serve on top.
As a side, zucchini is a lovely complement. Slice squash, onion and green bell pepper, drizzle with olive oil and a bit of Italian seasoning and fold into foil packets. For veggies that are more delicate, like squash or asparagus spears, double wrap with foil before placing them on the fire or grill. Allow the oil to sizzle and steam the vegetables until they are tender.
To grill corn, either butter and season each cob before wrapping it to be tossed in the fire, or soak the cobs in water while they're still in their husks before placing them on the grill, where you will cook them until the husks are toasted and the corn inside is tender.
Sweet Treats
Apple pie is a snap when made with spiced apple pie filling and slices of soft white bread.
- Spoon pie filling between slices of bread, spread the outside of each slice generously with butter and wrap in foil.
- Toast each side until bread is toasted and filling is warm and bubbly.
- Dust bread with cinnamon sugar before serving.
- Blueberry or cherry pie filling is also lovely with this easy-as-pie recipe.
