Camping Culinary Treats

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Are you ready to escape and reconnect with nature and head out to enjoy a bit of camping this Summer?  How about getting creative too with some campfire cooking – we’ve put together some suggestions of where to go, what to take and some recipe inspiration to try also.

So you’ve decided you want to go camping and also to travel as light as possible and cook yourself.  We’ve collated some camping dinner hacks so you don’t end up taking too much.

Camping dinner hacks:

• Couscous is probably the easiest to prep grain and there are some tasty flavoured couscous mixes out there that require you to just add boiled water and wait 5 minutes. No simmering (thus saving fuel) or potential mess draining excess liquid.
• Chorizo will keep for days and the oil rendered for frying onion or other delights.
• Put an egg on it. A boiled or fried egg is a good option for adding protein and interest to almost any savoury dish. Use a lightweight egg container to transport your eggs with minimal risk of breakage.
• Tinned fish like mackerel or tuna are another great to add to pasta, couscous, or stuffed in a pita or flatbread for an easy sandwich.
• Carry foods that double as a snack and a dinner accoutrement such as cured meat, cheese, and olives, all of which can be added to couscous or pasta.
• Make a quick Japanese noodle pot with instant miso broth, rice noodles or soba noodles, plus vegetables, fresh or dried.
• Use your freezer for more day one options: frozen meat or fish can be removed from the freezer just before take-off and will thaw throughout the day. Cook it that evening for your supper.
• Use mini bags and pots to transport herbs, spices, salt and pepper.
• Use dinner leftovers as part of your lunch the next day

Quick-cooking grains for camping dinners:

• Pasta (wholemeal or not)
• Couscous
• Bulgar wheat
• Quinoa
• Polenta
• Packets of pre-cooked rice or other grain

 Easy protein for camping dinners:

• Eggs
• Tinned mackerel, tuna, or other fish
• Cured meat
• Tinned chickpeas, lentils, and other pulses

Extras to make your camping dinners more interesting:

• Veggies
• Olive oil or coconut oil
• Dried herbs and spices
• Fresh herbs that travel well, particularly parsley, rosemary, thyme, and oregano
• Hard cheese like parmesan or Grana Padano – use a knife to shave off shards over any savoury meal

Top cookbook recommendations

The Wilderness cookbook by Phoebe Smith

The Camping cookbook by Annie Bell

The Camp dutch oven cookbook by Robin Donovan

The Campfire cookbook by Viola Lex

Camping cookbook by Simon Marshall

One-pot camping meal recipes

One-pot camping meals (or one skillet meals) can be made with just a single piece of cookware. Instead of using separate pans, for example, to boil water for pasta, simmer a sauce, and saute vegetables, one-pot meals simplify the process and make the camp cooking experience so much easier! View our video for a recipe suggestion too for a one pot sausage and bean dish.

Chickpea breakfast Hash with summer veggies

A protein packed gluten free and vegetarian dish perfect to start your day while camping or at home!

Source: Fresh Off The Grid, find the recipe here

Cast Iron Frittata

This easy frittata can be customised to use whatever vegetables and cheese you have on hand. We love this flavour combination of tomatoes, basil, and gruyere! Use your camping cup to measure out ingredients.

Source: Fresh Off The Grid, find the recipe here

Easiest Campfire Nachos

What better way to end the day outside than with a cold beer, warm campfire, and a big pot full of cheesy nachos?

Source: Fresh Off The Grid, find the recipe here

One-Pot Protein Pasta

Tomato sauce, pasta, and garlicky kale make up this protein-packed one-pot meal. Choose a vegetarian-friendly or vegan alternative cheese for a filling meal everyone around your campfire will enjoy!

Source: Fresh Off The Grid, find the recipe here

Rolo Stuffed Bananas

Who can say no to a chocolate and caramel banana?

Source: Delish, find the recipe here