Camp Cooking

[Jacci Barrow]

It won't be long now, hopefully, till the weather breaks and we can start camping again. With that in mind, does anyone have any camp cooking recipes they would like to share?

One of my favorites is mini pineapple upside down cakes made in recycled tuna fish cans. Save several tuna fish cans and wash them out really well.
Prepare a yellow cake mix as directed on the box. Spray each can with cooking spray and put one pineapple ring in the bottom of each can. If you like, put a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring. Fill the cans 1/2 - 2/3 full with the prepared cake mix. Put them on your grill and cover---depending on the heat you have they can cook as fast as 10 minutes. We use a gas grill so they cook pretty fast. You can also put them in a dutch oven with the lid on and cook them over coals. If the heat is too hot you will burn the bottoms. When they are done flip them out on a plate and enjoy! A little bit of coolwhip on the top is really yummy!

[Sharon Larkin]

Hey Jacci, y'all been ridin' lately?  How 'bout playin' your dice game?

[MARK & KIM]

As for the pots and pans you use for camping: Before you start cooking, rub the outside of each one with liquid soap, and line the inside with heavy-duty aluminum foil for cleaning ease. (Use caution when stirring to avoid tearing the aluminum.) When the meal is done, remove the foil, and wad it up for the recycling bin back home. The outside of the pots should easily wipe clean, because of the soap’s protection.

[Judy McKeehan]

We bought some campfire sandwich cookers at Walmart, a lot of camping places have them. You spray the inside, then put a slice of bread, pizza sauce, and anything else you like on pizza, put another piece of bread on top, close it up and lay it on the fire, cook until the bread is toasted, (just everyonce in awhile open the cooker to check it.) You can also use pizza dough cut to fit the square. We also use pie crust shells, cut them to fit and add some apple pie filling, really great. Just remember to spray the cookers well.

[Adrienne Walsh]

You go girl! I have never baked a cake in camp before, pretty much stick to the basics...things you can grill or cook on the campfire (hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, chicken, etc) for veggies it is usually corn on the cob or potatoes with various additives (onions, mushrooms, peppers, etc) cooked in foil on the campfire. We usually only get to stay for 2-3 days, so I don't have to get too creative to keep everyone happy and fed. A friend, Beth McCrelless sent me the cake in a mug recipe...I have just been scared to try it! Don't want to get addicted. If I can get more time off for camping I will have to extend my camp cooking repertoire. :)

[Jacci Barrow]

Hi Robin,
Thanks for the info. I actually have quite a few recipes and recipe books for camping. I just thought it would be fun for people to share some of their favorites.

[Robin Murray]

Hi Jacci, get online on the Western Horseman magazine website. They have good campground recipies.

[Jacci Barrow]

My bunch really likes sweets, so here is another easy recipe if you have a microwave.

MOST DANGEROUS CAKE RECIPE IN THE WORLD

FIVE MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!