Simple Whole Food Camp Cooking Guaranteed to Impress is the final installment in Everything You Need to Know About Camping. The series was written to help calm your apprehensions about camping and get you out into the great outdoors. If you’ve never tried camping before, the idea of getting outdoors and next to nature can be a little overwhelming. Questions arise quickly… “Where should I go?” “What should I take?” and “What will I eat?” are just a few that come to mind. Let’s start from the beginning and break it all down to see if we can get you outdoors and up close and personal to nature. Hopefully after reading a few of these ideas you will be out building a fire, cooking up great meals and leaving all your cares behind in no time flat.
Here is a brief recap of the series so far.
Part – 1 So You Want To Go Camping answered for us a few simple questions: “What is camping?” “Why should I go?” and “Where should I go?”
Part 2 – 10 Must Haves When Camping helped us to understand 10 of the most important things needed to help prepare for a successful camping trip.
Part 3 – Let’s Get Cooking took us through the different methods of cooking when camping.
Part 4 – 5 Essential Tools for Camp Cooking served to inform you of the necessary equipment needed to set up a camp kitchen. At last we come to part 5. My favorite in the series. Cooking!
THREE RULES FOR SUCCESS
If you’ve been following the series and preparing accordingly you now have everything you need to prepare some pretty amazing camp food. No need to stock up on the processed hot dogs, canned beans, chips and cookies. It’s not necessary to leave behind healthy eating when you walk out the door. I’ve gathered together a few of my own tried and true recipes and a few exceptional ones from around the web to help get your creative juices flowing, but first a few simple rules to make your life easier when cooking in the great outdoors.
- A little preparation goes a long way. Take a few extra minutes at home to do a little prep work. Dice veggies, chop meat and put together seasonings ahead of time for that great stew you’re planning. The stew will be a cinch to make at camp and won’t take any more effort than putting everything in the pan. Another great idea is to put your fabulous pancake dry mix together ahead of time into a heavy duty plastic bag. When it’s time for breakfast simply add the wet ingredients right into the bag, close up the bag and knead to mix. Cut a small corner from one of the corners of the bag and you have a perfect spout with no big mess to clean up afterwards.
- Keep it simple. Save the elaborate meals for home and stick to simple whole food ingredients. Appetites are always greatly enhanced when camping in the great outdoors. There is something about that fresh air and the open spaces; everything just tastes better. The simplest fare is fit for a king. Jumping through a bunch of hoops will only get you tired and cranky. Trust me…I am the voice of experience on this one. No one will notice anyway.
- Have Fun. Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. Involve everyone in the process by making the meal all about community. Get everyone involved and give them a few choices to make the meal their own. Then sit back and enjoy the fun of whose food tastes the best or whose ideas you want to try next time. Keep in mind that food is a powerful connector. Take advantage of the opportunity and connect!
With these simple building blocks your Simple Whole Food Camp Cooking can’t help but succeed. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
SIMPLE WHOLE FOOD CAMP COOKING RECIPES GUARANTEED TO IMPRESS
Campfire Breakfast Potatoes: Dirty Gourmet
Breakfast
- Campfire Breakfast Potatoes: Dirty Gourmet
- Pumpkin Pancakes: Dirty Gourmet
- Hearty Whole Grain Pancakes
- Campfire Raspberry Double Dutch Baby
- Pistachio and Raisin Breakfast Couscous
- Campfire Eggs
Pressed Italian Sandwiches: Pure Grace Farms
Lunch
- Pressed Italian Sandwiches: Pure Grace Farms
- Feels Like Summer Chicken Salad Sandwiches: Dirty Gourmet
- Quesadilla Salad: Dirty Gourmet
- Grilled Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Sandwiches: Living Light
- Happy Camper Pasta Salad Bar
Happy Camper Turkey Chili: Pure Grace Farms
Dinner
- Happy Camper Turkey Chili: Pure Grace Farms
- Grilled Salmon in Foil: Pure Grace Farms
- Happy Camper Pasta Salad Bar: Pure Grace Farms
- Shrimp with Avocado Mango Salsa in Foil: Epicurean
- Summer Grilled Potato Medley: Pure Grace Farms
- 5 Ingredient One Pot Meals: Dirty Gourmet
Dutch Oven Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler: Dirty Gourmet
Dessert
- Ginger Lemon S’mores: Dirty Gourmet
- Dutch Oven Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler: Dirty Gourmet
- Chocolate and Peanut Butter S’mores
- Caramel Apples in Foil
Simple Whole Food Camp Cooking shared with:
In The Kitchen with Jenny: Foodie Friends Friday *Momma Lew *2 Crochet Hooks: Snickerdoodle Sunday *Mrs Tee Love Life Laughter: Mommy Monday Blog Hop *The Kolb Corner: Merry Monday Link Party *Creative K Kids: Bloggers Brags *Plucky’s Second Thoughts *April J. Harris: Hearth and Soul Blog Hop *Create With Joy: Wordless Wednesday *Creative K Kids: Tasty Tuesdays *Recipes for Our Daily Bread: Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop *Hot Mama’s Kitchen: The Yuck Stops Here
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Great Ideas! Thanks for linking up to Creative K’s Tasty Tuesday Linky. I’ve pinned your post to the Tasty Tuesday board.
Thanks Anna. I appreciate you stopping by.
Blessings,
Shari
I love camp fire cooked foods. Salmon is one of my favorites. Thanks for linking at The Yuck Stops Here. Hope to see you again next week.
Chrystal @ YUM eating recently posted…Bring the Family Together Lasagna
Thanks Chrystal. Love your party and I will be sure to stop by again next week.
Blessings,
Shari
I am saving all these hints/tips and recipes because i know I will need them!! You have some yummy choices too!
Kristina & Millie recently posted…Art work for Rami’s Bedroom
That’s great. Camping is where I find my happy place. Great food makes it better! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Shari
Holy smokes I want to go camping with you! It totally looks like gourmet meals at camp compared to our hot dogs…lol. Thanks for sharing your camping tips on Merry Monday. The tips are great for anyone planning a camping trip.
Erlene recently posted…Back to School Lunch Tips – Part 1
You can tag along anytime 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. It is always appreciated. Have a wonderful rest of your week.
Blessings,
Shari
I’m impressed! Never would think of some of these for camping. Beautiful meals. Thank you for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest board.
Carie Spence recently posted…Lime in the Coconut….
Thank you Carie. Camping meals don’t have to be boring. I love mixing it up a bit. I appreciate you stopping by and taking a moment to comment. It makes my day.
Blessings,
Shari
All of this looks amazing…where is my invite?! 🙂
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Jess recently posted…Link Up #48
It is in the mail 🙂 Thanks Jess. Thanks for stopping by and the great party!
Blessings,
Shari
Awesome ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Michal recently posted…Ginger and plum cupcakes
Thanks Michal. 🙂
Shari,
I love the pasta salad bar idea. This would be easy and everyone would love it. I also think it would be a lot less stress and your could enjoy your experience better if you organize and plan your meals.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Thanks Diane, it was a big hit at the last camping trip we had with the whole family. It was my daughter Shelly’s idea. Everyone loved it. I agree wholeheartedly about organization and making a plan. Everything seems to flow smoother. Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Shari
Shari, I LOVE your series and all that you’re doing to make camping, cooking and enjoying the outdoors approachable, practical and down-right FUN. Thank you for all your hard work on this one. Shared all over. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
You are so sweet Carrie. The series has been a fun one. I have enjoyed sharing one of my passions. It’s kinda nice to have a blog 🙂
Blessings,
Shari
This is a fantastic series, Shari. Although I have to confess that I am not a camper, I am sharing it for those who are. Plus, I think everyone can get some good ideas from it.
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy recently posted…Welcome to the Let’s Get Real Party #53
Thanks Gaye I sure do appreciate it.
Blessings,
Shari
As much as I am not a camping person (as you know), you meals here has me wishing I was and could go now. Thanks Shari and might just have to try a few of these without even going camping now!! 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…Step into Summer & July GLOSSYBOX
No camping necessary to try these great recipes! 🙂
Blessings,
Shari