Creating a Delicious and Nourishing Dinner when Camping
Camping is a great way to get close to nature and spend quality time with family and friends. While the joys of camping may seem obvious, it doesn’t come without its challenges. One of these is feeling the satisfaction of a nutritious and tasty dinner while you’re away from home. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when first trying to figure out how to make a delicious dinner while camping – but it doesn’t have to be.
As a father of three young kids and a long-term camper, I know what it takes to make a satisfying dinner when camping. Here are some of my tips and tricks for preparing a nourishing feast while living out of a tent – so that you can make the most of your camping experience.
Plan Ahead
The best way to ensure that you can still create a hearty meal even when you’re living out of a backpack is to plan ahead. Make a list of all the ingredients and equipment which you’ll need, then use this to determine what type of food you can make and which foods you’ll need to ensure survive your trip. Additionally, plan time for shopping prior to the trip and packing after you’ve sourced all the necessary items. This will make it easier for you to put together a tasty dinner away from your kitchen.
Day One Meals
For your first night, focus on cooking foods which won’t quickly spoil. Things like canned beans, hard cheeses and sausages will all last longer and provide you with some basic sustenance. Add some tacos to the mix, which you can easily add vegetables to and create a taco bar that the whole camp can enjoy. If you’re looking for something a bit more exotic, why not try a Farro salad?
Easy One-Pot Meals
A great way to provide nutritious and delicious meals without the hassle of cooking separate items is to cook up one-pot meals. These are easy to make and don’t require any fuss or mess. Classic camping favorites such as shepherd’s pie, creamy pasta, and chili con carne are all perfect for cooking inside of one-pot meals and provide a bit of variety.
Campfire Cooking
If you’re looking for a truly authentic camping experience, why not try cooking your meals over a campfire. There are a few ways to do this, including roasting marshmallows and making s’mores, as well as the classic campfire favourites of bread-on-a-stick, baked potatoes, and hot dogs. Also, vegetables and proteins can be cooked over the fire once you’ve pre-cooked them.
To create truly delectable meals, it’s worth adding a variety of seasonings and herbs to your food. You may not be able to pack everything you need – such as fresh garlic, ginger, oregano, and cumin – but you can easily buy them at your nearest camping store or grocery store. Alternatively, you could also bring some delicious ready-prepared marinades or sauces to spice up your meal.
Pack Efficiently
When it comes to packing for dinner, the most important advice I have is to pack efficiently. Often, it’s too easy to get over-ambitious and bring too much food. It’s recommended to bring only enough food for one meal per person or two meals per person if you’re eating light. You can save some of your ingredients for later meals such as leftovers. And be sure to bring large Ziploc bags to store your ingredients and avoid them going bad in the cooler.
The Key to a Delicious Camp Meal
In order to create a delicious and nourishing meal while camping, the main key is preparation. When you’re able to think ahead and plan your meals around the equipment, ingredients, and recipes that you have available – you can create a truly fulfilling camp dining experience that everyone can enjoy.
It’s also useful and fun to watch some helpful videos before you set off – so you can gain some dinner inspiration while camping. This video shows a few of my favorite easy camping recipes:
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