Cooking and eating are an adventure. Eating is fun and so is fixing food to eat. There are so many activities that offer an opportunity to cook and eat. There is just something about camp cooking that is special. Cooking outdoors requires a different set of rules and equipment. Take time to plan some activities that will include food preparation, whether it is brought in a paper sack or food that will be prepared by the boys. Even cooking a hot dog or marshmallow can be a real challenge - having it cook just right and not burnt. Cooking is a skill and cooking outdoors with charcoal, wood or a buddy burner will take some skill. Take time to talk about what you plan to cook, discuss safety and practice fire building.
It is fun to beat eggs, mix pancakes, make a milkshake or cherry cobbler. It can be lots of fun as long as you know what you are doing. Don't be too ambitious to start with, remember the age of boys you are working with. Do simple recipes and progress as their skills develop. Outdoor food does not have to be cooked. A good lunch can be part of the day without having to take time out to cook. Maybe the first venture could be an after school snack.
Start out by getting yourself ready to cook.
You won't want to spend your whole day cooking while in camp. In the beginning, cooking will take up a lot of your time, but soon you'll learn a number of tricks that will get you out of the "kitchen" quickly.
One of the most important tricks in camp cookery is to have exactly the right kind of fire ready for the job on hand when you start cooking- quick flames if you have boiling to do, low flames for stewing, a bed of glowing coals for frying and broiling.
In the kitchen at home, your oven can be set for the exact temperature called for in a recipe. When camping, you can come close to determining correct temperature by learning the trick of counting seconds while holding your palm in at place where food will go.
A cookbook will call for specific measurements by the teaspoon, tablespoon, or cup. In camp, your fingers and palm will do. The measurements on the next page are for the average hand. Find out how they fit your hand by testing them at home against a measuring spoon and cup.
As you pick up other cooking tricks, make a note of them. You will find that they will come in handy sooner or later.
Before you cook outdoors you must have a fire. Remember that the fire makes the success of the cooking. Learn when to have a quick hot fire, when to have good coals, when to plan for a fire that burns for a long while. Firebuilding and cooking go hand in hand.
Building a fire is a big responsibility. Build a fire only where and if you have permission. You need a grown up around when building a fire. Care of the fire and fire prevention becomes the responsibilities of the person who lights the match. A good camper knows not only how to light a fire, but also how to put it out. When he is finished, he makes sure every ember is out and cleans up the fire site.
Have and safe and suitable place for your fire. It could be built in a park, a campsite or a driveway. Clear away anything that can burn - leaves, grass, paper,etc.
Have a bucket of water ready to put out the fire.
Collect your equipment before you start.
For a fire to burn three things are required:
When one of the three things is removed, the fire stops burning. Water cools fuel below ignition point, dirt cuts off the oxygen supply.
A fire needs three different kinds of fire material - tinder, kindling and fuel. The match lights the tender, the tender lights the kindling, and the kindling starts the fuel burning.
Stack the wood in three separate piles far enough away from the fire, so that no sparks can fly into stacks.
Using larger pieces of wood, form an "A" on the ground. Get your tinder and kindling. You will need two handfuls of kindling. Put the tinder on the "A" instead of the ground. This way the tinder has air underneath it and there is space for your match.
Light the match. Kneel near the fire and strike the match away from you. Tip the match down so that the flame catches on the match stick. On a windy day, kneel with your back to the wind and cup your hands around the match.
Now light the tinder. Carefully add more tinder. You may need to blow at the base of the fire.
Add kindling. When the tinder has started to burn, add kindling. Start with small pieces. Remember to keep close together but allow space for air.
After you are finished with your fire make sure it is out by:
When you can hold your hand on the spot where the fire was and not feel any warmth, your fire is out.
To start charcoal fires make and use fire starters or a starter can. Charcoal starts slowly. Allow at least 30 minutes before fire is ready to use. To start charcoal use one of the following methods:
Charcoal will be grey-white in the daylight and red at night when ready.
Cut both ends from a one gallon can, or large juice can. Make vent holes with a pop can opener around one end of the large can. To use, place can inside grill or on a pan or tray, crumple three full size sheets of newspaper into balls. Place newspaper in bottom of starter can or fill it half way with twigs. Cover with charcoal. Light the newspaper rough the vent holes. When charcoal is glowing, remove can with a pair of pliers. One charcoal briquette equals 40 degrees of temperature.
You need:
1. Remove top of can with roll-type can opener. Punch airholes with punch opener around top and bottom of can.
2. Stick ends of wire through two of the holes at top and twist to make a handle.
3. Push wire screen half way down into can to make a grate. This holds charcoal near top for cooking and keeps air under charcoal. To keep screen from lipping, cul second piece of screen into a coil, and put between grate screen and bottom of stove.
Set the stove on cleared ground and put tinder on the grate. When tinder is burning briskly, drop charcoal into fire. Swing the stove by the handle now and then to keep the charcoal burning.
You need:
1. Remove lid from tin can using roll-type can opener. This open end will be the bottom of your stove.
2. Cut door in stove. Wearing gloves, take the tin snips and cut from the open end two slits three inches apart and three inches long. Bend this piece of tin back into can and hammer it flat.
3. Punch with the punch opener two or three small holes at the top of the can on the side opposite the door. These are your air holes and serve as a chimney.
Find a level spot for the stove so food will not run over the side. If stove is not level, put a twig under the low edge.
Press the stove in the dirt so that it makes a ring. Then put it aside. Make a small fire of twigs in the ring. Keep fire small but steady. You can also use a Buddy Burner. (See directions for making.)
Put the stove over the twig fire or Buddy Burner. The stove will get very hot so do not touch it.
The first time you use your stove you will have to wipe the finish off the tin can after the stove has heated up. Hold stove with a pot holder and wipe off with a paper towel.
A Buddy burner is fuel and can be used with a vagabond stove. It is also good emergency fuel to have on hand if your stove at home should not work. You can use it in a driveway or an inside fireplace or when you cannot have an open fire. The smoke is very black so do not use it in a room.
You need: A shallow tin can (tuna or cat/dog food)
1. Roll cardboard into a coil that fits loosely into the can.
2. Melt the paraffin. Paraffin should always be melted in a tin can set in a pot of water on the stove. Use low heat. Melt small amounts at a time. The vapor given off by the melting paraffin might start to burn, so have a lid from a larger tin can on hand to smother any fire.
3. Fill shallow can almost to the top with melted paraffin.
4. Let the paraffin harden. Now you have made a Buddy burner.
You can make a Buddy burner using sawdust instead of cardboard. Fill the tin can with sawdust and pour in paraffin. You may have to use "wicks" in this to start the burning easier.
Light the top of the Buddy burner with a match. Now you can cook on your vagabond stove. Never cook directly on the Buddy burner because the smoke is black and sooty.
Place the vagabond stove over the Buddy burner.
Put the fire out by lifting the stove off and smothering the flame with a No. 10 tin can lid or any flat surface larger than the Buddy burner. Use a pot holder to lift the stove, or knock the stove over with a stick. The paraffin will be hot and liquid, so wait until it hardens and cools before you pick it up.
Use two layers of light-weight, or one layer of heavy duty aluminum foil. Foil should be large enough to go around food and allow for crimping the edges in a tight seal. This will keep the juices and steam in. This wrap is know as the "drugstore" wrap.
Use heavy foil three times the width of the food. Fold over and roll up the leading edges. Then roll sides for a steamproof seal.
A shallow bed of glowing coals that will last the length of cooking time is necessary.
Cooking Times:
Hamburger: 8-12 minutes, Carrots: 15-20 minutes
Chicken pieces: 20-30 minutes, Whole Apples: 20-30 minutes
Hotdogs: 5-10 minutes, Sliced potatoes 10-15 minutes
Lay slices of potatoes, onion, and carrots on a sheet of heavy-duty foil then place hamburger patty on top. Cover with slices of potato, onion, and carrots. Season with butter, salt and pepper. Cook 20-30 minutes over hot coals, turning twice during cooking.
A cardboard box will make an oven. Cut off the flaps so that the box has four straight sides and bottom. The bottom of the box will be the top of the oven.
Cover the box inside and out COMPLETELY with foil, placing shiny side out.
To use the oven, place the pan with food to be baked on a footed grill over the lit charcoal briquets. The grill should be raised about ten inches above the charcoal. Set the cardboard oven over the food and charcoal. Prop up one end of the oven with a pebble to provide the air charcoal needs to burn - or cut air vents along the lower edge of the oven. Control the baking temperature of the oven by the number of charcoal briquets used. Each briquette supplies 40 degrees of heat (a 360 degree temperature will take 9 briquets).
Experiment! Build an oven to fit your pans - or your menu: Bake bread, brownies, roast chicken, pizza or a coffee cake. Construct a removable oven top or oven door. Punch holes on opposite sides of the oven and run coat hanger wire through to make a grill to hold baking pans. Try the oven over the coals of a campfire.
Place potatoes, scrambled egg (doesn't need to be cooked) sausage patty and spices in foil. Wrap securely. Place on coals for 15 minutes.
Grease the cooking surface of the stove. Cut two inch hole in a slice of bread. Place bread on burner and break egg into the hole. Season and turn over once while cooking.
Heat a white flour tortilla in skillet or top of vagabond stove. Spread cream cheese on tortilla; sprinkle on brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up tortilla and pig out. Great breakfast, sweet roll or night time snack.
Beat eggs, milk and sugar together with a fork. Grease the top of a hot vagabond stove with margarine. Dip both sides of a piece of bread in egg mixture, and lay it on the stove. Be careful that the fire is not too hot. When bottom browns, turn the toast over with a fork or turner. You may need more margarine. When the second side is brown, remove the toast to a plate.
Make a jelly sandwich. Beat two eggs per person (4 pieces of toast). Add a little sugar, cinnamon and milk or water. Dip sandwich in egg mixture, fry the sandwich like french toast. Dip fried sandwich in (or sprinkle on) powdered sugar instead of syrup. Tastes like a giant jelly donut.
Take a biscuit, punch hole through it with finger. Shape into donut shape. Drop into hot oil. Flip over when brown. Remove from oil, dip into sugar, cocoa or jello. Eat slowly, they are really hot.
Combine sausage (cooked), bisquick and cheese; shape into balls. Bake in preheated 300 degree oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Heat water to boiling. Add macaroni and cook until soft. Follow directions on box. Crumble can of chunky ham into mixture, mix thoroughly. This is very easy. Feeds 2 scouts per box of macaroni and cheese, 1 can of ham can be mixed with each 2 boxes of macaroni.
Bring pot of water to a rolling boil and cook noodles until done. Brown meat and drain off grease. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until meat is tender. If necessary, thin sauce with a little milk. Serve over cooked noodles.
Brown meat and garlic. Add enchilada sauce and tomato sauce. Simmer for 30 minutes. Tear tortillas and layer pan with tortillas, meat, cheese. Repeat with cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
In a square piece of heavy duty aluminum foil place enough of each of the following to make one serving:
Surround the ham slices with the other ingredients on the foil then add 1 tablespoon of syrup or honey. Fold using "drugstore" wrap to hold in the juice. Cook package on hot coals for approximately 15 minutes on each side.
Brown meat, drain. Add onion, green pepper and garlic; cook until tender. Stir in tomato paste, water and seasonings. Cover; simmer 15 minutes. Combine noodles and parsley; toss lightly. Combine salad dressing, 1/2 cup cheese and eggs; mix well. Layer noodles and meat mixture in Dutch Oven; top with remaining cheese. Bake for approximately 40 minutes. 6 servings.
Mix all ingredients together, except cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Add cheese on top and bake for 8-10 minutes more.
Bone the chicken breasts and roll one slice bacon around each. Place dried beef slices in bottom of Dutch oven and lay bacon-wrapped chicken breasts on top. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour mushroom soup and sour cream over breasts. Bake for approximately 50-65 minutes until chicken is tender.
Brown sausage and drain. Add green pepper, onion and celery and simmer in open Dutch Oven for 15 minutes. Add cooked rice and dry soup mix. Add pimentos, cream of chicken soup and almonds and bake. (You can also use Wild Rice)
Brown meat with cooking oil in Dutch Oven. Mix catsup and cola with salt and pepper and pour into oven over meat. Bake until done. (Should be gooey)
Mix all ingredients together and form loaf in Dutch oven. Bake approximately 50 to 60 minutes.
Brown roast. Pour 1/2 can mushroom soup around meat. Pour onion soup mix over meat, then the remaining mushroom soup over all. Let bake to desired doneness. Approximately 30 to 45 minutes to pound.
Brown together beef, salt and onion. Add tomato soup, enchilada sauce and water to beef mixture and simmer together. Place 3 or 4 corn tortillas on bottom of Dutch Oven. Remove 3/4's of the meat mixture from pan, and place over top of tortillas. Add another layer of tortillas. Add a 1/4 lb of cheese on top. Add another layer of meat mixture. Place another layer of meat mixture. Place another layer of tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Place like over Dutch Oven and let simmer until it appears to be done. Approximately 30-40 minutes.
Combine tomato, onion, cilantro, chilies, salt and water in a bowl. Cover; let stand about 30 minutes before serving. This sauce is best eaten the same day, as it soon loses it crispness and flavor.
Brown ground beef in Dutch Oven, drain excess fat off. Add garlic, onion and green pepper and saute' 5 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes, olives, chili powder, salt and pepper and simmer 10 minutes. In a bowl stir together muffin mix, corn and milk until evenly moistened. Spoon over ground beef mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes, or until browned.
Grease the inside of the Dutch Oven. Cook and stir sausage and onion in skillet until sausage is brown; drain. Mix baking mix and water until thoroughly moistened; spread batter in oven. Spread spaghetti sauce carefully over batter; top with sausage mixture and the remaining ingredients. Bake until crust is golden brown. Approximately 25-30 minutes.
Cook onion and garlic in shortening in Dutch Oven. Add beef and cook, stirring occasionally, to keep meat particles separated. Drain excess grease off. Mix in the soup, water and chili powder and cook a few minutes longer. Break spaghetti into inch pieces and stir into sauce until all covered. Bake for about 1 hour, but stir approximately every 15 minutes. Then add cheese to top. Bake another 15 minutes.
Combine last 5 ingredients, pour over meat and marinate overnight. Place meat and marinade in a covered pan and bake at 300 degrees for 3 hours for 3 & 4 lbs and 4 hours for 5 lbs. Baste occasionally during baking. Take out and slice. Then replace it in the pan and pour some of the marinade over brisket.
Increase the temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for another hour.
Spray Pam on the inside of Dutch Oven. Mix baking mix, raisins, sour cream and milk; beat 20 strokes. Smooth into ball on floured aluminum foil or wax paper. Knead 10 times. Roll into rectangle, approximately 12 x 10 inches. Spread with softened margarine (can use squeeze margarine also). Mix brown sugar, nuts and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Roll up tightly, beginning at 12" side. Pinch edge into roll. Cut into 12 slices. Place slices, cut sides down, in the bottom of Dutch Oven. Brush melted margarine over the tops, sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake until golden, about 13 minutes. Top with margarine if desired.
Spray Dutch Oven with Pam, or line with aluminum foil. Mix cheese, parsley, basil, garlic powder and paprika; reserve. Mix baking mix, sour cream and milk until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 30 seconds. Gently smooth dough in ball on floured aluminum foil or wax paper. Knead 10 times. Shape into 1 inch balls. Dip each ball into melted margarine, then roll in cheese mixture to coat. Arrange balls about 1/4 inch apart in layers in oven. Sprinkle any remaining cheese mixture over top. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Saute' onion in margarine until soft. Beat egg in a small bowl; stir in sour cream until blended; add onions and seasoned salt. Stir milk into baking mix to form a soft dough; turn into a lightly sprayed (with Pam) or aluminum lined Dutch Oven. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until top is set.
Combine dry ingredients. Work in shortening with a knife or fingers until evenly distributed. Add milk gradually, mixing lightly and quickly until there is no dry flour in dish. Pinch off desired amount for each biscuit and bake.
Mix flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a large bowl. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles cornmeal. Stir in milk until mixture forms a firm dough. Knead dough on lightly floured aluminum foil or waxed paper just until smooth. Cover; let rest 20 minutes. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness; cut into squares or diamonds. Heat oil in a Dutch Oven until hot. Fry sopapillas, a few at a time, turning often so they fry evenly until golden brown. Remove from oil with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Serve hot with butter & honey or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
Grease pie plate. Sprinkle pecans in plate. Beat remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour into pie plate. Put into Dutch Oven and bake until knife, when inserted into center, comes out clean. Approximately 50-60 minutes.
Mix cake mixes according to directions.
Line the Dutch Oven with aluminum foil, place oven onto the heat, level it and melt the margarine in the oven. When melted, add the brown sugar, then the pineapple slices, then the pecans. This will be the glaze.
Pour cake on top of glaze. This dessert doesn't require much heat on the bottom, just enough to brown the glaze - about 8 briquets should be plenty. Bake for approximately 25 minutes. Check it every 15 minutes and when golden brown, test it to see if it is done. If it is, take off the heat and lift the cake out of the oven by the aluminum foil. Put a pan or board on it and then turn it over quickly so that the glaze is on top. Remove the foil.
WHEN BAKING IN A DUTCH OVEN WITH A CAKE PAN OR PIE PAN, PUT 1 INCH DIAMETER FOIL BALLS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OVEN TO LIFT THE PAN OFF THE BOTTOM TO KEEP THE FOOD FROM BURNING AND DISTRIBUTE THE HEAT MORE EVENLY.
Grease pie plate. Beat all ingredients until smooth. Pour into pie plate. Put into Dutch Oven and bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Approximately 50-60 minutes.
Put into small cleaned coffee can, put lid on. Put down inside a 3 lb coffee can. Put ice and rock salt around it. Put lid on large can. Roll can, stop and drain water out, and put more ice and rock salt in. Continue until firm.
The NetWoods Virtual Campsite, Steve Tobin, Campmaster