The campfire is the heart of any outdoor camping experience. Sitting by it, gazing up at the stars and staring into its glowing embers makes you feel a part of the universe. But, did you know that it’s also a great place to cook?
Camping cooking can be a lot of fun and the best meals you make on vacation will probably be those cooked over the fire. Bringing the right cooking equipment with you will save time and effort, while also keeping your pots, pans and utensils safe from damage caused by direct flames.
Rather than bringing pots and cookware from your kitchen at home, look for items made especially for cooking over a campfire. Stainless steel is one option that will withstand the heat and can be used for many different types of campfire recipes. Cast iron is another good choice for campfire cooking, as it can be placed directly on the coals without burning or melting.
Skewer recipes are a campfire cooking classic and there are plenty of options to choose from that will take advantage of your trusty stick. Whether you want to grill meats like a steak or chicken, vegetables such as potatoes or peppers or something sweet such as marshmallows, skewers will do the trick. You will need a good set of steel skewers to get the most out of this type of camping food.
You can also use your campfire for a variety of other delicious foods that will keep you and your family fueled throughout the trip. Foil packs of fish, roasted veggies or even beefy burgers can be easily prepared on the campfire and are sure to impress your fellow campers.
One of the most important aspects of campfire cooking is understanding how to build a proper fire. Putting food directly over the flames will burn it and ruin its flavor, while cooking the insides too quickly. Start by laying down a small bed of tinder, such as crumpled paper or dry grass. Then, stack thin twigs in a conical shape over the tinder and gradually add larger branches and pieces of wood as they catch fire. Keep adding until the pile is covered in white coals and you have a good campfire for cooking.
You will also need to be able to cook over the campfire without a grate. A grill basket is a great option for cooking over the campfire and can be filled with any number of ingredients, from shrimp to fish or chicken. Using a metal basket will also help you avoid burning your food or losing it to the fire’s intense heat.
You can also enjoy simple, satisfying meals over the campfire such as melted cheese sandwiches. This is a great snack or meal option that can be served at lunchtime, dinner time or breakfast time. If you do not have a grill basket, you can still make melted cheese sandwiches over the campfire by simply placing them on a piece of foil that has been wrapped loosely around your sandwich.