Camp Cooking Checklist

Camp Cooking

There's something special about camping food. Cooking turns into an adventure, and being in the outdoors seems to make everything taste better. The excitement and novelty of semi-primitive cooking conditions makes it fun to eat whatever you manage to flip out of the campfire frying pan. Of course, camping food has its own special set of circumstances and limitations, and it can get the better of even the most skilled and creative cooks when trying to dream up good, varied and fun meals day after day in the great outdoors when you're without the modern conveniences of a home kitchen.

Losing Your Cool
It's better not to depend upon foods that require refrigeration, unless your campsite is very close to a store that sells ice and you will be able to replenish the ice in your cooler at least once a day. This means relying on canned, packaged and dried foods, and supplementing with fresh foods that can manage without refrigeration. It may seem at first like your meal choices will be limited and bland if you have to get by without a refrigerator or an oven, but you'll be surprised when you begin to realize how many diverse and tasty meals you can concoct using non-perishable foods, a propane stove and a campfire. Many of your favorite recipes can be adapted for outdoor cooking, too. Use canned meat or vacuum-packed tofu in your entrees; get out that old Dutch oven substitute powdered eggs and water in your favorite baking recipes; soy or rice milk need no refrigeration and make great substitutes for cow's milk. In other words, don't be afraid to get creative -- everything really does taste better when you're camping!

The Camping Pantry
Here are some lists of ingredients that are great for camping: they're easy to cook with nothing but a propane stove and a campfire, and none of them need refrigeration. Choose the ones that appeal to you and mix and match them for fantastic breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.

Grains Proteins

Baking Mix (Bisquick), Canned or vacuum-packed tuna

Oats, Canned chicken

Instant hot cereal, Canned ham

Cold cerea,l Dehydrated refried beans

Tortillas, Canned beans

Pita bread, Shelf-stable tofu

Whole grain crackers, Summer Sausage

Ramen noodles, Beef jerky

Angle hair pasta, Peanut butter

Packaged pasta with flavor packets, Soy or rice milk

Quick-cooking couscous, Nuts

Quick cooking grits, Powdered eggs

Cornbread mix, Hard cheeses (e.g., Parmesan)

Soup in a cup

Dried and Canned Fruits and Vegetables Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

An assortment of dried fruit ,Carrots, Squash, Peaches

Canned tomatoes, Bell peppers, Mushrooms, Grapes

Sun dried tomatoes, Green beans, Corn on the cob, Lemons

Canned olives, Potatoes, Onions, Limes

Canned green chilies, Eggplant ,Tomatoes, Oranges

Dried mushrooms, Cucumbers ,Apples ,Plums

Canned, pineapple ,Bananas

Staples

Salt, Ground black pepper

Garlic powde,r Onion powder

Crushed red pepper, Chili powder

Assorted dried herbs ,Ground Cinnamon

Cinnamon sticks ,Sugar

Vegetable oil ,Olive oil

Soy sauce, White vinegar

Tabasco, Mustard

Ketchup, Beef and chicken bouillon cubes

Dehydrated soup base or canned soup

Equipment

Camp stove or backpacking stove ,Extra stove fuel

Matches

Oven mitt

Large metal spoon , Large plastic spoon

Metal spatula ,Plastic spatula

Tongs, Large plastic or stainless steel bowl for mixing and serving

Rubber spatula ,Dutch oven

Skillet ,Saucepan

Large enamel or Lexan mugs, uses as cup or bowl, Plates

Plenty of aluminum foil, Resealable plastic bags

Garbage bags ,Paper towels

Plastic tablecloth ,Biodegradable dish soap

Dish sponge ,Dishtowels

Lightweight flexible cutting board, Knife

Can opener, Toothpicks

A Few More Tips Before You Hit the Road

Plan all your meals before you leave, making a list of every ingredient you'll need. This way you won't forget anything, and you'll be sure to bring the right amount of food.

Don't bring the more food than you need. Instead of bringing the whole bag of sugar, flour, rice, etcetera, just pour as much as you'll need into a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag.

Camping trips usually involve lots of physical activity, so everyone will be extra-hungry: bring plenty of snacks!

Put your food in the car or in a lidded box at night or whenever you leave the campsite in order to keep the forest animals out of your food supply.

Bring plenty of garbage bags so you can pack out every last piece of trash you brought in with you

Bring some firewood: you can't always count on being able to find enough around your campsite, especially if it's a heavily visited one.