Gourmet in the Wild

I am so excited to share this post with you guys! I was lucky enough to get chosen to do another 24×24 post by Foodbuzz this month. It’s when 24 featured bloggers all create and share a meal in 24 hours.

Since my family is a family full of campers, I thought I would share with you how to eat like kings when you’re camping!

So many people associate camping with hot dogs, canned beans, and cold cereal. Well, that’s not the case. If you plan ahead, you can have some really good meals with little effort.

One staple you should look into getting is a Dutch Oven. (I got mine from Outdoor Outlet, and they shipped them right to my door in less than 2 days!) I went with the hard anodized cast aluminum Dutch Ovens. Which in layman’s terms means they are light weight, super strong and durable, and much easier to take care of than a cast iron dutch oven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make sure to plan ahead for your camp trip.

Sit down and plan out your menu.

Then go through the cooking process and think of every tool or spice you’ll need.

{The last thing you’ll want to happen is to get out there and forget your can opener…}

But remember to relax and have fun, cause that’s what camping is all about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the views aren’t too bad either!

Ok, Dutch Oven ribs are a meal your family will love, and they are so easy you’ll be making them in your backyard all summer long.

{not into camping? these can easily be made in a crock-pot too!}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have a camp stove that we bring to make our lives a little easier, but if you don’t have one, don’t worry, you don’t need one.

Start off by heating up your oven over medium-high heat. (or lay out some white hot coals on the ground and place the oven on top.) {cooking at home? heat up a skillet}

Add a little bit of olive oil, and brown the ribs on all sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is my trick, while the ribs are still in the package, I sprinkle with salt and pepper and place the seasoned side down in the oil, then I sprinkle the back side with salt and pepper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once they are browned add a full bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover up the Dutch Oven, and get your coals ready.

{or alternatively place in a crock pot on low for 6-8 hours}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it comes to the coals make sure they are burning white hot. For a 12″ Dutch oven you’ll want to spread out about 8-10 coals on the bottom and 8-10 coals on the top.

{side note- we started off with too many, and took some away. just pay attention and check on them to make sure they are getting a strong simmer}

After about 3 hours the ribs were tender, and falling apart. I served them on top of a bed of white rice which is great for soaking up all the caramelized BBQ sauce.

Perfect!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That was simple enough right?

Good!

Cause I have more for you!

But here are a few pictures of us having some fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to make a side to go with your ribs?

How about some Cheesy Tin-foil Potato Packets?

These are super simple as well. One thing I want to stress is that you NEED to get the Heavy Duty tin-foil. It’s a must to avoid burnt potatoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spray down a sheet of tin-foil with cooking spray, and throw down a small stack of sliced potatoes.

**{Here’s another tip– cut up your veggies before you leave and place them in ziplock bags to make assembling the packets easy.}**

Spoon 2 tablespoons of Cream of Chicken soup on top of the potatoes, add salt and pepper to taste, and then sprinkle on some cheese. Throw in some sliced green onion, and if you like it spicy like me, add some sliced jalapeno.

Then grab the opposite ends of the tin-foil and bring them up to meet each other on top. Fold over 2-3 times creating a little pocket. Fold up the ends and pinch closed.

Spread out a few coals on the ground and inter-mingle with some rocks. Place the packets on top and let them cook, rotating every 10-15 minutes to ensure even cooking. Open to test for done-ness, but it should take about 1 hour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These were so delicious, my kids ate these right up {the ones without the jalapenos of course}.

Are you starting to plan your next camping trip yet?

Well I have just one more quick recipe to show you, and once you see it, you’ll be grabbing your tent and sleeping bag and heading out the door.

But first… more pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, aren’t we so silly!

I wont show you the pictures of my kids with their pet rocks, I’ll save those for their wedding slide show… hehe…

What better way to end an awesome meal then with some delicious Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler?

I know what you’re thinking… “that just sounds like a lot of work.”

Wrong!

Easiest dessert E-V-E-R!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First of all, use the heavy duty tin-foil again to line the Dutch Oven. Spray it down with some cooking spray or butter it up.

Drain a 2 large cans of peaches (for a 14″ Dutch Oven). Spread them out evenly on the bottom.

{I accidentally only brought one can of peaches, but luckily had some apples that I diced up and used. See- no stress! Camping is fun!}

Sprinkle a box of cake mix evenly over the peaches/apples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cut up a stick of butter and place the pieces all over in no particular fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a can (or bottle) of Sprite and pour about 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) all over the top.

Cover.

Heat up some more coals and place about 6-8 on bottom and 6-8 on top of the Dutch Oven.

Take a sneak peak…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And in about 1 hour…

Pure. Camping. Bliss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yes, this is the best cobbler you’ll ever taste in the great outdoors.

We had such a great time, and I know you can do these and have a good time camping too!

Here are all the recipes, and feel free to use the little green “print friendly” button to make your life a little easier!

 

You know we had to finish out the night with some roasted marshmallows.

Now that you know it’s easy to eat Gourmet in the Wild, what are you waiting for!?

Get out and get into nature!