Our last camping trip was with friends, some of whom had not gone camping in a while, some who had never been camping. What they had in mind for camp food was items like underdone pancakes, runny eggs and burnt hot dogs. What they got was a bit different.
Planning Meals For Camping
The key to eating well while camping is planning. First, decide the kind of camping you’ll be doing. Family camping where you can load up the car or truck will provide you with many more options than if you are backpacking it in with a friend. Those who backpack in tend to have a different mindset about food in camp, so we’ll be focusing more on family camping. But that doesn’t mean you can’t eat well even if you do choose to throw it on your back.
For example, head down to your local camp gear store or find them online) and check out the variety. We did a quick search and found Grilled Chicken Breasts and Mashed Potatoes, Beef Stroganoff and Raspberry Crumble among the many foods designed for the backpacker. These items come in special foil pouches and require no more than some hot water. Pour the water into the pouch, wait a few minutes and you have a tasty treat. They require no pots or pans, just a vessel to heat the water. You can even find flameless cooking kits that let you warm the water without striking a match. These foods are based on the same freeze-dried concepts that have been used in the space program for years, but have come a long way in taste. And the small size of the packages allow you to pack a week’s worth of meals into a small space.
Back in the world of family camping, you can afford to plan more space-consuming meals. Before you pack your gear, sit down and take stock of who will be with you. Try to keep in mind what different campers likes and dislikes are, and start to plan your meals. As a rule, plan for two sit down meals a day (breakfast and dinner) and one on the go.
Keep your breakfast plans fairly simple. The last thing you want to do is spend an hour of your glorious mornings doing the camp dishes. But that doesn’t mean you have to skimp.
Breakfast
First ingredient to stick on your list: Bacon. There is nothing that smells - or tastes - better than sizzling bacon in the woods. Bacon is easy to store, easy to cook, and a surefire hit. Bacon does need to be kept cool, so make room for it in your food cooler. Also, save yourself hassle before you leave - repackage the bacon into a zippered plastic bag, making it easy to remove and cook. It’s also easier to reseal.
Next, some pancake mix, the kind that requires water only. And here’s another tip - repackage the mix as well into premeasured amounts. Look at the package and decide which batch size (number of pancakes) you’ll most likely cook. Then put that amount into a plastic bag. Take a 1-2 quart plastic container with you. When you’re ready to cook your pancakes, just drop the bag and the water into the container, close it up and start shaking. Quick and easy batter is made, and all you need is a griddle!
Eggs - There’s no need to resort to the powdered stuff! All you need for success is a way to keep your eggs fresh. There are two ways to achieve this - a cooler, or more frequent trips to the camp store. Either way, eggs scrambled, whole or in an omelette provide a variety of yummy ways to enjoy breakfast.
Wait - did I say omelette? Yup! Why stick to basic stuff? By taking along some additional ingredients, you can create some delicious breakfasts in no time. For example, avocados travel extremely well, as do many cheeses. Try bringing along some Swiss, then toss a slice of it in as well as some bacon and a couple of slices of avocado, and you’ve got a tasty omelette. Or some American cheese for a classic omelette. Cookware? All you need is a non-stick pan and a silicone spatula.
Another favorite? French toast. Use the same bread you’d use for sandwiches, beat up some eggs, dip and toss on the griddle. Simple, tasty, and filling. For a special treat, toss on some jam (you can use it for sandwiches later), and they’ll be clamoring for more.
All of these are easily fixed on a camp stove in minutes and will get you on your way with a minimum of fuss. Looking for even less hassle? Package cold cereal into plastic bags, and you can easily have a quick breakfast. If you’re really feeling adventurous, put the cereal into smaller bags, and just add milk for a quick on-the-go breakfast.
Keep Warm
If the mornings will be cold, be sure to bring along hot chocolate mix. And don’t forget to bring along coffee for those who prefer it. Instant coffee works, but a little investment of $15-$20 will let you brew your favorite Starbucks grind a cup at a time. One-cup filters allow you to place a cup’s worth of coffee into the filter, drop it into a mug, and add hot water. Wait a few minutes and you’ll have a fresh steeped cup of Joe.
There’s no reason to skimp on breakfast just because you’re out in the woods. And with a little planning, you can do it with a minimum of ingredients and gear!
What’s your favorite camp breakfast?