Camp Cooking - Tips and Guides

Camp cooking is a great exercise in skill and effort and there is always something that sets it apart from other types of cooking.  It's a whole new ballgame when you're out in the woods; camping and cooking just seems to bring it all together. 

It may seem a little unfair, but food always seems to look and taste a little bit better when it's done outdoors.  Here's how to get your camp cooking skills right:

Check your campsite for camp cooking rules
Don’t go into a national park or wooded area without first checking if it's all right to cook at your camp.  Some restrictions may be in place for certain areas, especially when it involves building a campfire.  If there's a burn ban, follow the rules and go someplace else.

Be ready with your supplies
Nothing puts a damper on healthy camp cooking than equipment or an ingredient you forgot to bring.  A day or two before you go, make a list of all the things you’ll need like matches, knives, a good cutting board, skillet, skewers, salt, pepper, that special marinade you're so proud of, paper towels and trash bags, among others.  If you will be camping near a river or lake, bring your fishing pole.  You should also bring supplies for cleaning your utensils and equipment.  The day before you leave, check your supplies for anything you might have missed.

Cut and prepare everything in advance
Remember that you don’t want to spend all your time at camp cooking.  You're also there to have fun.  Save time by preparing all your ingredients in advance.  Cut or chop tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, pepper and herbs and store them in separate containers.  That way, you don’t have to spend too much time cutting up vegetables before you can start cooking.

Don’t forget your cooler
Camp cooking can be a lot of work, so make sure you have your drinks ready.  Bring your trusty cooler and fill it with ice for chilling your drinks.  You might also need a separate cooler to hold your meat or fish.

Have some trusty recipes on hand
Now isn’t the time to try some exotic meal you just saw in a magazine.  Camp cooking is all about simplicity and ease.  Use your past experience as a basis to decide which recipes to use. 

If you're unfamiliar with the process, don’t try it now.  You'll be frustrated later.  Go for recipes that have a long-running success as camp cooking staples, such as steaks, barbecued chicken, fish and vegetable kabobs, roasted marshmallows, grilled fresh fish, roasted or pickled vegetables and fresh fruits.