With MemoriaI Day coming up on May 27, I am delighted to share some ideas for recipes you can cook over the campfire during this holiday weekend in the US.
Cooking over the campfire.
Recipes for Cooking Over the Campfire by J.Q. Rose
Several years ago, we camped with our daughter, Lee Ann, and family over the Memorial Day holiday weekend near Stony Lake in West Michigan. Always the "event" planner, she invited her sister, Sara, (who is not a camper) and family to join us on Sunday for a fun dinner with Dump Soup as the main entree.
I bet you've heard the folk tale, Stone Soup. Hungry strangers convince the townspeople to share a small amount of their food to make a meal that everyone enjoys. We were hungry, and we were strangers to the campers, but we didn’t ask them to contribute to the soup pot.
DUMP SOUP RECIPE: Lee Ann coined the term "Dump Soup" because we all brought ingredients to dump into the cast iron pot. There is NO recipe. That's the fun part. Lee Ann poured in beef broth and beef consomme. I added mushroom soup as a base for the soup. Then we threw in what everyone brought--beans, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onions, cans of veggies, etc.
Ingredients in the cast iron pot and ready to cook the Dump Soup.
After stirring the ingredients together, Lee Ann placed the pot over the campfire. The men settled in their chairs with various beverages with the main responsibility to keep the fire burning and to watch the soup as it simmered over the coals. The ladies took off to check out the sights and sounds of families having fun during this busy weekend.
My daughters and I looked forward to some girl time and the freedom to take in the fragrance and beauty of the tall pine trees stretching toward the blue sky. My grandchildren joined us for a few minutes then took off on their bikes. As we strolled the gravel road thatwound around the campground, we dodged a few bikers racing down the gravel road and negotiated around the dog walkers with dogs of all sizes on their leashes. Kids and parents were returning to their campsites after playing on the beach or in the pool all afternoon as evidenced by the colorful towels hanging on make-shift clotheslines.
After simmering for an hour and a half over the fire, we gobbled down the tasty soup. The kids loved it too, especially with lots of crackers. I think eating outdoors helps to make everything tastier! Do you think so?
HOBO DINNER--Another of our family dinner favorites over the fire is "hobo dinner," also known as a foil packet dinner. Spray the foil with vegetable oil, place bacon on the first layer, hamburger or chicken next, and then add whatever fresh veggies you like to the foil e.g. diced potatoes, carrots, green pepper, onion, butter, and celery. Sprinkle on your favorite seasonings.
Ingredients ready to wrap.
Be sure to wrap the packet tightly so the grease doesn't run out. Place the foil dinners in the coals or on a grate over the fire. Depending on how you thick you cut the veggies and how hot the fire is, cook the packets for 30--45 minutes. Chicken may take longer.
PS--This dinner can be cooked on your grill at home too.
Hobo Dinner wrapped in foil packets
Clean-up is easy. Just wrap up the foil and throw it away. Then it'll be time to roast the marshmallows to make S'mores! Keep reading because my post was all about S’mores. If you are not familiar with this treat and/or you are interested in discovering new ways to enjoy a S’more, please keep reading.
Take time during this special day of rememberance to honor service members who gave their lives in defense of our country.