Meal Kits and Camping

[Tturbo]

So is it cheating when I buy a couple of those Hello Fresh meal kits and take them camping?

I'm don't always have time to plan tasty and simple camping meals aside from the basic bbq meat meals. So when I have a long weekend I get a couple one pot meal kits like bean-less chili or cheeseburger stew and add some taco chips or bread on the side with salad or cut up veg.

But of course there's no denying camp cooking for us should include a fresh Alberta beef rib-eye or strip steak cooked to medium rare over a wood burning grill or if you want to get fancy sous vide the steak then finish it on the grill. Add a nice rub or dash of Montreal steak spice or some herbs but no bbq sauce that's just fancy ketchup IMHO and who wants ketchup on a steak. Just save it for ribs or chicken parts or your tofu <--don't knock it it's actually quite tasty.

I've also brought bagged salads, muffin mix, pre-made egg muffins, cut up veggies, made campfire roasted potatoes or corn.

Anyone else have some go-to easy meal ideas?

 

[WhittleBurner]

Those ready to go meals are awesome...wish they came with someone to cook them ! Quite often I will pre cook and freeze foods to take to camp so I'm not stuck cooking at the fire every day. But in the end nothing beats a simple steak and potato over the fire

 

[lineman1234]

I guess its not really camping as i am retired and fulltime rv.

The freezer is the most preciouses space to me. I dont want or need an additional one, but can crank the outside fridge wide open and it will keep once frozen stuff frozen.

I pressure can things, canning, like chili, sloppy joes, soups, vegies. Its just me, so i do single servings, but if i give to a couple, its just give 2. And if i dont get the jars back, they go on the no give list.

Ill make 3.5 lbs of a meatloaf/meatball mix as i use 3 meats and its 1lb each. Then i vacuum seal in single servings for a mini loaf or balls. I just did this last week, and i have 2 srvs left and i havent had any. I give to others to try a different rsp and or single people like myself that dont like to cook.

I keep a jar of yeast around, and a spare in the cupboard. I make a pizza about every week at least. So everything for that is always on hand. Trying to make a small batch of rolls or a single french bread is still in the works.

Making mini lasagnas is a labor of love, but they freeze well and again make a great gift, in the disposable tins. White or red sauce can be used. Its great i can make 4 normal ones for myself, and 4 gluten free for my mother, all ingredients the same but the pasta.

I buy flour and sugar in the big bulk sacks that you may see on the bottom shelf, then divide up and vacuum seal. Making things like muffins but in cup cake tins makes good treats. The best i can do/have found, to make them more healthy and more glutinfreeish, for mom, is i can take any rsp and make 2/3rds flour, and 1/3 other flours, like bean, brown rice, or oat, maybe almond, or bits of all. Adds nutrients and fiber, but still retains taste. Carmel apple pie muffins, what a pain to make, but really good. Peanut butter, chocolate, banana muffins, with walnuts are great. Its easy to make a ready dump and bake mix as a gift for people. Just add egg and oil/butter or water, mix bake. So any but the apple pie, can be prepped at home for camping and made easy wile camping.

I may sound like im someone's grandmother, but im a health single normal 60 year old guy. I grew up on a farm and did high voltage linework for my career, i just like to cook. When im in the mood.

 

[Tturbo]

I guess its not really camping as i am retired and fulltime rv.

I don't think I'll go fulltime RV living even a rented space here in Canada and one in the US somewhere. I love my yard and gardening waaaaay too much to give it all up.

Ill make 3.5 lbs of a meatloaf/meatball mix as i use 3 meats and its 1lb each. Then i vacuum seal in single servings for a mini loaf or balls. I just did this last week, and i have 2 srvs left and i havent had any. I give to others to try a different rsp and or single people like myself that dont like to cook.

I do this all the time vacuum seal 1lbs of mixed ground I like to get it on sale when I can in bulk. So easy to keep frozen when all flat too.

I keep a jar of yeast around, and a spare in the cupboard. I make a pizza about every week at least. So everything for that is always on hand. Trying to make a small batch of rolls or a single french bread is still in the works.

I have a kitchenaid with a dough hook have used it twice. Maybe. I need to up my game on this as I loove fresh buns and bread.

Making mini lasagnas is a labor of love, but they freeze well and again make a great gift, in the disposable tins. White or red sauce can be used.

Smart man, lasagna is a labour of love but freezes so darn well in squares. I use metal containers with the lids and double wrap them for the freezer. Thaw a bit then throw in the oven or dump into another and microwave.

I may sound like im someone's grandmother, but im a health single normal 60 year old guy. I grew up on a farm and did high voltage linework for my career, i just like to cook. When im in the mood.

Nope, you sound awesome and plan very well. You've given me a lot of ideas to work on thank you.

 

[lineman1234]

Tturbo, homemade soap and candles arent hard to make either, just a bit intimidating the first couple times. They make great personal gifts.

I have been making soap, for about 20 years. I read a book, when we used to read books before the internet. I tried it, and have been making it ever since. Its soap/shampoo/cream rinse/shaving cream, all in one. Laundry soap also, but not practical. The book below gives multiple rsps for different needs. I dont have any needs for homemade, but i like the results. I even have a recipe for poison ivy soap. Havent made it yet, but is is said to really help if a person gets it. I really could have used that before retiring from linework. Figures, i got it after i retired from a girl that her grandmother used to make it.

A very cool book and free if you find it at the right place, just pay for shipping, is.
( SOAP , by Ann Brambson ) i believe. Great book to read, gives the history on soap.

 

[kb0zke]

We generally have a few quick meals for those times when time is short. Jo Ann is a great cook, so she generally does the cooking. That said, she will often prepare enough for leftovers that can be quickly reheated.

 

[Tturbo]

Those ready to go meals are awesome...wish they came with someone to cook them ! Quite often I will pre cook and freeze foods to take to camp so I'm not stuck cooking at the fire every day. But in the end nothing beats a simple steak and potato over the fire

That's why I look for KISS ready to go meals so I don't have to think too much yet have something tasty. Steak and spuds are a great go to for sure.