Simple portable stove cooking ideas for camping

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Camping is fun and relaxing, and part of the appeal is getting away from civilization in general. If one camps in a place where restaurants, convenience stores, and fast food establishments are not to be found, then cooking on a portable stove can enable the camper to have hot food in even the most remote places. Camping stoves can be found in many different sizes and varieties, ranging from small one burner propane stoves to elaborate portable stoves with many attachments that can be used as stoves, griddles, or grills. A backpacker who carries a simple stove in his pack, a family of campers with an SUV full of gear, or RVers who want to cook breakfast outdoors can all benefit from using these simple ideas for cooking on a portable stove.

Preparation is a big part of successful cooking on a camping trip. Since campers usually have to bring all of the food they will cook on the trip, deciding what to bring is a very important first step. Many of the dishes that a camper prepares at home can be cooked on a portable stove, and simple dishes will be most successful, especially those that can be cooked in one pot. After deciding how long the camping trip will be, a good idea is to determine how many meals will be needed. For instance, on a five day trip, the camper will need five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners, plus snacks. After eliminating the number of meals that can be made without cooking, the camper will then have to decide on menus and purchase the ingredients for each meal to be cooked.

Food storage is very important on a camping trip, especially if the camper is going to an area where wildlife could get into supplies. Plastic storage containers, storage bags, and ice chests are essential for good food storage, and ingredients for meals can be put into individual bags or containers. Much of the preparation for the meals can be done at home, such as chopping vegetables or precooking meat, and some of the items can even be taken to the camping site still frozen. Blocks of ice in the ice chest will keep foods cool and safe and will allow frozen items to thaw properly; for less mess use water frozen in 2 liter or 20 oz. plastic soda bottles, or freeze juice or punch in the bottles. In general, the menu should be planned so that fresh meats and foods are used first, frozen items next, and canned or dried foods last. By planning menus before the trip, the camper will be sure to have all of the ingredients and not run out of food. If the camping trip involves fishing and the camper plans to cook the catch, extra food should be taken in case the catch is less than expected.

Breakfast is a good meal to cook outdoors, and there are many simple menus that are easy to cook on a portable stove. The camper can use a sturdy, seasoned cast iron skillet, a griddle that fits across two burners, or a built-in griddle to cook traditional breakfast foods such as pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Easy scrambled eggs can be made by cracking a couple of eggs into a Ziploc bag, sprinkling with salt and pepper, and adding a little milk; put the bag into a pan of boiling water, cook until eggs are set, and then squish the bag to scramble while holding with a towel and pour out onto a plate. Pancake batter can also be mixed in a plastic bag; use a complete mix that needs only water. Snip off a bottom corner of the bag, and squirt the mixture out onto the griddle. Water can be boiled on the stove to make coffee or tea; toast can be made by buttering bread and frying on the griddle, or using a special holder that extends over the fire to make dry toast. A cast iron sandwich or smores maker is handy; two pieces of bread with a filling are put into the holder, which is on a long rod, and its held over the fire until the filling melts. If the camper prefers cereal for breakfast, oatmeal or other hot cereals can be made in a pan over the portable stove.

Since most campers do not want to spend much time in cooking and cleaning-up chores, easy dishes that do not involve cooking, such as sandwiches, could be prepared for lunch or dinner on alternate days. Dinners that are cooked could include one-pot dishes, such as spaghetti, stew, chili, or beans, and could be combined with Dutch oven cooking for more variety. Dutch ovens can be filled with ingredients and then buried under coals for slow, even cooking with results similar to baking in an oven, and they can also be used for cooking food over a stove burner. Here are some simple recipes that are easy to prepare and can be cooked on a portable stove while camping.

TEX-MEX CHICKEN

1 large can of boned chicken

1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 8 oz. bag grated Cheddar cheese

Individual bags of tortilla chips

Heat the first three ingredients in a pan on a portable camping stove until hot; stir to blend ingredients. For each camper, crush a bowl of tortilla chips and pour into a bowl. Add a large spoonful of the hot mixture and top with grated cheese. Serve with sour cream and guacamole. The chip bags can be used as bowls for less cleaning up time.

FRIED FISH AND POTATOES

Potatoes

Freshly caught and cleaned fish

Cornmeal or cracker meal

Seasoned salt & pepper

Cooking oil

While the fish are being cleaned, cut washed and unpeeled potatoes into very small cubes or French fry strips. Heat cooking oil in a Dutch oven on a portable camping stove until hot. Carefully drop in potatoes and cook until golden brown. Remove from oil with a metal slotted spoon or spatula.

Roll fish in cornmeal; drop into hot oil left over from the potatoes. Cook until golden brown. Remove from oil with a metal spatula or tongs. Serve with baked beans.

HAMBURGER STEW

1 lb. lean ground meat

1 can large-cut mixed vegetables

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

Brown ground meat in large pot or Dutch oven on portable camping stove. Pour in mixed vegetables, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer until flavors are mixed and stew is hot. Serve with Dutch oven cornbread or crackers.

BAKED BEANS

2 cans of pork and beans or baked beans

Bacon strips

? onion, chopped

1 T. mustard

2 T. brown sugar

? cup ketchup

Cook bacon and onion in a skillet on a portable camping stove until the bacon is crisp and the onion browned. Pour off grease and add the other ingredients; stir. Simmer until flavors are blended. Serve with hot dogs and chips, fried fish, or meat dishes.

CAMPING SPAGHETTI

1 jar or can spaghetti sauce

1 lb. lean ground meat

1 pkg. spaghetti

Grated Parmesan cheese

Brown ground meat in large pot or Dutch oven on portable camping stove. Pour in the spaghetti sauce and a cup of water. Stir. Put spaghetti into the sauce and simmer until noodles are tender and sauce is thickened. Grate Parmesan cheese over each plate of spaghetti; serve with garlic bread.