Campfire Cooking: Delicious Recipes and Tips for Outdoor Dining

There’s something truly magical about gathering around a crackling campfire, surrounded by nature, and indulging in a satisfying meal. Campfire cooking brings a unique charm to outdoor adventures, allowing you to create delicious dishes infused with the flavours of the wilderness. In this blog post, we’ll explore some mouth-watering campfire recipes and share valuable tips to elevate your outdoor dining experience. Get ready to ignite your taste buds and embark on a culinary journey under the open sky!

Campfire Classics: Hearty Dutch Oven Chili

The Dutch oven is a versatile cooking tool that can turn simple ingredients into a flavorful masterpiece. This recipe guides you through preparing a hearty campfire chili, packed with tender meat, beans, and aromatic spices. Let it simmer over the fire for hours, allowing the flavours to merge together into a satisfying bowl of comfort.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small red chili, diced
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 500 ml beef broth
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. Place your Dutch oven over the campfire or on a grill grate, ensuring it is stable and secure.
2. Add the ground beef to the Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon.
3. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and chilli to the Dutch oven. Cook until the vegetables are softened and aromatic.
4. Stir in the kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Mix well to combine.
5. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.
6. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and let the chili simmer over the campfire for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.
7. Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning if desired.
8. Serve the hearty Dutch oven chili hot, garnished with your choice of toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions.

Note: If you prefer a thicker chili, you can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.

Foil Packet Delights: Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken

Foil packets are a camper’s best friend when it comes to easy and delicious meals. This recipe features grilled lemon herb chicken, marinated in a zesty blend of herbs and spices. Seal the marinated chicken and fresh veggies in a foil packet, then cook it over the campfire for a juicy and flavorful dish that requires minimal clean-up.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. Cut four large sheets of aluminum foil, approximately 30cm x 30cm each.
3. Place one chicken breast on each piece of foil.
4. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
5. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over each chicken breast.
6. Place a couple of lemon slices on top of each chicken breast.
7. Sprinkle minced garlic evenly over the chicken breasts.
8. Lay a sprig of rosemary and thyme on top of each chicken breast.
9. Drizzle a little olive oil over each chicken breast to keep it moist during grilling.
10. Fold the foil over the chicken breasts to create a packet, sealing the edges tightly.
11. Place the foil packets on the preheated grill and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 75°C.
12. Carefully remove the foil packets from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
13. Open the foil packets, discard the herbs if desired, and serve the grilled lemon herb chicken hot.

Sweet Treats: Campfire S’mores Dip

No camping experience is complete without indulging in a gooey and decadent s’mores treat. This twist on the classic s’mores involves creating a campfire s’mores dip in a cast-iron skillet. Simply layer chocolate and marshmallows, place it over the fire until melted and bubbly, then serve with graham crackers for a delightful and shareable dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 Block of milk chocolate, chopped
• 1 Packet of marshmallows
• 1 packet digestive biscuits, for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare a campfire or preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. In a heat-resistant skillet or cast-iron pan, evenly spread the chopped milk chocolate.
3. Arrange the mini marshmallows on top of the chocolate, covering it completely.
4. Place the skillet or pan on the campfire or grill grate, ensuring it is stable and secure.
5. Allow the chocolate and marshmallows to melt and become gooey. This will take about 5-7 minutes, but keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
6. Once the marshmallows are golden and toasted, remove the skillet or pan from the campfire or grill.
7. Serve the campfire s’mores dip immediately with digestive biscuits for dipping.

Tips for Successful Campfire Cooking:

• Plan Ahead: Preparing a camping meal requires some advance preparation. Pre-cut ingredients, portion them into individual containers, and organise your spices and cooking utensils to streamline the cooking process.
• Safety First: Always prioritise safety when cooking over a campfire. Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies, use proper heat-resistant gloves, and ensure the fire is fully extinguished after cooking.
• Pack the Right Tools: Invest in quality campfire cooking equipment, such as cast-iron cookware, long-handled grilling tools, and a sturdy tripod or grill grate for stable cooking surfaces.
• Embrace Local Ingredients: Experiment with local produce and ingredients during your camping trips. Visit farmers’ markets or roadside stands near your campsite to discover fresh and unique flavours that add a touch of regional charm to your meals.
• Get Creative: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your campfire cooking. Try new recipes, experiment with different spices and seasonings, and encourage everyone to participate in the cooking process for a fun and collaborative experience.

Campfire cooking is an art that allows you to create delicious meals while immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. Whether you’re preparing a hearty Dutch oven chili, grilling flavourful chicken in foil packets, or indulging in a sweet s’mores dip, the flavours and experiences around the campfire are unmatched. Remember to plan ahead, prioritize safety, and let your culinary creativity shine. Embrace the joy of outdoor dining and savour every bite, creating lasting memories around the campfire with your loved ones.