One of the best parts about camping is the food. Well, let’s say that it can be one of the best parts. Unfortunately, many people put the food last on the list when it comes to camping preparations, especially when it’s the first time camping. There is plenty to do and sometimes you aren’t thinking about what to eat.
However, the right meals will enhance the trip and make it something that you look forward to when you are on your next campaign trip. The cooking experience is a challenge when camping but it is also a lot of fun. In this article, we will give you several ideas to keep in mind when it comes to feeding yourself and your fellow campers so you can get the most out of your trip.
Plan for some snacks
There is a lot of work that goes into camping. You have to put your back into getting to the campsite itself and then pitching the tent. There will be a lot of work like gathering firewood and even setting up your cooking area.
You should plan some short snack breaks to make sure that you have the energy to keep going. Plus, sitting on your hammock and enjoying a snack after a long day of hiking is very satisfying.
Not only that, but it is nice to have some food to share with your camping friends and even neighbours on the other pitches. Think about buying snacks in bulk to make sure that you have enough to share and will always have enough on hand for your future camping trips. There is a bonus of saving money when you buy in bulk.
Plan your cooking medium
You have a couple of options when it comes to cooking your food at the campsite. Some people love the idea of cooking over an open fire and that is a fantastic way to go. It gives you the authentic experience that will be remembered for years to come when you successfully pull off a meal cooked over an open fire.
This is quite a challenge however and can also take a long time to prepare a meal this way. An alternative is to bring along a camping stove that connects to a gas canister. This is going to replicate cooking on a stove at home so you have complete control over what you’re cooking. This is the easiest way to go but is a lot less romantic.
Another consideration is what you will cook in so the pans you select are important. There is a balance between an effective pan and one that can be carried in a backpack. If space is a consideration then make sure to get lightweight or folding pans.
Cook for pleasure
Instead of going with freeze-dried food to be reconstituted in water, think about eating for pleasure and not just for the caloric intake. You have a lot of delicious options for eating when you’re camping. For instance, instead of burgers, prepare some stuffed meat patties to grill that have things like cheese and bacon inside them.
Or, make sure to pack some spices that are easy to carry and will flavour whatever you cook so it isn’t so plain. You can easily add some garlic powder and paprika to any fish you manage to catch and cook to elevate it into something you would gladly pay for at a restaurant.
There are a lot of camping recipes that will make the meal experience something to remember and often don’t require too much effort.
Plan ahead
Don’t just grab a bunch of ingredients figuring that you can decide what to do with them when you get to the site. Have a plan so you can shop for the foods you will turn into a recipe that will be good. A meal plan will also help you do the prep on some of the ingredients so you can break them down into smaller packages and you only take what you need.
For instance, if you want to make chilli then you should have all of the meat and veggies chopped and portioned out with the spices you need all in one package. It will be easier to carry this way and makes cooking it much faster. Even though the cooking will be fun, making it easier will go a long way when you are tired from all the activities you’ve done during the trip.
