How many times do you hear this statement? Even when on a camping trip you still hear this said, trust me! While camping is a truly fun and relaxing adventure for all involved one seems to forget that some chores never end. For example, cooking and cleaning, the chore most of us would love to eliminate. Unfortunately this is a dream that won’t come true. No matter what type of camping trip you take you still have to eat. Unless you plan to eat out every meal, then you still have to plan for your meals. That is where planning ahead will make your camping trip a very rewarding and relaxing event. The less work for you to do while camping, the better off you are.

Every family is different, some like simple meals while others want full coarse ones. Whichever your family is always try and cut down on your work. Think paper plates and plastic utensils, most meals will taste just as good on a paper plate as opposed to a plate that has to be washed. Less work right, my point exactly.

Now as we talk about the different types of families I will tell you mine is the one who wants a full coarse meal. If you ask my husband what he wants for dinner even while on a camping trip, rest assured he’s going to say Steaks, Shrimp, Ribs or even yummy Wings. Over the years of camping I have come up with recipes that complement the taste for all these foods while requiring little work prior to cooking them while on your camping trip. That means I’m still relaxing and enjoying our camping adventure but feeding my family with a full coarse meal. After the meals clean up mainly consist of a trash bag.

Let’s start from the beginning on how I achieve these kinds of meals with as little work as possible while camping. With paper and pencil in hand I sit down and plan every meal. When I accomplish that chore I move on to what preparations I will need to achieve prior to going camping. After doing the grocery shopping, preparations begin. Most of your side dishes can be prepared before you leave home. A few examples of side dishes are potato salad and baked beans to go with your ribs or wings, or baked potatoes and salad to go with your steaks. Presto!

Below are a few of my recipes to get you started on your preparations for a fun filled camping trip in which you can eat great with very little time spent preparing the meal at the camp site.

Yummy Chicken Wings

2 ½ lbs. of wings

1 cup Dale’s steak seasonings

1 pkg. McCormick buffalo wings seasoning mix (assorted flavors to choose from)

Wash and dry wings. Place in Ziploc bags. One Hour prior to cooking pour Dale’s seasoning over wings turning to coat well every 15 minutes. Drain and discard after marinating. Sprinkle entire package of seasoning mix on to wings and toss well to coat evenly. Cook on preheated grill turning as needed until done. Remember to have wings ready and in Ziploc bags prior to leaving for camping trip.

Homemade Hamburger Patties

2 lbs. of lean ground beef

1 small onion (chopped)

2 eggs beaten well

4 tables. Spoons Dale’s Steak Seasoning

½ - ¾ cup of seasoned bread crumbs

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix together beaten eggs, onion, and Dale’s seasoning in large bowl. Add ground beef and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in bread crumbs and mix well. Pat out into size of patties you desire. Cook or freeze for later. If freezing, be sure and separate patties with waxed paper to keep them from sticking together. For camping all you need to do is take desired amount of frozen patties with you. Thaw them out and cook on the grill.

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken

Thin sliced chicken (dark or white meat)

1 pack of bacon

Fresh Mushrooms chopped into small pieces

Shredded Cheese (your choice of flavors)

Tooth picks

Lay your thin slices of chicken out flat. Fill center with chopped mushrooms and cheese. Roll up and insert a toothpick through it to keep it together. Take strips of bacon and wrap around you’re rolled up strips of chicken. Again use your toothpicks to hold everything into place. Grill until done. For your camping trip you have all the chicken prepared and ready to go on the grill.

Baby Back Ribs

Desired amount of baby back ribs

Dale’s Steak Seasoning

Garlic

Salt and Pepper to taste

B.B.Q. Sauce

Place the ribs in a large pot and cover with water. Add small amount of the Dale’s seasoning. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, salt and pepper. Bring pot to a boil, turn heat down and simmer ribs for approximately 1 ½ hours until tender but not falling off the bone. Cool then cook or freeze for later. When cooking put on grill for a short time to give grilled flavor while adding your favorite bbq. Sauce to both sides. Fall off the bone good ribs. For your camping trip you take out of freezer, thaw, cook and eat. How easy is that?

All of the above recipes can be cooked on an outdoor camping grill or an open campfire using a good cooking-grate.

Article written by my wife, Cindy