Camping Snacks

Hmmmm.

Camping Snacks.  What to bring.... what to pack.....

It HAS to be something easy and quick.  Trail mix is always a favorite but we already talked about trail mix.  But did you know that you can add a seasoning to your camping snack trail mix to give it a different "zing"?

Here are some suggestions:  now. keep an open mind.
thai seasoning,cayenne pepper,  cardomom, cinnamon, curry, chili powder, creole seasoning,  etc. Did you know that these spicy seasonings can really be a great choice for a cold weather camping snack!

Camping Supplies for You

Camping Snacks

I never go anywhere without snacks.  I am actually known for providing snacks whenever I go traveling with anyone, or whenever there is a family event or party.  Well, actually, come to think of it, whenever I am in my car, too.  I think my daughters and I could live in the car for a couple of weeks with the stash of supplies and snacks we have.

So, it would make perfect sense for me to know a little about camping snacks.

My daughters love trail mix.  All kinds of trail mix.  We could talk all day about what people like to put in their trail mix, or rather what they like to find.  When you buy a pre-made trail mix, there is always something in it you don't like.  For us, it's cashews.  We just don't really like them.  That's why we make our own trail mix from snacks we will like.  Nuts, raisins, and chocolate (in ALL varieties) are what we like in our gorp or trail mix.  But we can do a whole blog entry just on gorp recipes alone, which we may just do.  However, this entry talks about camping snacks in general.

Some other great camping snack ideas are:
pretzels, fruit (fresh and dried), marshmallows, sesame sticks, granola, tomatoes, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, licorice, graham crackers.......
as you can see almost anything makes a great camping snack.

Having a jar of peanut butter with you at all times can also dress up your plain snacks into something more interesting and tasty.

Overall, snacks are great!  They are good to have anytime of the day.  I love snacks!

Camping Supplies For You

Foil Dinners

Yup.  You can make a delicious, easy meal all wrapped up and cooked in tin foil.  And you know what?  You know how there is a shiny side and a dull side to tin foil?  Well, it really makes no difference at all which side you put the food on.  Who would have thought?  Then why make 2 different sides?  I have no idea, but will be checking into that for all of us so we can sleep better at night.

We are going to talk about the easiest, most popular foil dinner today.  The meat and potatoes one.  All you need are:

• Tin foil
• Cooking spray
• Hamburger meat
• Potatoes
• Vegetable (usually carrots/string beans)
• Tomatoes/Onions

Cut up all your ingredients and prepare them for individual sizes.

You have your ingredients, so are you ready?

1. Roll out the foil flat
2. Spray with some cooking spray
3. Place the meat in the center of the foil (the meat takes the longest to cook)
4. Place sliced potatoes, and vegetables next on top of the meat
5. Add the tomatoes and/or onions (helps to keep the meat from drying out)
6. Wrap it all up in the foil

Your coals have to be perfect, so once they are, place your foil food packet (meat closest to the coals) and let sit there for about 30 to 40 minutes.  The time could vary depending on how hot the coals are.

When your meal is ready, you are all set to eat.  You have just made a great, delicious dinner!  The great thing about tinfoil is that it cools really fast and you can touch it to open it fairly soon once you have it off the coals.  And of course, the real great thing about cooking in tin foil is there no pots or pans to clean!

Camping Supplies for You

S'mores

I love chocolate.  I really love chocolate.  I also love to camp.   So, it should come as no surprise to you that I love s'mores. I have toasted my marshmallows, broke my graham crackers in half, and eaten a lot of chocolate bars even before any of these items where actually constructed together to make the perfect s'more.

The best way to make a s'more is to first make sure the fire is perfect for toasting marshmallows.  There should be no actual flames, just smoldering, light up in the dark coals.   Then you need the perfect stick.    Make sure it is not too dry or the coals might like it too much and start to burn it.  You should have the necessary supplies before hand:  marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars.
(You can also buy the perfect stick before you get started)

You will need to get your graham cracker squares and your chocolate squares ready first.  Put the graham cracker on a plate, or napkin, or something.  Then place your chocolate square on top of it.  Now, tend to your marshmallow.  You squish the marshmallow onto one end of the stick and toast it, making sure, you twirl it around to make it nice and brown all the way around.  Don't worry if it drips off your stick and drops in the coals, just get another one and start over.  Do not try and recover the lost marshmallow.

Once your marshmallow is perfectly brown, take it away from the fire and bring it close to your graham cracker and chocolate pile.  Place the marshmallow onto the chocolate square.  Take the other half of your graham cracker and place that on top of the marshmallow.  Then with one hand holding the cracker/chocolate/marshmallow sandwich, you slide the stick out of the marshmallow and place it nearby.  Don't let the gooey end touch the ground as it will pick up all kinds of dirt and yucky stuff.  You will definitely want to use this end again for the next marshmallow.

You can now draw all of your attention to the fantastic, warm, chocolatey, marshmallowy sandwich you have just made.  mmmmmmmmmmm.  Can't you just taste it?  You will find this treat addicting, I am warning you.  I also have to admit that I eat most of the chocolate while I am toasting my marshmallow. It doesn't quite taste the same if there is no chocolate in this sandwich.



Check out this great recipe book for S'mores and other campfire cooking treats!
   
Camping Supplies For You