Campsite cooking is an imperfect science, and that’s what I love about it! There is no cheating your way out of a fresh meal cooked over a fire. However, some things just make life easier and help get you flavorful food right off the fire pit.
While I’m not one of those people who grew up camping every weekend. I did spend many summers around a fire pit or helping the dad-man prepare for camping trips in his Jeep. Now I could tell you to drop your tailgate and throw a camp stove on it and you’re good to go. And that is a way you can go; I’ve done it many times. Though, that’s not the way to get that campfire flavor or fun.
A lot of these might be self-explanatory, but these are all things that I or my dad have forgotten while packing in the past and wind up having to borrow from someone else. Now that’s not a bad thing, but I’d rather people be prepared.
Dutch Oven
I highly recommend getting a cast iron Dutch oven. They are an investment, but well worth the investment if you’re looking for something that will serve you for years to come. They heat up quickly and cool down slowly leaving you the ability to keep adding and cooking things without worrying about the temperature dropping.
Seasoning
I might be the definition of a tiny white girl, but there is no bland food allowed in my fabled kitchen. Sure you could use just basic salt and pepper, but that’s no fun when you're being one with nature. Typically I’m a big fan of using flavors found in or inspired by where I’m staying; that gets expensive. Of course, you need the basics: salt and pepper. But I like to have a season all, like slap yo' mama or good ol' Lawry's. As well as a seasoning cylinder as I call them.
Cheap Serving ware
Cheap is the keyword here. You don’t want to take your good serving spoons to a campground or camp area where they can get stolen and broken. I like to have both metal and plastic serving ware with me as well because cast iron will melt plastic if you leave it in the pan as opposed to metal ones which will just get warm.
Can Opener
Say it with me now, cheap is okay when it comes to certain things when camping. And again the can opener is one of them. I don’t like the more expensive can openers because they don’t work with my grip abilities.
Knives with sheaths
Sheathed knives are non-negotiable to me. I’m beyond clumsy and I’m not about to slice a finger because I blindly stuck my hand into my camping gear. I'm also a big fan of bright colors, for more reasons than they're pretty. Bright colors make it easier to find your knives and sheaths when cleaning up the site.
Cheap Wooden Spoons
Back at it with the explicitly cheap products. I’m a firm believer that the cheap multi-packs of wooden spoons are better than the fancy, coated ones.
Cutting Board
I have a plastic one that I use for camping. The down side to that is that you have to clean it very well after every use. Now, you should do this with any cutting board. But I will be replacing mine with wood in the future because of the antimicrobial effects. But plastic has served me very well. It’s important that whatever cutting board you choose is sturdy because you never know what your counter is going to be made of until you get to the camp ground.
Leather Gloves
Sounds stupid, but trust me. You’ll need it when you’re working with cast iron pans or Dutch ovens. These suckers get hot and stay hot. If you go at it with any old pot holder, you’re going to regret it. I cannot stress it enough to get a good pair of leather gloves. What defines a good pair of gloves? Thick, but it still gives you dexterity. Other than that, price doesn’t matter.
Bonus: Tool chest or Large plastic Container
A water-proof container with a lid is essential for toting all your cooking supplies. I grew up with my dad having both in the back of his jeep. I do not, however, think you need both unless you want both or have that much camping gear dedicated to cooking. What it must have is a locking lid and water resistant at the very least because you don’t want things to be waterlogged and rusting.
Happy Camping. Keep the butter churning and the stories flowing.
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