Camp fire cooking for kiddos - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Camp fire cooking for kiddos

Posted: 9/1/2015 10:24:14 AM EDT

Me and other dad's around my neighborhood take the kids a few times a year camping. It's only the dad's and we typically have a dozen or more kids just running wild and having an all around great time. Kids usually or number the dad's 2:1.

I would like to do something more than just burgers and hot dogs for dinner. But I am lost on suggestions! MREs and other freeze dried foods are out. Looking online the only thing I've been finding are quasi gourmet meals that require a few hours of prep. We want the kids to have fun so they want to keep going camping, would be great if they could start participating more too. The oldest is around 8 youngest being 2!

So dad's and campers, what are some good dinner cooking ideas for kiddos?

Posted: 9/1/2015 10:43:52 AM EDT

[#1]

I take my griddle and do a big breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon and hashbrowns over the fire.

I like to precook stuff to heat up, red beans and rice or gumbo is always good.

Posted: 9/1/2015 10:54:12 AM EDT

[#2]

We do breakfast burritos and those work great.

Posted: 9/1/2015 11:20:54 AM EDT

[#3]

Try silver turtles. Aluminum foil, hamburger meat, onions, potatoes, green peppers, etc. wrap in foil and place in edge of fire. Look up brown paper bag eggs and bacon for breakfast.

Posted: 9/1/2015 12:10:30 PM EDT

[#4]

Inside aluminum foil put beef tips, pearl onions, sliced carrots, chunks of potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of A1 or 57 steak sauce. Wrap up tight, set in coals, and let steam until carrots and beef is tender.

Making my mouth water just typing it,

Posted: 9/1/2015 12:39:10 PM EDT

[#5]

I did breakfast with my kids using an iron skillet on the coals. My kids had an aversion to the appearance of the eggs after having cooked bacon and potatoes in the same pan. They got over it but something to look out for. Might want to cook the eggs first then use aluminum foil to keep them warm while cooking the rest or line the skillet with something maybe.

Posted: 9/1/2015 1:14:46 PM EDT

[#6]

The aluminum foil recipes are what my kids call a "hobo". They love making them. Get the 12 kids involved, with the oldest ones cutting the veggies and each of them packing and seasoning their own foil packet. Then finish up with roasted marshmallows or s'mores. They'll talk about it for a long time.

If you have access to a dutch oven, my kids really like peach cobbler. They have to prepare the peaches and help with the bisquick mix. I bring a can of whipped cream and they eat it like candy.

If you can fish while you camp they think it's really cool to eat fish they caught with some rice. Again, aluminum foil is your friend...

Fire roasted corn ears take up a lot of volume but are also really popular.

Posted: 9/1/2015 1:54:47 PM EDT

[#7]

Apple dump cake in a dutch oven, you REALLY REALLY need to give it a try. I'll dig up some photos.

Posted: 9/1/2015 2:14:08 PM EDT

[#8]

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Quoted:
Apple dump cake in a dutch oven, you REALLY REALLY need to give it a try. I'll dig up some photos.

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Looks like I need a Dutch oven! I have plenty of cast iron.....but no Dutch oven!

Posted: 9/1/2015 2:14:46 PM EDT

[#9]

At our last cub scout campout, we made tacos with all of the trimmings. The boys really liked it. They especially enjoyed being able to help prepare the food.

Posted: 9/1/2015 2:24:55 PM EDT

[#10]

Apple Dump Cake......

Duck wrapped in peppered bacon...

Posted: 9/1/2015 2:31:15 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Apple dump cake in a dutch oven, you REALLY REALLY need to give it a try. I'll dig up some photos.

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Dutch ovens are awesome for a lot of baking. They make a great pizza if your oven is big enough, and the kids can make them since its so simple.

Posted: 9/1/2015 3:03:06 PM EDT

[#12]

if you buy a dutch oven make sure you go ahead and buy the paper liners. They are a must have!

Posted: 9/1/2015 3:18:26 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
At our last cub scout campout, we made tacos with all of the trimmings. The boys really liked it. They especially enjoyed being able to help prepare the food.

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I use the cast iron griddle for this too. Seth, go find a good supermercado and load up on some meat and cheap veggies.

Posted: 9/1/2015 3:51:02 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I did breakfast with my kids using an iron skillet on the coals. My kids had an aversion to the appearance of the eggs after having cooked bacon and potatoes in the same pan. They got over it but something to look out for. Might want to cook the eggs first then use aluminum foil to keep them warm while cooking the rest or line the skillet with something maybe.

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Eggs in bacon grease are the best eggs!!!

I know, my granny told me a long time ago.

Posted: 9/1/2015 4:33:39 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

Eggs in bacon grease are the best eggs!!!

I know, my granny told me a long time ago.

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View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I did breakfast with my kids using an iron skillet on the coals. My kids had an aversion to the appearance of the eggs after having cooked bacon and potatoes in the same pan. They got over it but something to look out for. Might want to cook the eggs first then use aluminum foil to keep them warm while cooking the rest or line the skillet with something maybe.

Eggs in bacon grease are the best eggs!!!

I know, my granny told me a long time ago.

Agreed. I told them I wouldn't have a problem eating theirs if they didn't want them.

Posted: 9/1/2015 4:35:04 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

Try silver turtles. Aluminum foil, hamburger meat, onions, potatoes, green peppers, etc. wrap in foil and place in edge of fire. Look up brown paper bag eggs and bacon for breakfast.

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Yup, we always called them "Bear Claws" in scouts or a "Hobo dinner" but they are one of my favorites.

You can also buy the shake up bisquick mix for pancakes in the morning.

For dessert nothing beats a cobbler cooked in a dutch over. Another good one is to cut and apple in half, pour some cinnamon and brown sugar on the halves, put it back together, wrap in foil and then cook in the fire like the silver turtles. It turns into a warm apple sauce type thing you can eat with a spoon.

Posted: 9/1/2015 5:01:02 PM EDT

[#17]

To add to the recipe mix: River taters

We always made them camping on the river so it fit. Any kind of deep pan, bigger the better. Slice your taters like you would to fry them and lay them in the pan. Cover with onion sliced/diced to whatever consistency you prefer and top it with ample butter, sour cream, and any and all kinds of cheese you want/like. Cover with foil and cook until taters are soft. You can do this with just foil, but it can get messy and is harder to move unless you use a lot. Works in the oven at home too.

If your like me you can add mushrooms too and that's pretty good, but if you can sauté those on the side with onions and moore's I prefer that more. A decent cake sized pan of these would last about 20 minutes around 4-5 adults with a few beers in them, so adjust recipe to compensate.

ETA: Sorry forgot to mention, I've ate them plain and with seasoning and they're fine without. But salt/pepper/season to your liking, or cook without and let folks add to taste if you're with picky eaters.

Posted: 9/1/2015 10:01:19 PM EDT

[#18]

For men in the wild:

http://www.girlscoutsla.org/documents/4_Foil_Pack_Ember_Cooking_Recipes.pdf

No offense... I have three daughters.

Posted: 9/1/2015 10:20:38 PM EDT

[#19]

Take mine trout fishing. take a potatoe, head of cabbage, and fresh cleaned trout. Slice the potato and cabbage into fourths (can add carrots too if they like) and place a 1/4 slice along with a fresh cleaned trout and a pat of butter into foil. Wrap tight and toss on the grill (or whatever you have) for around 45 mins. Delicious