Camp Cooking Tips
Jingwei Zhao
Cooking above campfires may seem daunting to most, but when you properly plan and keep the recipes simple, it may even be more pleasing than staying indoors. According to New York Times writer Ali Slagle, “There’s nothing quite like cooking over live fire — and no two times are ever the same… There were many nights of cooking out in the wind and rain and jet-black sky, a lot of ramen. Not every night was dreamy, but every morning we were glad to wake up where we were.” Sometimes, campfire cooking can also be adventurous, and every experience offers something different.
The first step to cooking over a campfire is to build the fire itself. Humans have been making fires since at least 780,000 years ago using many different methods, so don’t worry. For example, you can create a fire ring and fill it with tinder. Then, gather kindling and firewood and arrange into a platform fire or teepee fire. If flames don’t already start, then you can use matches or a lighter. There are many guides online for starting a fire, so you can always find a method suited towards you. You should also use store-bought or locally sourced wood to prevent introducing invasive species. Also, always carry water in case of emergencies, such as putting out the fire.
As for equipment, bring one skillet at most, preferably a large, carbon-steel one. You should also bring a sheet pan. It can act as a table for tools, a tray for ingredients, a platter for finished meals, and a lid for other cookware. You can also bring tongs to carry or move food, as well as kitchen shears.
Once you start cooking, make sure to not let the food char or burn. To prevent that, wait for the fire to fizzle down slightly. You’ll know when to start cooking once the logs have turned to coal and they glow orange while being covered with ash. Then, you can put your food in a skillet. If your food is burning, move it to a less powerful area of the fire. Don’t spray the fire with water, as the ashes can splatter onto your food.
A foil packet is an aluminum foil envelope of ingredients. Since the foil packet acts like a single-serve steamer, bring foods that are suitable for steaming if you plan to use one. Put the packet on coals or a grill grate once you’re ready to cook. A few tips include bringing already-cooked proteins. For carrots or potatoes, consider precooking them to save time. You can bring sauces to boost the flavor, and also take oil or butter with you to prevent the food from intermixing. Some foil packet templates include white beans with tomatoes and pesto, or store-bought gnocchi with asparagus, peas, butter, and lemon.
If you’re a campfire cooking amateur, try starting with easier recipes you’re already familiar with. You can also pick foods that are less prone to overcooking, such as skinless chicken thighs. For snacks, fruits and sweet foods are good options. If you also want to make coffee, boil a kettle of water or a pot on the stove. Them, pour that water into a pour-over coffee set on an insulated travel mug. The food doesn’t have to be complicated to be good.
