Our family really enjoys camping. But, we are learning how to "tent" camp instead of trailer camp. (Read: no fridge for 2 weeks). So, I'm cooking in advance and freezing everything. Let's be honest, here. There is nothing like a stinky-meat-juice filled cooler that could make me regret my holiday decision. So, I'm being proactive.
I polled the family and their favorite meals all have something to do with hot dogs roasted over a campfire. However, I'm the meal planner and I say... um... NO. Just because we're camping does not mean that we will be eating junk. Cooking in advance frees me up to just enjoy the holiday and allows me to "hide" veggies and healthy food in their family favorites.
I have been meal planning for camping for the last few years, but have not shared my meal plan until now. So, you lucky duck... you get all my secrets.
1. I'm freezing everything in ziplock bags. This saves room in the cooler and acts as "ice". Freeze them flat on a cookie sheet and they stack nicely on one side of the cooler.
2. Rice and noodles can be made on site. I don't like the sticky-post-frozen-mess that is the pasta once it has thawed.
3. I'm bringing two coolers. One is for the super-cold things, one for the sort-of cold things. Ketchup and mustard do not need super-cold. And, I don't bring the Costco-sized container, either. I put things in smaller containers-- preferably square (as they pack easier)-- and label them. I just use a sharpie and some masking tape. Really fancy, I know.
4. Make a steak marinade, add it to a freezer bag and freeze the whole mess. By the time it's thawed, you're ready to eat steak.
This year's make ahead meals--
*Sweet and Sour Meatballs -- 2 packs frozen-- one per week-- make rice when we get there
*Spaghetti Sauce-- I hide TONNES of veggies in this... shhh... don't tell my kids.
*Taco meat or pork chalupa-- http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pork-chalupas/
*Chicken thighs and frozen "Camp Pockets" (potatoes, onion, carrots) done on the bbq
(http://www.makeandtakes.com/summer-camp-for-kids-tinfoil-dinners)
*Boerenkool with sausage-- this is a traditional Dutch winter meal, but it goes over so well when camping!
(http://www.food.com/recipe/stampot-van-boerenkool-met-worst-kale-with-potatoes-and-sausage-423710)
(Hey, will ya look at that... no mention of hot dogs anywhere.... hehehe.)
Some other things:
The first night we always have hamburgers. This way I don't have to store buns or hamburger patties in my cooler, and I prep the lettuce/ tomatoes at home.
I only take one loaf of bread and a giant pack of tortillas.
For lunch, we have quesadillas, or "nutella roll-ups", and this is when the family likes their hot dogs. But, we wrap our hot dogs in a tortilla and away we go... I always bring some pre-made cans-- ravioli, chili, soup-- for lunch. Or, mac 'n cheese. I don't like making lunch when I'm camping, so it's a bit of a free-for-all.
I really hate cheese slices during the rest of the year, but when we're camping, there's nothing like processed cheddar.
Breakfast is either "Egg McVanEgmonds", Pancakes, or Cereal.
Bacon. You can never have enough bacon. (It does fine in the "not-so-cold" cooler due to it's salted preservation method).
So, there ya have it. Our camping meal plan.
I'll let you know how it goes.
