Filed under: camp pots, camp side cooking, campfire cooking, camping, campside cooking, cast iron cookware, cast iron pots, dutch oven, enamel, griddle, griddles, sauce pans, seasoned, skillet, skillets
Break out the cast iron cookware and get ready for some delicious camp side cooking.
As the temperature begins to rise, many of us begin to think about pulling the tent out and readying ourselves for another season full of weekend getaways. Whether we are heading up to the mountains, down to the lake, or into our own backyards, camping gives us the chance to unwind, relax and get back in touch with nature.
One of the most enjoyable experiences for most people while camping is the delicious meals we get to prepare. And nothing brings out the flavor that only a campfire can provide better than quality cast iron cookware. Whether you’re cooking bacon and eggs over a griddle for breakfast, a delicious stew in a cast iron camp pot or frying some burgers in your favorite cast iron skillet, durable and versatile cast iron can be used at every meal.
If you can’t wait to start cooking under the stars but would like something different than the traditional steak or flap jacks, here are a couple of delicious recipes that could add some spice to your cast iron cooking this camping season!
Cast Iron Quesadillas
Add some zest this camping season and go a little Southwestern! These delicious quesadillas cooked to perfection with a cast iron skillet and griddle will bring smiles to the faces of everyone on the site.
Ingredients
- Chopped Steak, Chicken (Or your Favorite meat)
- Chopped Vegetables (Peppers, Onions, Potatoes)
- Shredded Colby Jack Cheese (Or your Favorite Cheese)
- Taco Seasoning
- Large Tortillas
- Sour Cream
- Salsa or Hot Sauce or Both
Heat your seasoned cast iron skillet over the camp fire and toss in your meats and vegetables, you can use some olive oil if you wish, but a well seasoned skillet will keep your meat from sticking naturally. Add taco seasoning to the meat and vegetable mix and allow the seasoning to cook into the mix.
When the mix is about done, heat your griddle over the fire. Place a small amount of oil on the tortillas and place the tortillas on the cast iron griddle. When the tortillas begin to fluff, flip them over and place the meat and vegetable mix and shredded cheese on one side of the shell. Flip th empty half of the shell over and remove from the griddle. Apply sour cream, salsa and hot sauce to your individual taste and enjoy.
Compliment your quesadillas with a box of Mexican rice prepared according to the directions in a cast iron sauce pan!
Chicken & Stars under the Stars
Looking for a quick and easy meal that will please both kids and adults alike? This scrumptious chicken dish can be prepared quickly and served in bowls to make it easy to eat.
Ingredients
- Chicken (finely chopped)
- Egg Noddles (16 ounce Bag)
- Chicken & Stars Soup (3 Cans)
- Cream of Chicken Soup (1 Can)
Cook the chicken in a cast iron skillet over the camp fire. The chicken can be chopped either before or after it has cooked. I prefer to do it before as it will cook a little faster. While the chicken cooks, bring water in an enamel cast iron dutch oven to a boil. Add the egg noddles and cook until softened. When the noodles are cooked, drain them and then add the chicken, chicken and stars and cream of chicken into the dutch oven and mix together. Allow the Chicken and Stars to simmer and then serve with your favorite vegetables (which can be mixed into the dutch oven for added flavor).
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Filed under: camp pots, camp side cooking, campfire cooking, camping, campside cooking, cast iron, cast iron cookware, cast iron pots, cookware, dutch oven, skillet, skillets | Tags: camp side cooking, campfire cooking, camping, cast iron, cast iron camp pot, cast iron cookware, cast iron dutch oven, cast iron seasoning, cast iron skillet, outdoor cooking, seasoned cast iron cookware
Well, it is definitely that time of year again. The leaves are starting to fall, football season is in full swing and everybody is itching to break out their tents and sleeping bags for a relaxing weekend under the stars.
If your like me – and I’m sure many of you are – the greatest part about a weekend camping trip is the cooking. When you’ve spent all day hiking, throwing horse shoes and playing hide and seek with the kids, there is nothing better than the taste of a hearty stew or some steak and eggs cooked to perfection in your favorite piece of cast iron cookware.
As you know, cast iron cookware is available in a variety of styles, each with their own, unique place when it comes to campfire cooking. Depending on the length of your camping trip and how much cooking you are planning on doing – in my case, a lot – you will need to decide what types of cast iron cookware you will want to bring along.
- Cast Iron Skillets – When camping, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn’t absolutely love their cast iron skillet. Whether you are preparing pancakes for breakfast or a some loose meat sandwiches for the evening meal, the cast iron skillet is a favorite of campers everywhere.
- Cast Iron Camp Pots – Cast Iron camp pots are the ultimate in outdoor cookware. For anyone who loves outdoor cooking, the camp pot is probably the most important cooking vessel in your cast iron arsenal. And they don’t call them ovens for the heck of it – Most quality cast iron camp pots will have feet on the bottom for sitting over hot coals or wood and a flat lid which will allow the camp side chef to put hot coals on the lid, allowing the food to cook more evenly from the top and bottom – very similar to your conventional oven at home.
- Cast Iron Dutch Ovens – Very similar to the cast iron cam pot, the cast iron dutch oven allows you to cook large meals for the whole family. Quality dutch ovens will usually have a reversible lid which will allow the cook to turn it over to place coals for oven-style cooking and a sturdy handle for hanging the dutch oven over the fire for slow roasting.
- Cast Iron Jambalaya Pots – Down here in Cajun country, we love our jambalaya. Jambalaya pots and stands are the perfect way to prepare a huge pot of jambalaya or gumbo – allowing it to slowly simmer over the course of a few hours.
The most important thing to remember when cap side cooking is to plan ahead. Make sure you have enough food for the meals you plan so you don’t have to make any special runs to the nearest store, which will probably be overpriced and prepare an area to place th hot cast iron once you are done cooking – the last thing you want to do is end up being the poster child for preventing forest fires.
Safety is key when cooking with cast iron – both around the campfire and in your home. It is important to remember that cast iron cookware gets HOT – take precautions and keep small children away from the fire and the skillet once the eggs are ready. Some of the things you should consider when cooking by campfire include:
- Season your cookware – Before heading out to the campsite, make sure your cast iron cookware is properly seasoned. If you regularly cook with your trusty cast iron dutch oven, there is no reason it shouldn’t be, but if you notice any rusty areas or are just a little unsure, follow the steps in my previous blog, Cast Iron Seasoning.
- Don’t rush cooking – Wait for the fire to burn into a bed of coals before cooking. Not only will the coals be hotter, but you will have less of a chance of getting singed by the flame.
- Wear the right clothes – Avoid loose clothing that could fall into the heat and catch fire while you are cooking or could catch on the handle of a skillet or pan.
- Put out the heat – Once your food is prepared, make sure to put out the coals and ensure that everyone is aware of the danger so they do not step on a stray hot area.
- Be prepared – Have some water, a shovel and an ash container in case of an emergency where you will need to extinguish the flame.
When done properly, camping and outdoor cooking is one of the greatest experiences in the world. Not only will cooking with cast iron over a campfire allow you to make one of the most delicious meals your family has ever tasted, but it will get them away from the television where you can spend some true quality time. So, grab the tent, the sweatshirts and that trusty seasoned cast iron cookware and get your family in touch with nature!
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