2 Easy Campfire Meals Kids Will Love!

As the Leader of 12 fifth grade Girl Scouts, I needed to plan quick and easy meals we could cook over the campfire. More importantly, I needed food that all of the girls would love! These suggestions are my Troop's favorite campfire recipes.

Campfire Chili

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef

1 box of elbow macaroni

2 28-oz cans of crushed tomatoes

2 28-oz cans of petite diced tomatoes

4 14-oz cans of dark red kidney beans

1 14-oz can of tomato sauce

Chili powder

Cumin

Large bag of Corn Chips

1 large stock pot for cooking on a grate

Before heading out to the campsite, I brown the ground beef, drain it well, and store it in a zip-lock bag. If you won't be making your dinner for 8 hours after you arrive at your campsite, you can freeze this and keep it in your cooler where it will thaw over time. Also prepare the macaroni per the box directions, drain and store in a zip-lock bag. I don't recommend freezing the macaroni. When you're ready to cook, have the kids open the cans and dump them into the pot. Add in the ground beef and macaroni. Stir well and season with Chili Powder and Cumin to taste. I use approximately 3 tablespoons of Chili Powder and 1 tablespoon of Cumin, but I rarely use a measuring spoon.

Place the stock pot on a grate over red hot coals. Placing the pot over direct flames will just heat your chili superfast and not allow the flavors time to blend well. Stir occasionally to ensure the chili is not sticking to the pot! Give your chili at least an hour to simmer over the fire.

Our girls prefer their chili served over corn chips in their mess kit bowls. Just remember, the metal mess kit will heat up with the hot chili! This recipe should serve at least 10 hungry kids!

Campfire Walking Tacos

Ingredients:

3 pounds Extra Lean ground beef

3 packages of taco seasoning

2 ½ cups of water

3 fresh diced Tomatoes or 1 28-oz can of petite diced tomatoes

1 diced onion

Extra Large bag of shredded lettuce

Extra Large bag of cheese (about 6 cups)

Sour Cream

Salsa

Individual bags of corn chips

1 large cast iron skillet

In your cast iron skillet, brown the ground beef. I recommend the extra lean beef so that there will not be any need to drain the ground beef. You don't want to be attracting any critters to your campsite! After browning, add water and all packages of taco seasoning. Stir well and let cook down. Set out the onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and salsa. Give each child their own bag of corn chips. Add taco meat to the bag and then let each child dress their walking taco however they choose! This recipe should also serve 10 happy campers!

Banana Boats

1 banana for each camper

1 Large bag of mini chocolate chips

1 large bag of mini marshmallows

1 sharp knife

Foil

Slit the unpeeled banana its full length. Widen the slit made with the knife. Have your campers add chocolate chips and marshmallows inside the banana. Wrap in foil. Place foil wrapped bananas and place right in the hot coals. Give them about 10 minutes. Retrieve the bananas using oven mitts and tongs. Open the foil and serve with spoons! Enjoy!

Each of these recipes has been tested on 12 picky Junior Girl Scouts and all met with resounding praise! Enjoy!