Home Style Cooking Over a Hot Camp Fire

Cooking over a fire is a specialty in my family! Camping or no camping, a fire baked dinner was always a favorite. It was not uncommon for us to go out around dinner time, build a fire in the back yard and cook under the stars and enjoy each other's company! Although very simple meals, they where fun and interactive for the whole family to enjoy.

Some Meals to enjoy;

Hot dogs and kielbasa

What you will need for to cook these two items of food are the following:

1. Obviously you will need Hot dogs and kielbasa, unfrozen cooks faster over the fire that way.

2. A campfire long cooking long metal utensil, for inserting the hot dog or kielbasa onto to put in the fire.

- Or you can go completely redneck like us and sharpen a stick to have sharp end and insert your food on that and get cooking!

3. Whatever condiments you like, ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, etc.. It is your preferences.

4. East it right out of the fire, off the utensil or stick, or enjoy the fire roasted taste on a bread bun.

I would suggest cooking either item until you see it getting nice and round, and the juices are sizzling out!

For the more sophisticated folk;

Sautéed onions peppers, mushrooms, and steak in a frying pan and potatoes baked in the hot embers of your camp fire.

What you will need;

1. Your desired foods and condiments (oil, butter, or cooking spray to grease the pan.)

2. A cast iron frying pan (any store that has camping accessories should have them or direct you in the right direction as to where to purchase one.)

3. A utensil for turning and stirring your food in the pan.

4. Heat proof gloves, so one doesn't burn themselves on the pan

5. Tongs

6. You will also need aluminum foil to wrap your potatoes in before cooking.

7. A metal grate for cooking over the fire, to set your pan on. (A store with camping supplies, should have them, or direct you in the right direction.)

8. A knife to cut into the steak, for your preference on how your steak is prepared, (rare, medium, medium, well, well done, etc.)

Cooking

Get your fire going hot, but don't let the flames get to out of control, or your food will burn. (I shouldn't have to say this, but will!) Apply your metal cooking grate in a desired position BEFORE you get your fire going to hot!) Or if you are skilled enough with being around a fire, put it one when you first get your fire going, but wear your gloves to prevent from getting burnt! It is really your preference on how you do it.

I would suggest wrapping your potato in the foil and placing it at the edge of your fire where your hot embers are about a half hour or so, before you begin cooking your steak.

Cooking your steak and vegetables is really like cooking the same way you would in your own kitchen, but will take a longer or shorter time depending on the temperature and height of your flame. Keep a close eye on your food; keep checking to make sure you do not burn it.

A suggestion for the adults:

Adding a dark beer to the pan while cooking your steak, makes for a great taste, you may also use a wine if preferred. I suggest the beer! You are cooking Redneck style, you might as well eat Redneck style right?

Mountain Pies

Mountain pies are the classic food of camp fire cooking! Fun and easy preparation as well.

What you will need;

Ingredients: (For pizza mountain pie!)

1. A loaf or two of bread, depending on the amount of people, or how much will be consumed; I suggest 2 per person for they are a delicious treat!

2. Pizza sauce (a releasable jar, because you will be outside, you don't to be eating any bugs with your meal!) But, hey if you want the extra protein, then do what you want!

3. Mozzarella shredded cheese

4. If desired pepperoni

5. Mountain pie makers or molds can be purchased at your local store selling camping items.

6. Cooking spray to spray your mountain pie maker to decrease the possibility of your food from sticking.

Preparation:

Lay your mountain pie maker on a flat surface (a table), open it up, Grease the inside, place two pieces of bread on either side, apply y our desired amount of sauce, cheese and meet, close up and put at the edge of fire in the embers. Check every couple of minutes by pulling it out, opening it slightly; if your mountain pie is golden brown it is done, you may cook it longer, as I've said before it is your preference on how your food is prepared. Once done, Open it up the whole way, if your pie did stick it should drop right out onto a plate, if it did you may have to use a utensil to get it out, ( A metal one people, don't use plastic it will melt!) If making another pie right away, please be careful, the maker will be hot!

The Classic: Roasted Marsh mellows and Smores

What you will need:

Marsh mellows- jumbo size

A stick or long metal fire rod, for roasting your marsh mellows.

Gram crackers

Chocolate bar

(My suggestion, a Hershey's chocolate bar)

Roasting the marsh mellows: apply on stick or rod, slowly roast on top of the fire flame, avoid catching on fire, it will burn quick, unless you prefer them burnt!

Be careful taking them off to eat they will be very, very hot!

Making a Smore:

2 gram crackers a piece of chocolate and a roasted marsh mellow.

Lay out the two gram crackers, put the chocolate on one and apply your marsh mellow on top of the chocolate, place the other gram cracker on top and you have a sweet yummy snack for all to enjoy!

Some very simple recipes for you and your family and friends to enjoy while relaxing by a camp fire!