Camping is a passion shared by many of us mostly through the summer but others will even venture in the cold winter season. Camping is always an adventure as no matter how well you prepare yourself there is bound for something to happen out of the blue and make your trip extraordinary.
Planning Your Camping Food
There are a few points to consider when planning your camping food and they are:
first and foremost, the amount of time you will be gone, you need to consider the fact that you will have a bigger appetite when camping then when you are at home because of the fresh air and exercise.
Quantity is not the answer to extra food but nutrition, so, think in terms of how nutritious the food you are about to pack is and not its quantity. However, while thinking about nutrition don’t ruin your camping pleasures by packing totally boring food with no taste that you don’t particularly like but you just bring it because you think it is good for you to eat.
While some energy bars will be handy now and then, you will also enjoy sitting around the fire camp in the evening cooking a traditional camping meal; so, plan ahead efficiently thinking about nutrition, quality and the fun that you are planning to have while enjoying your camping food.
Packing The Camping Food
Yet another angle that needs your organisation skills is that you need to pack every meal separately and probably mark them as well so that you don’t have to unwrap everything when in search for the meal you have in mind.
If you are placing them in a backpack, place them in the order you think you will eat them so you don’t have to empty your whole back pack to get to the next meal. This is especially important if you are doing some hiking as well and will be carrying all your belonging in the backpack everyday.
Plan At Least One Traditional Camp Meal
Camping is all about enjoying the outdoors and getting away from the hi tech world and daily routine, therefore, indulge and plan in advance at least one specific camping meal that you will make from scratch in order to truly enjoy camping food in the great outdoors.
Camping is a tradition with many families but camping food seems to slowly but steadily loose its touch due to many reasons; don’t loose the charm of camping by going hi tech on the food as well, add some adventure and fun in that department as well, it will be memories well cherished and time well spent.
Camping food tips
Depending on how you plan on getting to your campsite, you will be either carrying your tent, gear and food on your back or arriving in a car. Either way, no matter how much room you have, it never seems to be enough, you always manage to fill it. So below are a few tips on keeping your food space requirements to a minimum. It helps me and hopefully will help you also.
- Individual packets of ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, brown sauce etc. Like the ones you get at your local chip shop or McDonalds. Personally, I just get a couple of extra ones over the course of a few months prior to any trip so I always have plenty.
- Dehydrated foods like pancake mix, cereal, couscous, rice, dried soups and pasta are light, take little room and as long as you have boiling water can provide a quick meal.
- Marshmallows, the obligatory campfire desert
- Bottled water is an absolute must or a portable water filter bottle is also extremely handy if you are wild camping. To provide variety, you can add flavoured mixes to create flavoured water or simply add a tea bag or sachet of coffee.
- Lastly, because I am a clean freak – disposable, biodegradable wipes. You better make sure your hands are clean before you touch my food!
Camping trip tip – Cook your meals the easy way
Spending time in the great outdoors with nature all round me, is one of my favourite things to do. A chance to get out of the city, the car fumes and the noise and breathe deep lungs full of fresh air and forget about my day to day life. However, whilst I enjoy spending time in the countryside surrounded by nature, I also want to be warm, well fed and have some of my creature comforts around me as well. Who wouldn’t?
So, lets take a look at another one of those essentials, cooking.
Camp fires and cooking
Some campsites don’t allow fires so contact the facility ahead of time or check out their website for information. In any case, cooking stoves and heaters designed for the outdoors provide a way of making your camping experience more enjoyable and comfortable.
Camping stoves come in a variety of sizes and features. Choose one that best suits your needs. If you’ll be hiking with your equipment then select one that is lightweight and small; there are ones especially made for backpacking
If you’re planning on driving to your campsite and have a large family then consider a stove with multiple burners. They allow you to cook bigger and multiple dishes. There are even stoves that have a grill for making eggs and pancakes.
Special cookware for camping is made so you can make more than one dish at a time. They’re stackable so you can cook multiple dishes by using the heat from the bottom pot to heat the top one. You can prepare food more quickly and conserve your fuel. Remember to use the smallest pot or pan possible and as little water for boiling food; it will conserve your fuel.
Camping stoves take various kinds of fuels and it usually depends on the manufacturer. Propane, butane or white gas (commonly referred to as Coleman fuel) is commonly used and preferable. Kerosene and unleaded gas is still used but is not preferred since it emits an unpleasant odour and are not as safe. Coleman fuel should be your first choice since it is the safest and burns clean without odour or charring. Propane is pricey and doesn’t burn as hot but it is the cleanest burning fuel.
Fuel canisters come in various sizes and choosing the right size for your needs depends on how much cooking you’ll be doing and for how long you’ll be camping. If you’re hiking with your equipment then stick to a small canister and cook sparingly.
Some campsites provide cooking facilities but it will be more convenient and less burdensome to bring your own cooking source. Planning ahead and bringing a cooking stove will ensure an enjoyable camping trip.
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