With summer finally here after a long, cold winter, it’s time to think about camping. Whether you go with family, friends, or alone, camping is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and a slow way to retreat. If you are going camping to relax, though who wants to deal with complicated food preparation? I can make campfire beef stew, or grill steaks and roast sweet potatoes, but sometimes I’d rather be hiking spend time fishing or relaxing around the fire…not cooking. At times like this, foil lunches do a great job of making a great meal with minimal effort. The best part about cooking on board is that you can run everything before you leave for your trip, making it easy to eat while you’re camping.
What do you need to make a foil package?
1 box of heavy duty aluminum foil (light duty is heavy, it holds up better to fire and tongs)
1 serving of meat per package (can use chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, or even hamburger)
Mixed fresh herbs (like I used potatoes or sweet potatoes, be it carrot, zucchini, cauliflower, onion, peppers; and/or green beans)
A little butter or oil (to keep things from burning)
Salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste.
Preparation:
Cut vegetables and meat into bite-sized pieces.
With several pieces of foil, create a “sula” to put the food in. Make the bag big enough to hold all the ingredients, and all the seams tightly folded so that your dough doesn’t dry out (or be full of ash).
Fill the pouch with meat, vegetables, butter, oil, and seasonings. Seal the bag and stick it in the cooler.
When it comes time to prepare the meal, you can cook it either on gas or on charcoal or on the grill. fire Take a good fire with hard wood, and kindle it with fire to the plums. This is the perfect cooking fire. Place the packet on the cooking surface, and remember to flip the tongs frequently to keep the food from burning.
Cooking time will vary depending on the type and amount of ingredients you use and the heat of your fire, but expect can A good rule of thumb is that when you smell your food, it’s probably done. Double check meats for doneness before eating, consuming undercooked meat, especially chicken, pork, or yard meat, can make you sick.
Once your food is cooked, remove the bundle from the heat using tongs and allow to cool for a while. Carefully open the package (it will be steaming hot inside), and eat your dinner from the package with a fork…not only is it easy to cook, but it is clean to break!
Foil lunches are great because they are quick and easy to prepare and clean after, and the only limit is your imagination. . Mix and match the ingredients to find your favorite layer. These also make great meals for families with picky kids, as each package can be personalized with the food preferences of each family member. . And since there’s nothing in them but meat, fresh veggies, and a little butter or oil, you make these a healthy, hearty alternative to other “live” foods like burgers and hot dogs.
For quick, healthy, tasty meals that you can enjoy at your campsite without sacrificing quality, you can’t beat foil lunches. Enjoy!
