Campsite Meal Planning and Recipe

Hello Again,

Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals are one of the most memorable aspects of any camping trip and if one meal is a disaster you will never hear the end of it. I will show you how to avoid spending half the day in the kitchen and still deliver a meal that will knock their socks off. Pre planning and pre prep are a great way to buy more time for doing what you came for "Camping". Later I will share a recipe that includes a great way to pre cook pasta. There are two methods for meal planning, the ration method and the recipe method. Today I will focus on the recipe method. I will go into depth on the ration method in a later issue. A small group in a camp setting will find the recipe method much easier to implement. If you have a very large group or need to be mobile the ration method is desirable.

An efficient and fun way to plan your menu is to gather up all your favorite recipes and make a daily menu centered around your planned activities not worrying about space or supply restrictions. For example if you are planning some hiking, sandwiches will do the trick. If you plan to stay close to the site you can afford some more elaborate meals. I try to plan for a variety of situations. This allows you to be fixable once you hit the site. You don't have to follow your menu to the tee. Mix it up, be spontaneous and have fun.

Once you have your menu, figure out what supplies you will need, then depending on your space and weight requirements adjust your menu and/or your equipment accordingly. Otherwise just creating the menu can be a real challenge. Our goal here is to have fun. This method for meal planning is an easy way to figure out what supplies you will need without a lot of size and weight calculations. There are plenty of complicated formulas you can use for meal planning and in some circumstance like backpacking or extended trips these are essential, but for the average campsite certainty not necessary. If you forget or overlook something, most campgrounds either have a store on site or within a short driving distance. You might kick yourself for having to spend twice what something is worth but you won't starve.

When planning your menu include plenty of fresh water, high-energy snacks and trail foods like fresh fruit, beef jerky and granola. Stay away from things like chips, soda and cookies unless you plan on sitting around the campsite wishing you had a TV to watch. Outdoor activities require a lot of energy and burn a lot of calories. The best way to plan healthy meals is to use the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid. Keep in mind appetites will be up so plan accordingly. Click on the link above to visit the USDA's site.

Do as much pre planning and pre prep as possible. (Say that 5 times fast) I use a lot of zip lock bags, cutting up and cooking as much as I can before I get to the site. Use a cooler to keep your perishables like milk, condiments and fresh vegetables. I use powdered milk in all my camp recipes because it is convenient to carry and easy to convert your recipe to fresh milk if you have it. I usually use fresh milk for the first few days then go to the powdered milk after we have run out. At least that is the plan. My daughter loves to drink milk and always throws a fit whenever we run out of fresh. I often find myself reentering society in exchange for a little peace and quiet.

The nice thing about the recipe menu planning method is most home recipes can be converted to outdoor recipes with very little effort. This next recipe is a perfect example of something that is equally delicious at home or out on the campsite. Note the pre planning tips that make this a quick fix without compromising on taste.

Campsite Pasta Italiano

7 to 8 oz pasta
4 Tbsp olive or peanut oil
1 lb Italian sausage cut into ½ inch pieces
1 28 oz can Italian Style crushed tomatoes (do not substitute with regular crushed tomatoes)
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese

Do Ahead Tip: Cut sausage before hand and store in a zip lock bag

Do Ahead Tip: Cook the pasta at home as directed on package. Drain and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl add pasta and 2 Tbsp oil. Toss until evenly coated, seal in a zip lock bag and store in cooler until needed.

Do Ahead Tip: Plan several pasta dishes and cook all the pasta at once. Store each portion in a separate bag. Use a permanent marker to write the name of the recipe each bag is intended for.

Before you prepare your meal remove the appropriate pasta bag from the cooler and let it reach room temperature.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet on medium high. Add sausage and brown evenly until cooked through. Drain grease; add crushed tomatoes and garlic powder. Stirring constantly bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Simmer until thickened about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add pasta. Mix well. If your skillet is too small to add the pasta you can mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. The heat of the sauce will reheat the pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve with parmesan Cheese.

Whala! A simple delicious meal whipped up in a flash. Guaranteed to stick to the ribs after a hard days play. Don't forget to leave some room for the S'mores.

Timothy D McBride

I am an avid camper with a passion for the simple life. Growing up in Rural America meant camping and fishing from a young age. This has translated into a passion for providing only the best camping advice and services. As the owner and operator of Camping & Cooking Supplies I strive to provide a tremendous resource for the camping enthusiast. So come and visit us at Camping & Cooking Supplies. See you on the trails.

I am an avid camper with a passion for the simple life. Growing up in Rural America meant camping and fishing from a young age. This has translated into a passion for providing only the best camping advice and services. As the owner and operator of Camping & Cooking Supplies I strive to provide a tremendous resource for the camping enthusiast. So come and visit us at Camping & Cooking Supplies. See you on the trails.

---

Hawaii Snorkeling - An Underwater Paradise

Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More

Taking an Alaskan Cruise ? What to Pack

Packing in general can be a hassle. But when going... Read More

A Retired, Single RVer Travels

For some 30 years I practiced law in Mesa, Arizona.... Read More

A Hiking Guide to Easter Island

Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More

Santa Cruz Church ? the Portuguese Legacy in Bangkok

Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was... Read More

Old Barney -- A Visit to Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More

Traveling To and Around Hawaii, A First-Time Visitors Primer

Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More

Alaska - Brief Travel Guide

WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More

Highpointing: It?s Not Just For Mountaineers

Mount Sunflower, Kansas. Ebright Azimuth, Delaware. Hawkeye Point, Iowa. Hoosier... Read More

10 Tips to Planning Your Dream Road Trip

Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting... Read More

How Are Minerals Formed?

HOW ARE MINERALS FORMED?MINERALS are naturally occuring, inorganic solids, with... Read More

Adventure Travel on Horseback

When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind?... Read More

San Diego Beach Hikes ? Cardiff to Carlsbad

San Diego offers a bevy of interesting hikes. With the... Read More

Visiting Whistler in Summer

It is the end of the season for the year... Read More

Greek Food

A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More

Hiking Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is the most popular park in... Read More

The Classy Way to Do WA

Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More

The Royal Barge Procession ? Splendor on the Chao Phraya River

The Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok, conducted on very rare... Read More

RV Vacations: Ten Tips

Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More

My Five-Ounce Sleeping Bag

Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was... Read More

The Kuan Yin Shrine, Bangkok ? the Goddess of Mercy on the Chao Phraya

The Kuan Yin Shrine in Bangkok is in an old... Read More

Mystic Seaport Captured ? Links to Our Past Guide, Part 3

Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More

Find a Camping Gear Outlet Near You

When you search online for a camping gear outlet you... Read More

Plymouth Plantation and Mayflower ? Links to Our Past Guide, Part 1

Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II ship are major attractions... Read More

Beach Vacation Photo Tips ? Make Your Vacation AND Photos Memorable

Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More

No Artificial Ingredients Indeed

Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am... Read More

San Francisco Beaches

When you are planning a vacation to Maui or Rio... Read More

Navigating on the Mountain, in Water, or in Woods there is an eTrex Unit For You

Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best features... Read More

Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions

A wonderful way to invest in your families' treasure trove... Read More

Comal White Water or More Blue Green

White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is... Read More

River Rafting on the Salmon River

The beautiful Salmon River stretches through over 400 miles of... Read More

Pigeon Forge Campgrounds

Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More

Hawaii Volcano Tour

A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience,... Read More