Camping

18 Best Campfire Recipes

Jun 8, 2019 · 1 Comment

If you are going camping soon you are going to want to try one of our 18 Best Campfire Recipes the next time you are ready to enjoy the great outdoors!

Whether you are cooking over an open campfire, your own backyard fire pitt or having a backyard cookout, cooking in the outdoors is fun, rewarding and easy when you have the right tools.

A few of our must have tools for outdoor cooking include:

Kindling, wood, fire starter
Coals
Tongs, spoons
Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
Cast Iron pans or pots
Sturdy paper plates for holding foil dinners
Campfire grate (some come with but you may need to bring your own)
Grill brush
Portable campfire ring

When I was a kid, camping meant heading to the back country and making our own fire pitts. We had no grills, no grates, no portable campfire ring – we had to wing it. Tin foil dinners were our main meals most weekends!

These days when we go camping we are all about easy camping meals although sometimes they can be a little over the top camping feasts!

In this camping recipe round up you will find everything you need to make tasty meals including french toast, foil dinners, mac n cheese – even campfire nachos!

Baked Beans by me (Bakersbeans)

Baked beans are a favourite cowboy cookout staple and delicious add-on to any barbecue or potluck.

Grilled Easy French Toast Skewers by Merry About Town

Up your French Toast game by creating French toast skewers during your next camping adventure.

Foil-Packet Grilled Vegetables by Drugstore Divas

Add a healthy option to your barbecue with these easy peasy foil-packed grilled vegetables.

Campfire Dutch Oven Vegetarian Lasagna by Champagne Tastes

Cooked in a cast iron Dutch oven over a fire, this vegetarian lasagna takes glamping to a whole new level.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus on the Grill by Dancing Through The Rain

If you love bacon, and asparagus, try them together over the campfire. You will be glad you did.

Easy 3 Ingredient Onion Baked Potatoes in Foil by Food Meanderings

Grilled baked potatoes with only three ingredients are seriously what you need at your next campout.

Baked Potatoes In Foil with 3 Ingredients

French Toast Foil Packet by Little Sunny Kitchen

Be the hit of the campground with French toast cooked in foil packets.

Camping Griddle Breakfast Skillet by Cook, Eat, Go

This easy camping breakfast skillet will fill your bellies and give you the energy you need to get you through the day.

Cast-Iron Mac n Cheese by me (Bakersbeans)

Mac n Cheese is a comfort food we all love. Take it to the next level by cooking it over your campfire.

Campfire Stew by 4 Sons “R” Us

Cozy up to the fire with a steaming mug of Campfire stew.

Campfire Nachos by The Live-In Kitchen

Campfire Nachos are a fun vegetarian meal option when cooking outdoors.

Cod, Chorizo and Potato Foil Packets by My Kitchen Love

Combine Cod, Chorizo, and Potatoes for a savoury and zesty baked fish baked in foil packets.

Salsa Verde Baked Salmon in Foil by Whole Food Bellies

Salmon baked in foil with salsa verde keeps the fist moist and perfectly cooked.

Campfire Baked Fish in Foil by Krumpli

Forget the burgers and steak, wow fellow campers by baking a whole fish instead.

Low Carb Chicken Fajitas on Skewers by Low Carb Yum

Fire up the grill for these low carb chicken fajitas on skewers and eat them right off the stick.

Campfire Potatoes au Gratin on the Grill by sip bite go

This easy potato dish is perfect for your next camping trip and can be made in foil or a cast iron pan.

Keto Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans by Yang’s Nourishing Kitchen

We love the simplicity of these bacon wrapped green beans using only 2 ingredients.

Cajun Shrimp & Vegetable Tin Foil Pockets by Nourish

An easy one dish meal with no clean up and no fuss.

Cajun Shrimp & Vegetable Tin Foil Packets

Dublin Coddle

Apr 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment

A Dublin Coddle is a one pot dish originating in Dublin, Ireland. Typically leftover pork sausage, ham, bacon, potatoes and onion are tossed into a heavy pot, topped with stock, covered and baked for a couple hours to blend the flavours and cook the potatoes.

While channel surfing one night, You Gotta Eat Here, the Canadian version of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, caught my eye. The crew and host were filming in Dublin, Ireland and featuring a Chef making a Dublin Coddle. I was very Intrigued, it looked so good. The Chef used ham hock, a couple different pork sausages and bacon. He said pork was the main ingredient and his Dublin Coddle had four variations of pork products.

A Dublin Coddle dates back to the 1700s and is traditionally a dish eaten during the colder months using up leftovers in the fridge. The name ‘coddle’ is most likely derived from caudle, which comes from the French term meaning to boil gently, parboil or stew. Or so the research indicates.

This stew reminds me of another stew I use to make on the stove consisting of smoked sausage, potatoes and carrots. A very simple dish yet the potatoes cooking down in both provide a creaminess to the stew without adding any dairy products. I also use a dark ale, stout or porter in this coddle.

PRO TIPS:

Dark beer adds depth and flavour to slow cooked dishes. A light beer will not offer the same flavour.
Have crusty bread or Irish Soda Bread on hand to mop up the broth.
Great dish to make while camping. Prepare what you can in advance, keep cool until ready to cook in a heavy bottom pot with a lid.

Try this stew on St. Patrick’s Day – our kids loved it! Serve with Irish Soda Bread and beer!

Baked Beans

Sep 15, 2016 · Leave a Comment

We’ve combined pineapple, bacon and maple syrup to make these Baked Beans extraordinary and a hit at your next campfire cookout or back yard BBQ.

Baked beans absorb flavour when they cook so adding aromatics and flavour enhancers to your sauce will surely make your beans a hit.

We like to make a batch of these beans over the campfire when we meet up with friends for our annual campout. They almost taste better the next day served with eggs for breakfast, beside hot dogs for lunch or next to a burger or beef on a bun for dinner.

Easy to make over a campfire and on a camping stove.

Since my mom wasn’t a good cook, my first real experience with baked beans was from my boyfriend’s mom, while we were camping for the weekend at their summer cabin. His mom cooked up a big batch of home made beans for our farewell BBQ as the boys were heading off to college and University in the Fall.

I am pretty sure I still have her since she wrote it out for me all those years ago. Best first baked bean experience ever.

You can add many flavours to your beans, cook them from dried, slow cook them and even these days Instant Pot your beans. We’ve found this recipe is easy to assemble and very popular with our camping families.

Other Bean Recipes

If you like these baked beans, you might enjoy:

This recipe makes enough for a potluck or crowd. Half the recipe if you are making it for 6 or less people. Leftovers taste great the next day.

Invivo Wines Night In

Aug 22, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Spending time in the outdoors is a reminder for us to focus on what’s important and shut off the phones for a little while. It’s a chance to spend one on one time with family & friends in a beautiful setting to experience life while enjoying delicious food and wine. I find cooking in the outdoors very inspiring and love to create new recipes!

This is exactly what we did when we went to Waterton Lakes National Park recently with a couple of friends and their families. It’s been 6-7 years since we last visited Waterton and we were very excited to share the experience together. These are a couple of friends I hang out with regularly during our Moms Who Needs Wine Evening Gatherings. There’s usually a dozen of us at any given time and we either get together at someone’s house, partake in wine tastings or visit a restaurant while getting caught up on each others busy lives. Our trip to Waterton included hiking, camping, fishing, good food & company, lots of fresh air and was exactly what we all needed. Plus it was the perfect setting to try a new wine, Invivo Wines Pinot Noir.

Originating in New Zealand, Invivo Wines was founded in 2007 by old school friends that liked New Zealand Wine so much they started a winery to make some. Now if that isn’t a story after my own heart, and one my friends and I have discussed many times! After the trails and tribulations of running a business, Invivo is proud to announce they are available in 17 countries worldwide and have one of Alberta’s fastest growing Sauvignon Blanc brands. The Pinot Noir is an easy drinking wine and one you don’t have to feel intimidated to try.

The Pinot Noir boasts aromas of cherries, black plum, blackberries and spicy herbal notes. A long finish and bright tannins round out this wine giving it a beautiful taste. We enjoyed our first sip with dinner, then the kids went off to play leaving us to sit around the fire and enjoy the rest of the bottle. We even discovered it pairs well with chocolate as we sampled an Epiphanie chocolate, and a dark chocolate with sea salt and spice.

Last year we discovered a wine called Bella by Invivo, a Sauvignon Blanc that left a lasting memory. I reached out to Invivo on Instagram about where to find it in Calgary and they responded right away with a few options. I haven’t looked for it in 2016, but sure hope the Bella is still available! So far my track record with Invivo wines has been fabulous.

As it’s a sweeter and fruity Pinot Noir we opted to pair it with marinated pork tenderloin for dinner. It would pair nicely with duck, salmon, tuna or chicken.

The nicest thing about this wine, was sharing it with friends!

Find Invivo Wines at these select Calgary locations:

4th Spot Kitchen & Bar
80th & Ivy
Calgary Coop Wines and Spirits
Catch Restaurant
Chateau Lake Louise
Cibo
Craft Cellars
Nixx Neighbourhood Pub
Olympia Liquor Store Group
Scopa Neighbourhood Italian
State & Main
Vintage Chophouse & Tavern
Willow Park Wines and Spirits

Samples of Invivo Wines Pinot Noir were provided for a Night In, however all opinions remain my own.

Cast-Iron Mac n Cheese

Jul 28, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Take your Cast-Iron Mac n Cheese to a whole new level by cooking it on the grill over your campfire.

This campfire mac n cheese doesn’t get the broiler treatment to crisp up the top and give you crunchy bits some of us are used to when eating mac n cheese.

Instead we use a pan over the campfire to toast our bread crumbs before adding on top for extra texture. Once you make this version of mac n cheese, you will want it every time you go camping, it’s really that good.

To save time you can toast your breadcrumbs at home before you leave for camping. Store in a plastic zip up baggie. You should also grate your cheese and store the same way.

This Cast-Iron Mac n Cheese took trail and error a few times to perfect. It curdled, the milk was too cold, and other challenges. We kept at it and it now comes out beautifully.

Leftovers are optional but when there are we heat them up in a buttered pie iron ensuing crunchy bits on both sides.

PRO TIPS:

Toast breadcrumbs in advance
Use whole milk and let warm up first
Any combination of cheese works, grate in advance
Use butter, not margarine
Have patience

If you make it let us know! Share on social media with the hashtag #Bakersbeans.

Grilled Beef Satay

Jun 21, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Beef Satay is the perfect, light summer meal. Use your favourite marinade or try this one the next time you make these. They literally melt in your mouth. Make sure you cut your beef thin and let it marinade for at least an hour or more depending the cut of beef you use.

If you are using a cheaper cut of steak like I did (inside round), ensure you have acid in your marinade to tenderize the steak and let marinate for longer than an hour if you can. With this meal I par-boiled some baby potatoes, let them cool, skewered them and added olive oil, salt and pepper. A few minutes on the grill finished them off.

This is an easy and tasty meal to get your Summer Grilling on!

Greek Pasta Salad

Jun 1, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Back in 2002 I used to play on a local softball slow-pitch team. I was fairly new to Calgary and looking to get out and meet people. The same year I also joined an indoor soccer team and billiards team. It was around then I met my husband, through work of all places, and life was forever changed.

During our ball season, our team did a few weekend tournament camping trips. Let’s be honest. They are beer tournaments and lots of beverages were consumed. Lots of fun though! We planned potluck style meals and it was around this time someone from work introduced me to Club House Pasta Salad Dressing Mix. I was hooked, it was so delicious. So every camping trip that followed I would precook the pasta, store it in a zip lock bag, chop up a bunch of vegetables, store them in a plastic bag, mix up the dressing and keep it in a sealed jar and wrap up some feta as the finishing touches. Always a hit and a salad I make regularly now. Our Greek Pasta Salad was created when leftover Greek salad met pasta using the Club House Pasta Salad Dressing.

Did you know you do not have to rinse your pasta to cool it down? Last year at an event with Canadian Chef Lynn Crawford she made a delicious noodle salad. She advised not to rinse your pasta while letting it cool down – it’s not necessary. Instead lay it out on a cookie sheet and let it cool that way. I’ve been doing this ever since and it works like a charm!

Infused Water

Apr 29, 2016 · Leave a Comment

About four years ago I hosted one of our annual Mom’s Who Needs Wine Evenings. One of the ladies was pregnant so for her I filled a lovely jug with spring water and added cucumber and fresh mint. She loved it so much that when we went camping together that summer it was all she drank! We experimented more in summer with fruit and the kids loved it.

I try to encourage the kids to drink lots of water during the day. We don’t drink much juice here and rarely pop so infusing their water with good stuff encourages them to keep at it, and eat the good stuff!

There are so many combinations of infused waters the variations are endless. Put out a variety of ingredients and let the kids make up their own. It will encourage family bonding time and them to drink the water. We made three infused waters for these photos and re-used water bottles from a local juice store. Mason jars or any other easy to carry and pretty jar with a lid would also be ideal.

In these photos we made three variations. Here’s how we did it.

Gouda and Olive Tapenade Grilled Cheese

Apr 12, 2016 · Leave a Comment

April is National Grilled Cheese Month and that makes me one very happy camper. I grew up eating pretty simple grilled cheese sandwiches made with Kraft singles. As yummy as they were my tastes changed when I hit my twenties and my love for cheese and/or melted cheese exploded. As I aged I started adding new cheese variations to my grilled cheese and then BAM grilled cheese became cool and popular which made me even happier as there were new variations I hadn’t even thought of.

One of my favourite things to do as a teenager was melt cheese in a pan and scoop it out with fresh bread (this was how I fondued). From here I moved on to toasting the bread, pressing it into the melted cheese and this is how I’ve always made my cheese toast. My kids love it and it’s perfect camping where there is no toaster oven.

This inspired me to up my grilled cheese game one day by pressing my grilled cheese into some melting cheese that was left in the pan instead of scooping it out and burning my mouth like I usually would. So I did both sides. Cheese on the inside and crispy cheese on the outside. It was reaaallly good!

Here’s how we do it.

Roasted Poblano Turkey Chili

Mar 12, 2016 · Leave a Comment

We put a spin on traditional chili by making Roasted Poblano Turkey Chili using ground turkey and roasting a few select peppers.

Chili is such a comforting food and one we can change up with the seasons. It’s perfect to take camping, to the cabin or prepare for a gathering.

If you love your chili as much as I do try creating a chili bar putting out all your favourite toppings and offering a variety of chili. When we host a chili bar everyone has the best time trying new flavours and most have never even considered chili toppers. When they try them, they love the options!

If you follow along you know I’m a cook once, eat a couple of times kind of gal. When I cook up a batch of chili I want to have leftovers so I can use them in other dishes.

The next time you make chili cook extra. Use as a topping on baked potatoes, create chili macs in leftover burger buns or make your hot dog chili dog. Dollop some chili into hard taco shells and add your favourite chili toppers or add a little chili to a wrap and roll it up burrito style – you could even add rice.

Ever try chili stuffed in peppers and baked?! I’ve even put some into grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas.

While I love the flavour chili offers, I also enjoy my toppers. They offer new flavour dimensions, textures and take your chili game up a notch. Similar to taco toppings simply prepare a few and put out for your guests to try. My family is getting more adventurous with toppers and in some case demanding. Except one. He still prefers his chili with cheese and that’s it.

PRO TIPS

You are going to get some mild heat from the jalapenos. If you want spicier keep membrane and seeds or add hot pepper flakes or additional jalapenos as toppers.
We use white kidney beans also known as cannellini beans
If you don’t have ancho chili powder, use regular chili powder
This recipe is Gluten-Free

Looking for new chili recipes to love?! Try our Bacon Turkey Chili, Vegetarian Black Bean Chili or Slow Cooker Beef Chili.

Banh Mi Sliders

Feb 28, 2016 · 1 Comment

Making Vietnamese food is simple. Follow along to learn how to make these delicious Banh Mi Sliders.

Vietnamese food is relatively easy to make as long as you have the ingredients on hand. Some of these ingredients are sesame oil (also use in stir-fries), rice wine vinegar (make salad dressings), and fish sauce (good in stir-fries, dips, soups). It’s probable you may only find larger bottles but will most likely use them again.

Vietnamese cooks use a lot of fresh ingredients like tamarind, lime, chiles, green mango, lotus stems and pungent herbs. Find and using fresh herbs (cilantro) in this recipe is key to making this flavour packed meal.

Pro Tips

Make the patties bigger if you prefer manly sized burgers vs sliders. You should get 6-8 burgers out of this recipe.
If you are short on time, don’t worry about pickling the vegetables for this burger. Fresh sliced cucumbers and peeled carrots work just fine.
Sriracha mayo is spicy. Cut back on the sriracha if you don’t like the heat. Or add more if you like it spicy.
Skip the bun and use a lettuce leaf as a cup.
Remember burgers can shrink slightly so making them a little bigger is a good thing.
If you do not eat pork try substituting lamb or beef.

The flavours in the burger stand out so much I had to convince my 8 year old to not add any ketchup to the burger. He did add a little plain mayo and after a few bites he agreed. Then he proceeded to eat 3 sliders for dinner.

Like the flavours in this recipe?! Check out these recipes using fish sauce and pork.

Blueberry Guacamole

Jul 13, 2015 · Leave a Comment

BC Blueberries have arrived in the stores/markets and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s one of my favourite times of the year. Growing up in BC, my mom used to grow all kinds of berries and vegetables plus had several fruit trees in our yard. Enjoying fresh produce like this every Summer was sure a great way to grow up. I’m always giddy when the fresh BC produce arrives in Alberta.

I am excited to be attending the BC Blueberries 2015 Kick Off to the Season Launch in Calgary this week. I always get inspired and want to create new recipes with blueberries when I know this event is coming up and the blueberries arriving in Calgary. This blueberry guacamole happened almost by accident. Eating blueberries along side guacamole and I decided to combine the two into one bite. I was sold, it’s seriously delicious. Even my guacamole loving kid loved the addition of blueberries. I might try fresh cherries next.

Here’s how you do it.

Campfire Baked Brie

Jul 10, 2015 · Leave a Comment

This campfire baked brie is simply delicious. I’m not your average camper where food is concerned. Yes I love smokies, hot dogs, marshmallows, tin foil suppers, and the like. But I like to experiment. Push the limits and see what I can create. Anyone who camps with me knows there will be some tasty bites to try at least once during our trip. Some times the recipes fail, like this past camping trip….I tried a recipe and it burned to a crisp! Win some lose some. One failure, 3 successes. Pretty good odds in my book!

Pick up the largest brie you can find…trust me it goes fast. Bring along your favourite toppers (olives-tapenade , berry compote, sundried tomatoes, fresh fruit, pulled pork, nuts, etc.). Score the top of the brie, add your toppers, wrap in foil and grill carefully for about 10 minutes, turning once. While cooking grill up some sliced baguette or french bread. Winner Winner this could be your dinner. Dinner for one. Or to share. Either way it’s delicious.

Date Energy Bites

Jun 23, 2015 · 2 Comments

We are road trippers and campers. With me being from BC, my family living in SK, my husbands family living in MB and us residing in AB, we’ve toured up and down the 4 Western Provinces extensively over the past 15 years. Definitely time to discover and journey to the East and South into America!

I’ve always tried to pack a small cooler for road trips. Fill them with good stuff like cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, and cut up veggies for the road. I wash & cut up a bunch of fruit, put it into larger portable containers and this helps with any hunger that might set in on a trip alleviating the need to stop at a gas station and buy junk food. The kids just pass the container around until they are satisfied, or it is empty. If your kids love hummus, bring it along as a dip for the veggies.

Depending on how long the trip is I will bring along some home made granola or trail mix, and even prepare some Sammy’s On A Stick for the road, or for when we arrive at our destination. Popping some popcorn the night before and separating it into individual ziplock bags, with some pretzels or m&m’s thrown in is one idea the kids love.

These energy bites were created as another road trip option as they are another quick, tasty & healthy bite that can be made a variety of ways. Bites made with dates are naturally sweetened. Also nut free so the kids can take them to school. So many ways to eat relatively healthy while on the road1

Grilled Citrus Chicken

Jun 10, 2015 · 1 Comment

My kid watches me in the kitchen and has been doing so since she was little. She’s 9, almost 10 going on 14. She’s a true Leo as she was so stubborn during her birth, that after 64 hours of labour, she ended up being escorted out of my belly via emergency C-section. She brings this stubbornness into the kitchen when she bakes. Always wanting to race ahead, and do things her way without reading instructions properly or sitting back to listen & learn. I do love this about her, but it can be challenging.

A couple weeks ago I gave my kids a chicken challenge. Cook any kind of (simple) chicken dish you wanted for supper. Think about it, go through recipe books, or make up a recipe. Hailey’s first idea was to make up a watermelon marinade for the chicken. Since we don’t care for grilled watermelon, and watermelon logged chicken didn’t seem to appeal, I talked her out of it (maybe a mistake?). I could have googled ideas, but I wanted this to be hers. So I suggested she think up something different. She decided on this citrus chicken. Created it entirely on her own. I directed her to the fresh herbs, she smelled & tasted and decided which she wanted to add to the marinade. She loves grilled halloom cheese (from Superstore) and knew she wanted grilled this cheese as part of her meal (she calls it the squeaky cheese), with the grilled chicken placed on top. And her favourite Tabbouleh Salad. I helped with suggesting grilled lemon or lime on top. Her dad did all the grilling.

For the first time we worked together in the kitchen (I helped with the chopping) without any battles. It was flawless and so much fun to watch her follow her vision. And she did an amazing job. While it may not happen again anytime soon, this mom is super proud.

To assemble plate place a little salad on bottom of plate in a circle. Add a slice of grilled halloom cheese. Top with a piece of grilled chicken and if using, grilled lemons or limes.

Teriyaki Pork Burger

Jun 1, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Since we are shying away from beef more and more lately due to the more than 18% price increase, we are buying more pork. And chicken. But those items are getting more expensive to. And the cashiers in the stores are noticing less people buying meat. Guess we will all become vegetarians. But before then we will enjoy these Teriyaki Pork Burgers!

Fresh ginger in this burger makes it taste even more delicious. Use your favourite store bought teriyaki sauce (or home made). Sometimes easy reigns supreme when you have busy activity nights and just need to feed the kids and head out the door stat. These burgers are awesome to whip up, mold into patties, freeze and take camping. Or serve to a crowd.

Toast your buns and add your favourite burger toppers. We served our burgers with some Salsa Baked Beans.

7 Camping Essentials

Feb 16, 2015 · Leave a Comment

While camping is not for everyone, it’s an activity that allows us to be fully immersed in nature, unplug from electronics and the noise of every day life. Our 7 Camping Essentials will help get you started on packing for your camping trip.

Both my husband and I have been camping since we were little, therefore we’ve learned a thing or two along the way.

Camping as kids was easy, our parents did all the work. Camping as young adults – we typically shared the load when packing up and heading out for the weekend. As parents with kids, we now do all the work but we have a good system where each one of us has a task to do – including the kids!

Be Prepared:

The most important start to any camping trip is to create a list. A list for supplies needed, a list of things to pack and a list of meals. Our list always contains the following essential items.

Camping Pie Irons

Our first year together and my then Fiancee, now husband, took me to Rocky Lake camping with his family. His dad and dad’s girlfriend had quite the seasonal campsite set up with two trailers, a deck, garden, decoration and so much more that has grown over the years. One of the most exciting discoveries that summer, pie irons. My life was forever changed. We got some for Christmas and we also purchased our own. Fourteen years later those pie irons are still holding strong.

Use them for making pizzas, warming up leftover stew or chili, grilled cheese, and making pies of course. Leftover mac n cheese is incredibly delicious reheated in a pie iron. There are so many things you can do with a pie iron, all you need is a little creativity!

Extra Blankets or Sleeping Bags

Even in our trailer with the heat on and flannel pyjamas, sometimes when camping in the mountains, it can get chilly at night. Pick up some extra sleeping bags, keep them rolled up and within reach in case anyone needs an extra hug. Old comforters or sheets come in handy. It’s all about the layers and you just never know when a stash of toques and mittens kept in a trailer cubby will come in handy.

Roasting Sticks

There’s just something about being able to cut and widdle your own wiener stick. Since this is not always an option based on where you are camping, we also keep metal ones in the trailer at all times. Metal ones are good for hot dogs and even smokies or sausages. Wood sticks make the best marshmallow sticks since the inside doesn’t heat up like it does with a metal stick. You can also buy these in packages. Whatever the case may be, you can never have to many.

Folding Portable Plastic Table

One of our favourite items is our 4′ – 6′ table set up right outside the door of our trailer. It holds all the things, allows for meal prep to be done without taking up space on the picnic table, cooking utensils to be pass down, is the perfect vessel to prepare your morning coffee, can be used later for lanterns, cocktails or s’more set up. Having a folding picnic table allows us to use the entire picnic table for board games, activities and to eat family style.

Coffee Maker

If you love coffee, you more than likely have your own favourite method for preparing it while camping. Our cousins and my brother bring out an actual coffee maker (glampers ha ha). We went for years using a percolator, but in the end it always ended up so blackened by the fire, the mess was no longer worth it. Even stored in a plastic bag the black soot got everywhere.

Our obsession for the last 6+ years has been a Stainless Steel French Press. Yes you need a kettle, or to boil water which you can do easily enough on the grate of your fire or camp stove. The kettle acts as double duty for hot chocolate or tea. The morning we leave for camping I always grind my beans and store them in a plastic container. Stainless steel travels exceptionally well and it’s pretty easy to clean.

Folding Bamboo Dish Rack

There’s nothing quite like washing your dishes outside in the fresh air. You are camping so why be cooped up in your trailer doing dishes. We do our dishes either on the picnic table or our folding table. Boil the water, add in the dish soap, one for washing, one for rinsing and hello folding bamboo dish rack. They even get to drip dry in the fresh air. It dries without molding, is sturdy, folds up flat, and has a long shelf life. Meaning we’ve had ours for at least 10 years. You can now

buy them with a utensil holder which screams upgrade to me.

Head Lamps

Every changing, head lamps are light weight and powerful lights when you need them. If you are tenting or do not have a toilet inside your trailer, you will want a headlamp for those late nights you have to trek to the outhouse or washroom with or without the kids.

There are times we are camping and want to climb a hill to watch the sunset, or walk down to the beach in the dark for fireworks. The kids enjoy having them to read books before bed. Make sure you bring extra batteries.

While looking at my lists and preparing this post, the kids chimed in to help pick out some essentials we can’t live without when we go camping. We came up with so many essential camping items, there may very well be a Part II & III in the near future. Stay tuned and enjoy exploring the great outdoors!

Bannock on a Stick | Brewers Campground at Gull Lake

Jul 16, 2014 · 2 Comments

Our first camping adventure of the year found us trying a new campground, and it’s a mouthful. Brewer’s Campground & Aspen Beach Provincial Park at Gull Lake, right smack dab in the middle of Alberta. Whew, right. It’s not a long drive for us and but a lovely one through the country side.

The campground itself features several loops, but they do not identify the loops by alphabet like many campgrounds do. Rather just drive to your assigned (number) campsite after checking in, and you’re set. Our campsite was treed and private. But close to the highway and we heard the trucks going by quite frequently. We would return to this campground but next time we will try to get a site away from the highway. Also important to note there are no parks activities for families or kids here (also no amphitheater).

The boardwalk over the marsh at Gull Lake

Aspen beach itself is sandy and the water surprisingly warm for this time of the year. Sometimes these lakes just don’t get enough sun to warm up in time for the beginning of July. The beach is long and shallow making it the perfect beach for minions of all ages.

geocaching at Brewers Campground at Gull Lake — On the trail to find us a Geocache at Gull Lake

The lake has fish. Which includes Walleye and Pike but according to Rob (husband) you have to go into a draw to fish Walleye in Alberta, know which lake your going to, and all kinds of other important stuff before you drop your line. We were not prepared so fishing didn’t happen on this camping adventure.

Aspen Beach at Gull Lake, camping fun — Always a little wet after the rain, but never deters. Aspen Beach at Gull Lake

But there was plenty of other things to do. Like a marsh to inspect, bike trails to ride down, pathways to explore and some geocaching to dive into. Not to mention some delightful camp food to be eaten and of course the beach!

The marsh was alive with all kinds of life. A large beaver dam was viewable as were pelicans. Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere and we saw some baby ducklings! Off in the distance we were able to spot a Great Blue Heron. Other life in this marsh includes frogs, minnows and even muskrat.

Just beyond the marsh, is a picturesque bushed area. Our gps lead us here to find a cache. Besides the mosquitoes, it was serene and a lovely walk through the woods. We found our cache rather quickly and were on our way.

Cooking Bannock over the camp fire — Cooking Bannock over the campfire

The first time I made bannock was in Home Economics class around Grade 9 or so. It was simple, tasty and it’s stayed with me for the past 30 years. Traditional Bannock is made slightly different, sometimes with milk, or baking powder, flattened and cooked in a pan with some oil. This dough recipe is the same one we use to make our Pie Iron Pizzas giving you two snacks in one if you choose.

To ensure your Bannock holds on the stick, make sure you find and carve yourself a good solid, thick roasting stick. The dough will not hold onto a metal roasting stick very well, if even at all. You will need some patience, so if your minions can’t sit still for long (like mine), make sure you are there to step in and take over. Takes about 10 minutes or more to roast the bannock ensuring the inside is cooked.

Best way to serve it is warm, with some butter and jam. Really quite tasty. Another fun way to explore cooking outdoors with the kids.

Adventures with S’mores & Camping at Ol’ MacDonalds Resort

Jun 19, 2014 · 1 Comment

If you can believe it, I never had s’mores growing up. I know right…sheltered. But I did get my share of roasted, sticky, gooey, delicious marshmallows.

The word S’more appears to be derived from the phrase “some more”. According to Wikipedia, the first recorded version of the recipe can be found in the publication Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts of 1927. The exact origin is unclear but the year 1925 pops up.

S'mores while camping — Oreo Cookie S’mores

There are many ways to eat s’mores. And we have definitely experimented a lot over the years. These days it’s just the norm that we don’t go camping without a bucket (yes I said bucket) full of s’mores supplies. My kids are definitely learning there are more to s’mores than crackers, chocolate and marshmallows.

Ol’ MacDonalds Resort near Stettler is a private campground on Buffalo Lake that we’ve been visiting every year for over 6 years. Sometimes we even go twice during camping season, that’s how much we love it. One of our annual treks here is a family outing where there is a huge group that assembles at the end of the summer. For those who do not like to camp in tents or trailers, there are cabins.

Over the years the campground has grown. There are now a minimum of four playgrounds for the kids to enjoy. I say minimum because you never know if they’ve added another one until you return. When the minions tire of the playground you can head over to the Merry Go Round. Best to note it is not a carnival style Merry Go Round, but rather an older, fairly safe version that will set you back a mere .25 cents a ride. You can even try to toss your shoe in a special bucket while you are on the ride to see if can win a free ride. This runs at pre set times during the day.

Merry Go Round at Ol' MacDonalds — We Merry Go Round

After you’ve rode the Merry Go Round head over to the Train Ride. But first stop for a special coffee…YES I said special coffee. I’m sorry, I know..roughing it right? But this is the only campground I know of that has a coffee shop (squeee) and it’s definitely a nice treat. Important to note the train ride also runs at pre scheduled times. This costs I think $1-2 per ride and moms & dads can walk along side to keep on eye on their little train engineers as it weaves through the campground.

Tractor Wagon Rides and the Go Karts should be on your list. The Tractor Wagon Rides are an annual ritual for us. These evening rides have a sign up sheet and it’s best to book your time early. The go karts are truly fun for kids of all ages. Although the wee ones will have to go with an adult rider and some of those hills, let me tell you, some of those hills might take the wind from your sails. It’s great when the kids get old enough to drive their own go karts. These run all day. A petting zoo, arcade and indoor mini golf really do keep the kids entertained.

Go Karts at Ol' MacDonalds Resort — We Go Kart

Buffalo Lake offers a sandy beach where you can walk out into the water for a long time. There is a boat launch and ice cream shack. Cousins of ours have a sailboat and it comes out every year. Around the corner you can drop a line and try fishing. Fantastic tunes, and a sand castle building contest on Saturdays make this beach a great place to spend a couple hours. Or more.

Floatables at Ol' MacDonalds Resort — We bring Floatables

And if that isn’t enough, you can stop into Gramma’s Kitchen for a bite or supply item you might have forgotten. On Saturday’s they have a small market and we’ve even heard some live music in the evenings.

This is a campground you need to book in advance. The beach sites are typically booked up a year in advance. But there are several great campsites all throughout the campground. If you have never been, definitely put it on your bucket list.

Geocaching at Buffalo Lake — We lead part of our group Geocaching

Pie Iron Pizzas | Bow Valley Campground Camping

Jun 8, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Camping season is upon us and as I was making reservations for our summer adventures, I looked back at where we’ve been while considering where we should go this year. We love being able to go camping in Kananaskis, and having the Rocky Mountains so close to where we live. I grew up in BC and I miss the mountains more often than not, so having them a short drive away is very comforting.

We love to have fun with our food when we go camping, and one of our many favourite camping meals on the fire is anything that will go into our pie irons. Pizza is one that tops the list, as the flavour of this pie iron pizza being cooked over an open fire far outweighs that of any oven. Add in some fresh air and everything just tastes better.

Important to note, if you have no interest in making your own pizza dough, buy some!

Bow Valley Campground is a hidden gem nestled within the gateway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. A short hop, skip and jump to Kananaskis and you are suddenly in the beauty of the mountains. We booked our site kind of last minute, and when you do this you never know what kind of campsite you will end up with. As it turns out we got the last one in the loop and it turned out to be a beauty as we had this pathway right next to our campsite and no one ventured near us. It was also not far from the washrooms and as you can see by the photo, gave the kids oodles of space to run around. We’ve definitely been lucky like this on several occasions.

You have to prepare for any kind of weather when you go camping, especially in Alberta. And it rained part of this camping trip. We’ve been fortunate we haven’t encountered several days of rain at a time while camping, just a little bit here & there. One morning we decided to go into Canmore for a couple hours to let the kids burn off some steam. It wasn’t raining in Canmore so we only had the mosquitoes to deal with as we wandered around town and along the boardwalk.

Visiting the boardwalk in Canmore while camping in Bow Valley Campground

It took us less than an hours drive from Calgary to get to the Bow Valley Provincial Park and Bow River Corridor Campgrounds. As a family we were kept busy with all kinds of things to do; from day trips into Canmore & Banff, hiking, biking, fishing, to causal walk-abouts, playgrounds & family fun adventures.

Definitely plan ahead if you want to come and camp here. It’s a very popular family destination and as I mentioned above we lucked out and got one of the last sites, but one of the best.

Enjoying our Pie Iron Pizza Lunch! — Enjoying our Pie Iron Pizza Lunch.

Sausage Tin Foil Dinner | Waterton Lakes National Parks Camping

May 13, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Growing up we used to camp a lot. But it was boring for me. I was the youngest by 7 years and most of the time the only kid for miles. We never went somewhere fun to camp, but instead we drove down winding logging roads for hours to special fishing holes so my dad could settle in for the day(s) and catch a boat load of fish. Or rather as much as he was legally allowed to bring home. I still however, loved being in the outdoors, and camping. Good times.

One of my favourite things to eat as a young child while camping, and a meal we had every time we went camping, was this flavourful sausage tin foil dinner. After mom started the fire and then sat by it watching and stirring the coals once in a while, she would bring out these three neatly folded packages and stick them in the coals. They took about an hour and a half to cook, were carefully monitored and turned regularly to prevent burning. The aroma that came from those packets when opened for dinner was outstanding and I’m surprised there wasn’t wildlife wandering through our camp wanting some dinner for themselves.

Enjoying our Sausage Dinner — Enjoying our Sausage Tin Foil Dinner in Waterton

As I became a teenager we stopped going camping. In my 20’s I started camping again with friends and then eventually my husband and kids. Since kids came along we always seek out family friendly campgrounds where there are tons of things to do. I am grateful my kids love to go camping and explore the great outdoors as much as we do.

Our first camping adventure in Waterton National Park took us to the Waterton Townsite Campground. Both Rob and I prefer a campground that allows some privacy. Located on the South side of town, the Waterton Townsite Campground has no privacy. It’s like a whole bunch of trailers in a mosh pit and a free for all where sometimes the wind can blow your small dog away if you are not careful. They do not allow fire pits, you have to cook your food under the shelter. And they have free roaming mule deer all over the place so if your not careful you can easily step in one of the poop piles. My husband swore one of the deers was stalking him every night he took our dog for a walk before bed.

Wildlife everywhere in Waterton National Parks. Mule Deer here.

The pros of camping in the townsite, well firstly there is nothing quite like live wildlife literally right outside your door. This unto itself is an experience. You are right by the lake which offers fun boat tours. You could bring your canoe or kayaks but beware the wicked wind. The family we were camping with did some windsurfing and yes in case you are wondering, the water is cold so wetsuits are a good idea. If you don’t have kids this might be the perfect spot to camp as you are a short walk into the townsite to explore the shops or grab an ice cream. Or even take in some of the night life.

Waterton Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Peace Park (a symbol of peace and goodwill between Canada and the USA representing cooperation and stewardship with shared resources), and a Biosphere Reserve (a core protected area which is relatively undisturbed). This is the only park in the World that has all 3 of these designations. YA Canada!

Red Rock Canyon Loop. Hiking in Waterton National Parks

Plan to do some hiking while you are there. We managed to get in a couple short hikes, Red Rock Canyon Loop and Blakiston Falls.

I guess in hindsight, my initial exposure to camping at such a young age, regardless of the surroundings, was what caused me to love it so much today. That and the incredible food my parents used to cook over the fire that even included fresh fish, fresh crab and sometimes fresh clams caught in the formerly named Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii).

Little legs get tired quickly, that's why the short hikes worked best for us. — Little legs get tired quickly, that’s why the short hikes worked best for us.

The tradition of the Sausage Tin Foil Dinner has continued over the years, with different sausages, meats, ground burger, and vegetable variations. I love it so much I sometimes make it in the oven during the winter.

May Long Weekend is only a couple days away and with that is camping season! I’m already thinking about camping, prepping the trailer, and the delicious outdoor cooking that goes with it.

Try this simple tin foil dinner with your favourite sausage and veggies and watch it become a family favourite!

Cheese Stuffed Burger

Mar 1, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love a stuffed burger? This simple Cheese Stuffed Burger is a great way to change up burger night with the family. Or friends.

Tried making a version of a stuffed burger last year, following a luscious and tasty outing to Naina’s Kitchen here in Calgary. My burger was nothing to write home about about but Naina’s stuffed burger was the talk of the town. So much so they won the first ever YYC Burger Week, 2013.

The great thing about making a stuffed burger is, well, you can stuff it with anything. A little sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, pesto, any kind of cheese, sundried tomato and olive tapenade, almost anything goes!

As YYC Burger Week 2014 is fast approaching I was bound and determined to make a stuffed burger, again. This time it worked and it worked well. Don’t you find that happens sometimes. You make a recipe and it’s OK. Make it again another time and it just bedazzles.

In this family of four my girl doesn’t like hot dogs or burgers. I know it’s a sin. But she does like quinoa salad and tabbouleh salad so that’s a fair trade in my books. When I was growing up I was forced to eat the food I didn’t like. Tragic. Fortunately it didn’t affect my love for all kinds of food. Now grown up with kids of my own, we don’t follow those same ridiculous rules I grew up with. But we do make amendments. Our kids are required to try one bite of food at each meal, and this night was no different. So she did. And she liked the burger, or so she said. But still wouldn’t eat it. Fair enough, here’s your bowl of tabbouleh salad kid, save some for me.

We had a day or two last week where the weather was decent enough to fire up the grill and slap on some meat. So we called it Burger Night. Or the return of the Bakers Burger Blast. So many burgers, so little time. These burgers tasted so good I think we will be having them again this weekend. Although the weather forecast is dreadfully cold (-39 with the wind chill), and as such, all grilling will happen indoors, on our grill pan.

Boom Shaka Laka…here’s how you make your very own delicious stuffed burger.

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

Feb 20, 2014 · Leave a Comment

This is the perfect recipe for Throwback Thursday. In the 90’s I used to make this Vegetarian Black Bean Chili all the time. It was my favourite chili to eat back in those days, well that and my Mom’s 4 bean chili. Then I met husband (fussy) and our chili nights became variations of meat chili. Now I have no issue with meat chili as there are many ways to make a chili and I love to experiment. But every once and a while there is a smell or memory that comes up and reminds me about this simple but tasty Vegetarian or I guess you could call it Vegan Chili from my younger years.

I love how versatile chili is. Eat it with corn muffins, on a pizza or top a baked potato with a spoonful of chili. Occasionally I pick up some smallish round whole wheat buns, scoop out the insides and serve my chili in a bread bowl. You could even clean out a pepper or half of a zucchini, spoon some chili in and bake it until the pepper or zucchini is just tender but still holding their shape. Chili in Scoops or in a Quesadilla is fun for the kids.

My kids have never tried my vegetarian chili so I decided to tone down the spice so they don’t burn their little mouths. Since I love spice I needed to find a way to add it back in, so I made a quick, fresh jicama and jalapeno salsa as a Chili topper adding both heat and texture.

Things to remember…you can add anything into chili. If you don’t have black beans use kidney beans, red or white, or pinto beans. Omit Ancho Chili powder if you can’t find it. Add mushrooms, leeks, shallots, celery root, or yam to change up the flavour. Or try adding in some cooked quinoa.

Top with your favourite fixings or with a quick jicama and jalapeno salsa (recipe below).

Waffle Cone Fruit Salad

Jan 29, 2014 · 6 Comments

A fun treat for the kids any time of the year. During Winter you may be limited to using whatever fruit is available in your grocery store. I know we definitely are here as certain out of season fruit that has been shipped in from afar, tends to taste bland and not good. In Summer fresh fruit can be found everywhere.

I’ve been making this waffle cone treat for the kids for years. When I make my fruit salad, the only thing I add in sometimes is fresh, thinly sliced mint. I enjoy the full, sweet flavours of the fruit and don’t feel it needs a dressing. I’ve taught my kids to enjoy these simple flavours as well. If you need to have a dressing with your fruit salad, by all means use your favourite. Or even mix in a little yogurt. You can also buy the mini cones and make small versions of this treat for those “mini” hands.

This recipe is incredibly simple and can be used in many ways: great for birthday parties, an alternative to the constant request of “can I have an ice cream cone”, good camping treats, a quick breakfast with a side of yogurt, make it for lunch with some cheese & crackers on the side, add a small dollop of whipping cream on top, make it for game day or bring to a potluck.

But the best part is the kids can be involved in making this enjoyable treat.

Camping

A few of our must have tools for outdoor cooking include:

Baked Beans by me (Bakersbeans)

Grilled Easy French Toast Skewers by Merry About Town

Foil-Packet Grilled Vegetables by Drugstore Divas

Campfire Dutch Oven Vegetarian Lasagna by Champagne Tastes

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus on the Grill by Dancing Through The Rain

Easy 3 Ingredient Onion Baked Potatoes in Foil by Food Meanderings

French Toast Foil Packet by Little Sunny Kitchen

Camping Griddle Breakfast Skillet by Cook, Eat, Go

Cast-Iron Mac n Cheese by me (Bakersbeans)

Campfire Stew by 4 Sons “R” Us

Campfire Nachos by The Live-In Kitchen

Cod, Chorizo and Potato Foil Packets by My Kitchen Love

Salsa Verde Baked Salmon in Foil by Whole Food Bellies

Campfire Baked Fish in Foil by Krumpli

Low Carb Chicken Fajitas on Skewers by Low Carb Yum

Campfire Potatoes au Gratin on the Grill by sip bite go

Keto Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans by Yang’s Nourishing Kitchen

Cajun Shrimp & Vegetable Tin Foil Pockets by Nourish

PRO TIPS:

Other Bean Recipes

PRO TIPS:

PRO TIPS

Pro Tips

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