A big part of the excitement around going camping is planning the food. But sometimes we get stuck. If you’re tired of the same old braai dinners and morning oats, spice things up with these super easy budget-friendly camping meal ideas.
Whether you prefer cooking over a fire or with a gas stove, these camping meals are easy to pack for, easy to make, and easy on the budget.
These recipes serve 4
1. Stuffed potatoes in foil
Potatoes are awesome for camping meals because they’re so versatile. These ones are best made on the fire. Naturally, you can chop and change the fillings to suit your taste.
Ingredients
-large potatoes, two per person
-8 tbsp butter
-1 onion
-choice of meat: 200g bacon bits/4 cans of tuna
-250g mushrooms
-mayonnaise
-cheddar cheese, grated
-tin foil
Method
If you use bacon, cook (or saturate if using freeze-dried). Wrap in tin foil and place over medium heat coles until soft. Slice potatoes in half length-wise and scoop out some of the flesh. Coat insides with butter. Generously distribute the fillings combined with scooped-out potato flesh between the potatoes, adding cheese last. Wrap in tin foil. Place over medium-heat coles again for 10 minutes.
Also Read: Holy Guacamole!
2. Deconstructed apple crumble
Dessert should never be left behind, even on the roughest of camping trips.
Ingredients
-2 tbsp butter
-8 apples, peeled
-500g nutty granola
-4 tbsp cinnamon
-4 tbsp sugar
-fresh cream or plain yoghurt
Method
Cook the apples in water until soft (but not mushy). Roast the granola in a pan with butter and sugar over high heat for about 5 min or until crunchy to taste. Remove from heat. Add apples and top with cream or yoghurt. Serve in bowls.
3. Potluck pasta
This is a fun recipe because you can use almost any ingredients, so it’s great to make towards the end of your camping trip with everything that’s still unfinished.
Ingredients
-1kg pasta, any kind
-olive oil
-8 tomatoes, chopped
-500g mushrooms
-1 onion, chopped
-2 cloves of garlic, chopped
-250g fresh cream
-any extra ingredients of choice (bits of leftover braai meat, chicken sosaties or veggies like baby marrow and chopped spinach are tasty options).
Method
Boil the pasta in water with a dash of olive oil. Combine all the other ingredients in a separate pot with cream until thoroughly heated. Add to pasta.
4. Easy-peasy nachos
Nachos are Mexico’s greatest gift to the world. This meal is packed with flavour and if you want to add even more pizzazz, use Doritos instead of authentic nachos.
Ingredients
-Olive oil
-500g nacho (tortilla) chips
-500g beef mince
-2 cans diced tomato and onion mix
-1 can of black beans/beans of choice
-250g pre-made guacamole
-2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
-250ml sour cream
-Sriracha sauce/Tabasco sauce/preferred hot sauce
Method
Cook the mince in a pan. Pour some olive oil into a cast-iron pot. Add the chips to the pot, then layer the mince, tomato-onion mix, beans and hot sauce. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. Add cheese, and keep on low heat until melted. Remove from heat. Add guacamole and sour cream.
5. Savoury breakfast muffins
These five-ingredient quick and easy chicken and cheese egg muffins are the perfect camping brekkie. Bake them at home the evening before your trip. They will last for about three days when kept cold.
Ingredients
-6 eggs
-2 tbsp milk
-salt and pepper
-200g grated mature cheddar
-400g shredded rotisserie chicken meat (skin and bones removed)
Method
Combine the eggs and milk, and whisk in a bowl. Season the egg mixture generously with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, place the cheese and chicken and mix to combine. Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin. Divide the shredded chicken among the muffin cups, followed by the cheese distributed among them. Pour the egg mixture over the chicken and cheese, and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until set.
Picture: Pixabay
ALSO READ: The ultimate guide to self-catering for 10 days in the Kgalagadi
