Camping & Cooking; Cooking & Camping

Over spring break our family went camping. Our boys missed it so much during the four years we lived in China. Although, we came home twice a year, there never was enough time to camp.

One of the things we discovered right before moving to China was cast iron Dutch oven cooking. A friend taught us how to do it before we moved. We were excited to try it again during this trip five years after the last time! 

We forgot how fun and easy it is! You can cook almost anything using a Dutch oven. We made french toast, biscuits, dinner rolls, chicken, potatoes, vegetables, curry, rice, & cake. Can you believe that?

If you like camping, cooking over a fire or even using briquettes, I strongly recommend giving a Dutch oven a try. You will not be disappointed. I won't go into the details since I am no expert and there are lots of great websites out there with wonderful information. Just google Dutch Oven cooking - you won't be disappointed. 

And the kids just couldn't believe we were cooking our own food over a real campfire.

We didn't cook everything in the dutch oven, however. I made my kids this fun & tasty Banana S'more using a sheet of aluminum foil and the heat from our fire (the last night) & the heat from our white hot briquettes (the first night).

It tastes much better than it looks!

To make a Banana S'more, all you need is a banana, knife, mini chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Of course if you forget your mini-marshmallows like I did, you can cut up your large marshmallows.

Simply slice your banana lengthwise with the skin still on. Gently squeeze the banana from the long ends to get the slit to open slightly.

Stuff the opening with a few mini chocolate chips. Add some mini marshmallows. 

Sprinkle in a few more mini chocolate chips.

Carefully wrap the entire banana in foil.

Then either set your foil-wrapped banana directly on top (or under) the camp fire or bury under white hot coals. Be sure to use a stoker or long tongs especially made for tending fires so you don't burn yourself. 

 

Banana set atop the burning embers under the active fire burning above

Wait 5 or 10 minutes. Remove the Banana S'more from the fire.

 

 

Banana totally buried under white hot charcoal

 

Let cool a few minutes. Carefully unwrap the foil. Your Banana S'more should be cooked through, chocolate and marshmallows melted.

Using a spoon - dig in! Scopping, the insides out and eating like a dessert.

ENJOY!

The next time you go camping, I hope you will give this easy, fun & tasty recipe a try.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

On Nihao, Cupcake! Blog this week:

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Comments

[Louise]

I've never heard of a dutch oven - will have to check this out for our next camping trip. the smores look good x

[Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie]

Look for a cast iron dutch oven and be sure to season it properly (lots of info on the web and in the instructions that come with the oven). Once you get the oven hot, it works really well. And it is fun. Let me know if you try it out, I'd love to hear how it goes.