Be Ye Separate

Cooking outside

Blessings!

   I've been asked (and encouraged) to share some of the outside cooking ideas. With summer well upon us I would like to share some of them. As I only have so much time I will share a few now and then over the next few months. I pray everyone enjoys it:)

   As my dear friend and cohort has been kind enough to suggest, I'll start with our French Fries:P

   What she's referring to, actually, is an impromptu BBQ and fryer moment we had a few weeks back. Her husband and mine, decided to "perfect" a batch of frenchfries and it ended up a Fry Feast:)

   As I said before we like to cook most meals outside throughout the summer for various reasons and because it saves on electricity and doesn't heat up the house.

   The French Fries are done in a deep fry pot that sits on a wrought iron frame. It has a gas burner in it and we hook it up to a small propane tank. This is also the fryer we do a whole turkey in when we have the hankerin':)

   We take just about anything potato and throw handfulls into the fry pot. Depending on the oil you use (we use peanut oil, olive oil, corn oil and lard) you will get a slight different flavor to the fries or tots. We do not use vegetable oil because it's not vegetable oil, it's soy. We only use soy in very few receipts.

   Anyway, once the fries are pulled from the hot oil they are drained on paper clothes to pull out as much oil as possible before seasoning. We then try different seasonings to get exactly what we want to taste:) There is a special seasoning that CaraDD and I like in particular that is a smattering of different spices which I think one of the main ones is paprika...Mmmmmm! We sprinkle things like vinegar, garlic powder, montreal seasoning etc. We do these just because at home and it's a favorite for camping:)

   For camping breakfast (and if the children just feel like doing it out in the yard) we do omelletes in a baggy. They are particularly yummy:)

   First, make sure you have your things prepared ahead to make it quicker and easier. We have a bowl for each ingredient. Green onions, cheese, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, salsa, etc. Put a large pot of water on the grill/burner and let the water come to a boil. Place a non-electric wok over this pot (like a double boiler) and let it get hot. Make sure you pay attention to the water level and add more water as needed.

   Give each person a sandwich sized zippered baggy. Crack 3 eggs into the baggy then each person chooses whatever they want in their omelette. Once they have all the ingredients in their baggy, zip it shut and begin to squeeze the baggy until it's all mixed up and looks blended.

   Open the baggy about halfway and lay it in the wok near the edge so as to not allow the baggy to leak. Let it cook. As soon as it looks partially cooked, turn it over and allow the other side to cook. Remove from the wok when you are sure it's cooked thoroughly. Pour it out onto the plate and add some toast or a bagel and yum:)

   Another easy one is to give everyone a lunch sized paper sack. Place 3 pieces of bacon in the bottom of the bag. Crack 2 eggs in the bag, salt and pepper to taste. Close bag up and place bag directly on hot coals. (not fire just coals) You'll hear the bacon sizzle and you can check it now and then till the eggs are cooked as well as you like them. No they won't catch on fire because the grease from the bacon keeps it from happening. Then just tear open the bag, add a bagel or toast and voila! Breakfast!

   We grill steaks or tri-tip and wrap up potatoes in foil and drop them into the hot coals about 45 minutes before putting the meat on. The meat is on for 10-15 minutes (depending on howyou like it cooked) and it all comes off together.

   Along with the meat it's nice to have saute'ed stuff to put on the meat or potato. Put as much butter as you like onto a piece of foil, put sliced mushrooms, onions and minced garlic in it and loosely wrap it and place it on the grill or even on the coals. It will cook it up and be ready when your meat is ready. Open it up and pour it over your meat or potato. A little green salad and yummy meal.

   Something that helps to make it easier when we are camping, is to prepare things before we leave. Cut up all vegetables and bag them. Same with the meats.

   We also use our dutch ovens all the time. We can make soups, stews, meatloaf, breads, pies and just about anything we like in them. They work great for camping. It's like having an outdoor kitchen:)

   I'll write more ideas in the coming weeks. I pray you enjoy these and are able to glean ideas as well as find new ways to feed your families without having to fall back on the burger and dogs that seem to be commonplace when it comes to outdoor cooking:)

   God be with thee!

Sister Lori

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{ 06:34, Wednesday, June 6, 2007 } { Posted by Kitty }

These are great tips, thanks for taking the time to share them with us.
Kitty

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{ 07:15, Wednesday, June 6, 2007 } { Posted by stitchnchick }

Oh, those all sound wonderful! I'll have to try them out. I have several camp style recipes that I may post. One is a recipe for making muffins inside an orange peel! It's so much fun to cook this way. I hope you're having a great week! :o)

Amy