Beginner camping - what to cook?

[mattkime]

I've signed up for an overnight (single, one) bike camping trip with my four year old son. I have food security issues in these circumstances. While I have a lot of experience hiking and cycling, those events usually dump me in a location near unlimited quantities of food. The woods is not such a place.

[Sarcany]

Hit REI.

Lots of "just add water" stuff and lightweight freeze-dried food for a backup.

I bring astronaut ice cream sandwiches sometimes. Can't get too pissed when something goes wrong if you have a sweet treat at the end.

[Dennis S]

mattkime wrote:
I've signed up for an overnight (single, one) bike camping trip with my four year old son. I have food security issues in these circumstances. While I have a lot of experience hiking and cycling, those events usually dump me in a location near unlimited quantities of food. The woods is not such a place.

Whatever you eat will taste wonderful while camping. Vienna sausage, spam, it doesn't matter.

[Bo]

Mac and cheese or roast hot dogs over a campfire...basic stuff your son will enjoy

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Costco sometimes sells a big box of freeze dried meals from Mountain House. Pretty decent for short term camping or power outages but the meal packet sizes don't always match your hunger if you are expending a lot of calories. Buy some to try out ahead of time so you are comfortable that you have enough.

[Dennis S]

When I was a kid, mom would dig a hole and put coals in it. Then she would put a foil wrapped potato on the coals. I don't remember if she covered it all up or not.

[btfc]

These Knorr packets make a good base, and come in a variety of flavors:

https://www.amazon.com/Knorr-Pasta-Sides...T4ZS?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B06VX3T4ZS

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071CYGXY..._0?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Add cheese, canned tuna, chicken, or ham, chopped carrots, onions, broccoli florets, etc.


Also dried fruit, bagels and cream cheese, quesadillas, chocolate.

[testcase]

"Whatever you eat will taste wonderful while camping. Vienna sausage, spam, it doesn't matter."

:agree:

Non perishable foods that don't require refrigeration include things like pouches of tuna (or salmon). Crackers with peanut butter and / or cheese spread. Energy and / or breakfast bars. A thermos with hot chocolate (or even just hot water and whatever flavored powder(s) / dried soups you like). Bags of chips / popcorn / nuts are all good (and easy). Beef or bacon jerky, yumm! Packaging for all of the above (except the thermos) will easily compress / compact for easy "leave no trace" carry out. If you bring plastic bottles, once emptied, can be compressed too (screw the caps back on to keep them compressed).

I wish you and your son an AWESOME time with great weather! :boink:

[btfc]

Pre-cooked bacon:

https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/fully-cooked-bacon

[Thrift Store Scott]

Dennis S wrote:
[quote=mattkime]
I've signed up for an overnight (single, one) bike camping trip with my four year old son. I have food security issues in these circumstances. While I have a lot of experience hiking and cycling, those events usually dump me in a location near unlimited quantities of food. The woods is not such a place.

Whatever you eat will taste wonderful while camping. Vienna sausage, spam, it doesn't matter.
^ This. For me growing up, camping was the "different set of rules" time where food was concerned and I got to eat stuff my parents would normally never serve such as the aforementioned plus:

Deviled Ham

Beef (or Turkey) Jerky

Cheese-In-A-Can

Better-quality crackers like Triscuits or Ritz instead of regular Saltines

Slim Jims/RTE sausages

Basically anything greasy and/or salty that requires no refrigeration is fair game for a camping trip.

Although I didn't like them then and still don't like them now, stinky canned fish like sardines and smoked oysters are a possibility as well if you think your son might like them.

Almost forgot- Dip-style Doritos and Frito-Lay Bean Dip... YUM!