October 17, 2023 Jack Billings

Wilderness Cooking: Delicious Campfire Recipes for Any Camper | THE SHED KNIVES BLOG #59

Welcome back to The S.K. Blog for edition #59. If you're new here, welcome! Cooking in the great outdoors, especially over a campfire, can be a delightful and rewarding experience. The combination of fresh air and the natural backdrop makes food taste even better. In this edition of The Shed Knives Blog, we will explore the art of wilderness cooking and share some scrumptious campfire recipes that will elevate your outdoor dining adventures. So, grab your favorite campfire gear and let's get cooking!

1. Essential Campfire Cooking Gear

Before we dive into cooking, let's make sure you have the right tools for the job. Here's a list of essential campfire cooking gear:

Campfire Ring or Fire Pit: A safe and designated area for your campfire.
Campfire Cooking Grate: To hold pots, pans, and other cookware.
Cast Iron Skillet: A versatile cookware essential for campfire cooking.
Dutch Oven: Perfect for baking, roasting, and stewing over an open flame.
Aluminum Foil: Essential for wrapping and cooking food parcels.
Long-Handled Tongs and Spatula: For handling food safely over the fire.
Heat-Resistant Gloves: Protect your hands when adjusting cookware.
Firewood and Kindling: The heart of your campfire.
Lighter or Waterproof Matches: To ignite your fire.

You don't need to have everything on this list, but please note that the recipes listed in this blog will be based on this gear setup.

2. Firecraft Fundamentals

Knife featured: 2023 Shed Knives Atlas

Building a fire is a crucial skill for wilderness cooking. Here's a simplified guide to getting your campfire roaring:

Select Dry Firewood: Choose seasoned wood to ensure a clean and hot-burning fire.
Build a Fire Lay: Start with small kindling and gradually add larger logs.
Tinder Bundle: Create a nest of dry leaves, bark, or paper to catch the flame.
Fire Lighting Techniques: Use a lighter, waterproof matches, or firestarter to ignite your tinder bundle.
Maintain the Fire: Continue adding wood gradually, maintaining a balanced flame.

Check out: "PRIMITIVE COOKING: HOW TO PREPARE MEALS WHEN OFF THE GRID | THE SHED KNIVES BLOG #49"

3. Safety First: Campfire Precautions

(Photo Credit: https://wfca.com/articles/campfire-safety-tips/)

Safety should always be your top priority when cooking over a campfire. Here are some important precautions to follow:

Fire Regulations: Check local fire regulations and restrictions.
Clear the Area: Ensure there are no flammable materials near your campfire.
Supervise the Fire: Never leave a campfire unattended.
Extinguish Completely: Put out the fire with water and stir the ashes until cold.
Proper Campfire Extinguishers: Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby.

4. Wilderness Cooking Techniques

Cooking over a campfire requires a bit of finesse. Some key techniques to master include:

Direct Flame Cooking: Skewer food on sticks and cook directly over the flames.
Campfire Grilling: Use a campfire grate to grill meat and vegetables.
Dutch Oven Cooking: Ideal for stews, roasts, and baked dishes.
Foil Packets: Wrap food in aluminum foil and cook in the coals.
Skillet Cooking: Sear, sauté, and fry using a cast iron skillet.

5. Delicious Campfire Recipes

Now, the moment you've been waiting for – mouthwatering campfire recipes!

Campfire Chili

Ingredients:

Ground beef
Onion
Garlic
Bell peppers
Chili beans
Crushed tomatoes
Chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

Brown beef and sauté onions, garlic, and peppers in a skillet.
Add beans, tomatoes, and spices.
Simmer over the fire until the chili thickens.

Skillet-Baked Cornbread

Ingredients:

Cornmeal
Flour
Baking powder
Salt
Buttermilk
Eggs
Butter

Instructions:

Mix dry ingredients, buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter.
Pour into a preheated cast iron skillet.
Bake in the skillet over the campfire coals until golden.

Foil Packet Lemon Herb Salmon

Ingredients:

Salmon fillet
Lemon slices
Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme)
Butter
Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Place salmon on a foil sheet.
Top with lemon, herbs, butter, salt, and pepper.
Seal the packet and cook in the coals until the fish flakes.

Campfire Quesadillas

Ingredients:

Tortillas
Cooked chicken or steak
Black beans
Shredded cheese
Salsa
Choice of seasoning, peppers, etc.

Instructions:

Place tortilla, chicken, beans, cheese, and salsa on another tortilla.
Wrap in foil and cook in the coals until cheese melts.

Dutch Oven Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

Sliced apples
Sugar
Cinnamon
Rolled oats
Flour
Butter

Instructions:

Combine apples, sugar, and cinnamon in the Dutch oven.
Mix oats, flour, and melted butter for the topping.
Bake in the Dutch oven over the campfire or on charcoals until golden and bubbly.

Be sure to have plenty of hot charcoal on both the top and bottom if you are choosing this cooking method.

6. Conclusion

Cooking in the wilderness can be a rewarding and delicious experience with the right equipment, techniques, and recipes. From hearty chili to sweet apple crisp, your campfire cuisine will impress fellow campers and elevate your outdoor experience. Just remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and cook up a storm on your next camping trip. Happy cooking, and may your campfires burn bright and your meals taste even better!

To explore a wide range of high-quality knives, like the entire 2023 Shed Knives Collection, visit the Shed Knives website HERE. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for the next edition of The Shed Knives Blog.

________________________________________________________________

About The Author:

CEO & Founder of Shed Knives, W. Jack Billings

Jack Billings is the 19 year old CEO and Founder of Shed Knives, a rising manufacturer of high-quality fixed blade bushcraft knives. With over 5 years of experience as a knife maker, he has developed a reputation for crafting durable, reliable knives that are designed for outdoor enthusiasts and bushcrafters alike. Jack started making knives at the age of 13 and has been refining his craft ever since.

In addition to his expertise in knife making, Jack has a High School Degree from POLYTECH High School, where he studied Automotive Technology and obtained his ASE Certification. He is also a content creator for Shed Knives and has reached the eyes of over 600,000 people across the world through his work.

When he's not working on knives, Jack enjoys exploring the outdoors and has a passion for bushcraft. He also has a passion for the automotive world and enjoys learning about new technologies and advancements. Additionally, he has a great interest in language and is studying Spanish, German, and Arabic.

Jack's personal mission is to constantly improve himself, his products, and his processes in order to stay ahead of the rapidly changing interests of the knife industry and to surpass the competition. He takes great pride in American manufacturing and is committed to contributing to the growth of the world knife industry through his work.

Support Shed Knives Resources here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/shedknives

S.K. Social Media Links:

➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shed.knives/

➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/official.shed.knives/

➤ Twitter: https://twitter.com/shed_knives

➤ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shedknives/

➤ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shedknives

➤ Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2051230

➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shed-knives/

➤ Telegram: https://t.me/shedknives

➤ The S.K. Blog: https://shedknives.com/blogs/theskblog

➤ Threads: https://threads.net/@shed.knives