The summer season welcomes in alternative methods to preparing food. With more time spent outside, it’s prime time for outdoor cooking. Often, that includes firing up the grill for juicy burgers and roasted corn on the cob. Whether you have an electric, charcoal or gas one, that grilling flavor is a trademark of the season.
Perhaps there may be another way to cook up those hot dogs and sweet treats. Regardless if your family goes out camping or just spends an evening outside on the deck, campfires are another great way to bring the cooking outside.
No matter the setting, your company, or how you got the campfire started, it’s a great opportunity to cook up something delicious. And campfires can be for much more than roasting marshmallows.
6 Recipe Ideas for Campfire Cooking
As we celebrate this summertime season, here we share six easy, family-friendly recipe ideas you can try when you light your next campfire.
1. The S’more
Of course, we start off with the standard, traditional treat often associated with campfires. With a roasted marshmallow, two graham crackers and a slice of chocolate, you can instantly create a classic summertime treat that brings you back to bare feet and freedom.
But if you want to amp up that snack, you can add in some extras, too. For example, drizzle on some raspberry balsamic glaze on the graham cracker before assembling for a pop of fruit flavor in your s’more. Or, replace the slice of chocolate with a blood orange brownie to stack on with the marshmallow and graham cracker. With the classic foundation, you can use your creativity to bring a new take on an old treat.
2. Grilled Cheese
Cooking irons are a handy campfire essential that can help you make a variety of recipes outside. Whether your sandwich is sweet, savory, hearty or earthy, this childhood staple can help you make it happen.
After spraying the insides of both the cooking iron, drizzle on the sliced bread some flavorful and herby olive oil like Tuscan Herb or Herbs de Provence. Then, layer on the cheese, add the other oiled bread and roast in the fire until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Amp up your sandwich with extra add-ins like spinach, tomato slices, peppers or even sliced apples. Get creative and make it your own.
3. Roasted Corn
Have you ever tried roasting corn on the grill? With an aluminum foil wrapping, you can also get that flavorful roasted corn taste from your campfire, too!
After husking and rinsing the corn, drizzle on some olive oil like Persian Lime olive oil or Chipotle olive oil to amp up the flavor. Then, wrap it up in aluminum foil and let it cook on the fire coals for about five minutes. Unwrap it and drizzle with more oil and salt if desired.
4. Baked Potato
Like the roasted corn, you can also roast a potato over the fire with just some oil and aluminum foil. Drizzle in some Butter olive oil or another herb-inspired olive oil. Wrap it up in foil and let it cook on the coals for 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your potato. Then, serve it with your favorite toppings for a delicious summertime lunch or dinner.
5. Kebabs
Stack on your favorites like fruits, meats and veggies and roast them over the open flame. These skewered snacks make a perfect appetizer or even a whole meal. If you’re adding meat, be sure to soak your meat in a flavorful marinade, like basil and blueberry for chicken. With so many ways to mix and match flavors and ingredients to skewer on, this outdoor cooking idea can be fun for the whole family.
6. Use Your Cast Iron
If you have a cast iron pan, you’re already on your way to whipping up a delicious lunch, appetizer or dinner that’s easy to prepare, cook, serve and clean up afterward. With a cast iron pan and a grate over your campfire, you can melt cheese over your nachos, heat up a deep-dish pizza or cook up a stir fry with ease.
Cast iron pans make it easy to get that at home, in the kitchen taste while enjoying the great outdoors.
Enjoy the Summer Season with a Campfire
With these staring ideas and inspiration, you can explore your own culinary passions and discover a new family favorite with a campfire, whether out at the campground or just in the backyard.
And with the fresh and vibrant flavors of olive oils and vinegars from Fustini’s, you’ll amp up the traditional campfire recipes to inspire new ideas into your summer season.