Monday, August 8, 2011

Easy Frugal Camping Meal

We went camping for the first time this year a few weekends ago. We had an awesome time. One of our favorite go to camping meals happens to be easy to make and easy on the budget. While I don't know if it is the official name, but we call them hobo meals. Here is how you make them.

First build your fire. You will want a good bed of coals to place the packets in. You don't want a lot of flames or the food will burn.

Take a piece of aluminum foil and in the middle add some stew meat. These are individual meals so everyone can add what ingredients they like. You can use any veggies and seasoning you want. We used cubed potatoes, green peppers and onions all from our garden. Add about a tablespoon of butter on top so nothing sticks to the foil, as well as salt and pepper. Fold into a packet. Place packets into the bed of coals and allow to cook for about 30 minutes or so. Turn the packets over about half way through. Pull one out and check to see if it is done. Once cooked place on plate and enjoy!We don't camp often enough and we really enjoy these meals. I think I will be adding them to the menu plan and try just putting them on the grill!

This post is linked to the Frugal Tuesday Tip hosted here at Learning the Frugal Life.

6 comments:

  1. These packets do very well on the grill. We call them "Camper's Stew", but I like "Hobo Meal" a lot better! We usually make them with sliced onion, potatoes, and peas for a side dish. Sometimes we put ground beef right in the packets too, for a one-packet meal. We usually open the packets at the very end and toss on some cheese. Yum! I was interested in more meals like this and I did an internet search for camping meals, and the one I most want to try has ham, canned sweet potatoes, crushed pineapple and brown sugar. Now I need a snack . . . lol

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  2. We have done this with ground beef - a cheaper option and no cutting required for the kids. You can also make the packets ahead of time at home and they are ready to go when you get to camp. They are absolutely delicious.

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  3. They are wonderful on the grill! We call them foil dinners and a lot of the times I leave the meat out. They taste great with a bunch of veggies. In addition to the butter I add one ice cube to each packet. Just helps with steaming and keeps things from sticking. I have also heard people call them "boyscout casserole". I consider them a summer staple.

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  4. We call ours hobo dinners also, but put hamburgers, carrotts, onion and potatoes in them. You can also bake in the oven during colder months if you're craving them :)

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  5. I remember doing these at our 4-H camp, but my meat never seemed to cook and so now I just make them using veggies and I cook the meat (steak or stew meat) on a stick over the fire.

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  6. Your names are much more creative than mine "Potato Packets" but they have been a big hit with my friends lately at cookouts. Friends can barely wait for them to be done before they are taking them off the grill.

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