Camping is a Food Paradise!!!

Sweet Hubbs and I LOVE to camp. We don't do tents anymore (too hard to get up at our young age) but we still know how to enjoy the basics we grew up with when we're in Gods playground. An RV is a bit more of a luxurious trip, so, we make certain we cook out of doors and entertain around a campfire to keep ourselves in check. And I admit, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to have family and friends come out to the campground whenever they can for a great BBQ and some laughs around a glorious fire. Seeing their smiles reflect in the campfires light, hearing the whispered sounds of the nighttime..it's serene and satisfying, a picture only God can paint.
But make no mistake, I still cannot resist cooking my heart out when I'm camping. It's a constant challenge and thrill for me to plan meals and side dishes that create quick change-ups to match the flexibility needed when you're camping. I tell everyone when we're leaving exactly where we'll be and to simply 'come', so I always feel the need to 'have enough' and, to have the ability to store it safely. For me, that requires a bit of thought, what needs to be cooked before we leave home, and what is best done at the campsite. No one should miss having a blast with their family and friends because they have to be in a 'kitchen mode' constantly. It's not necessary and it's such a waste of precious time together to be working to be kitchen bound all the while you're on a camping trip. No, no, no don't do that! Some simple planning, some basic cooking, and you won't miss one bit of the laughter, not even a crackle or pop from that roaring campfire.
A huge must if you are on a "short" camping schedule, like a single weekend...KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! Do yourself a big favor and be sure you have a "rotisserie chicken", or two, or three...you get the picture. You can make your own, which I do if I have time a day or so before we leave, or I also buy a couple at the local market if I'm short on time. Get the chickens you know are freshly cooked and that are NOT seasoned too heavily so you have versatility when using them later, just keep them cold. Trust me, you can turn these little chicks into some happy Chicken Salad, Chicken BBQ, Taco's, Chicken Fajita's, Chicken Hobo's ~ it's an endless list of deliciousness, and, you can feed anyone, anytime, anything from the combo.
Another staple that I have found to be a time saver is pasta. Yes, pasta. I cook it at home, put it in baggies and store it in the fridge or cooler, and later I add some chopped fresh vege's and some Italian salad dressing and you have a "pasta salad". Or you can grill some fresh tomatoes and asparagus and sweet onions and toss it into the pasta for a nice hot pasta dinner (and even add some of your rotisserie chicken), etc.
Of course you can make 'Chili' right over the campfire if you have a grate and a good cast iron pot and a watchful eye. Then grill some hot dogs for Chili Dogs while your at it...roast some corn, melt some butter and set your family and friends down to feast. It's about the memories made, and a few juicy burgers or tender thick steaks, a pan of great baked beans ~ well, you've put some serious love on those plates. So, enjoy your camping time, it doesn't have to be about fuss or hard labor, it simply has to be a choice to see all Gods given us as a sweet chance to share that love.
Camping ~ if you haven't tried it, GO, GO, GO. If you have and DON'T love it, try it again and again until you do!!! And, if you already camp and love it, I'll see you out there somewhere, someday...until then, our campsite is always open.