Fall Campsite Comfort Foods | What Is On The Menu?

After a long, hot Summer, nothing feels more right than once that slight chill fills the air. The cooler weather is not the only bright side to camping during Fall – Let’s not forget the delicious food!

Close your eyes, picture your camper on one of our pull-through campsites, your fire pit burning firewood, and your family gathered around the picnic table. Now imagine a delicious pot of chili cooking – YUM!

This week, we are giving you the perfect cooking guide when camping during the Fall.

First, let's take a look at the menu: Chili, Skillet Cornbread, Pumpkin Nutella S’mores, and Apple Cider!

How delicious does that menu sound? I know I am hungry just thinking about this!

Menu Item #1 | Chili

Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds of lean ground beef, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped green bell pepper, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 cans red kidney beans, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper

1.    In a dutch oven, combine hamburger meat, the onion and green bell pepper, and the garlic. Continue to cook and stir this mixture until hamburger meat is done, then drain the grease.

2.    Add in remaining ingredients and stir until well mixed.

3.    Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours.

4.    Serve it up, top it off with saltine crackers or shredded cheese, and enjoy!

Menu Item #2 | Skillet Cornbread

Ingredients: ½ cup medium grind cornmeal, ½ cup flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ tablespoon oil

1.    In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.

2.    Add the milk, egg, and honey. Tip: Use a fork to mix these ingredients until fully mixed.

3.    Over your campfire, heat the oil in a cast iron skillet. Be sure to coat the entire bottom of the skillet. Pour the batter into the skillet so that it is in an even layer.

4.    Cover the skillet with tin foil and crimp around the edges or cover the skillet with a lid.

5.    Cook over medium to low heat for 15 minutes, then move the skillet off the heat and let the bread rest while still covered for 5 minutes.

6.    Cut into slices and enjoy!

Menu Item #3 | Pumpkin Nutella S’mores

Ingredients: 1 box of graham crackers, 1 bag of marshmallows, 1 container of pumpkin butter, and 1 container of Nutella

1.    Roast marshmallow over a campfire.

2.    Spread pumpkin butter on one side of one of the graham crackers. On the other graham cracker, spread Nutella on one side.

3.    Sandwich the marshmallow between the graham crackers.

4.    Take a bite and enjoy!

Menu Item #4 | Apple Cider

Ingredients: 2 cups of unfiltered apple juice, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 tablespoons mulling spices, ¼ cup orange juice

1.    Pour apple juice, cinnamon sticks, mulling spices, and orange juice into a pot.

2.    Bring the pot of ingredients to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer the cider for 10 to 15 minutes.

3.    Pour the mixture through a strainer, then pour into glasses, and enjoy!

Until Next Time | Wow! I am ready for these Fall comfort foods. Do you have a campsite-favorite meal that you prepare when staying with us in the Fall? Share it with us! Cheers!