Camp fire special!! Part 1

Writing this post is bittersweet to me. Why, you might ask? Well I left the blog, twitter, and other implements that we use to keep us going in the hands of my trusted contributors 4 days ago. I turned 21 again on the 19th of August and my friends and I decided that we want to celebrate another way rather than just going out and partying. I - a camping newbie to say the least - spent the last 4 days in the wilderness cooking over an open fire, gathering wood, and cutting it down to size with only a hatchet! So what I write here is just 2 of the creations that I came about while camping. I hope you one day will spend a few days out in the woods - hiking, biking, and sleeping on the ground. It's a joy, and relief to disconnect from the world and just be you. This officially marks the end of my summer, and will be moving back to my campus by the end of the week. But don't fear I will stay here! Without further ado, I present to you: Campfire Foil Dinners!

I apologize for not having a picture, my camera was dead.

Here's what you'll need:

• Tinfoil
• Ground Meat
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Onions
• Garlic
• A splash of oil if on hand
• A CAMPFIRE!! (It's kinda important)

Optional:

• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Meat Tenderizer
• Seasoned Salt

First, lets wash the vegetables as best you can, with whatever clean water source you have. Don't worry about peeling anything, we're going rustic here! Spread out a fairly large piece of tinfoil onto your campsite table and if you have a bit of oil lightly grease the bottom. The next thing you will want to do is to grab your ground meat and press it flatly down on the tinfoil, leaving ample room on the edges. Next cut up the all veggies into small almost bite sized chunks and throw those on top of the meat. I unlike other campers had several spices - I mean, common.. I want full flavor! - including onion and garlic powder, meat tenderizer, and seasoned salt. I sprinkled each of those on the meat and veggies along with a bit more oil. I then tried my best to enclose the tinfoil packet with more foil.... After successfully putting 3 pieces of foil around it, I won the battle. I then placed (don't throw like usual it might break) this packet into the hot embers of the fire and let it sit. I fashioned a turning device with sticks and flipped the food every 5 minutes. After several flips, the meat was fully cooked and the veggies were amazingly soft and tender. I had myself a hot, delicious dinner. Cut open that foil, place it on the picnic table, and dig in.
Enjoy!

Pasta Dinner in a Dash!

Don't have much time to cook a meal? In a hurry, on your way out? Or is it just getting too late and want food now?? Well here's a simple recipe that you can make in roughly 20 minutes!

 Here's what you'll need:

• 1 lb of your favorite pasta. (any type works great!)
• 1 jar of your favorite sauce (or pre-prepared sauce.. remember, under 20 minutes!)
• 1 pkg of a ground meat. (I like turkey and chicken because it's healthier.)
• 1 large pot of water
• 1/2 Tbls Onion Powder
• 1/2 Tbls Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Tbl Basil
• 1/2 Tbs Oregano
• Dash of Red Pepper Flakes
• And a Pinch of Salt and Pepper

Directions:
First thing is first, fill the pot with water, and put it on the burner. This WILL take the longest. Now once the pot of water is waiting to boil put a medium sized pan on high heat and let it get hot. Once its relatively hot, chuck in the ground meat, this time I used chicken. I threw onion powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper on it - feel free to add whatever flavors you like! Once you throw the meat in, get your spatula and start breaking apart the meat while mixing in the spices at the same time. Allow meat to cook fully then throw in the jar of sauce in the same hot pan and allow to simmer until the pasta is completely finished. Once your pasta is finished, throw that into a strainer create a bed of pasta on a plate. Turn off the sauce, and place in the middle of your pasta bed.

Enjoy!




The entire meal takes as long as it takes to basically boil water!!
(P.s. That bread, butter and garlic will return at a later post.. So make sure you check back for something awesome!!)


Have picky eaters mom? Use fun animal shaped pasta!

Turkey Taco Salad! Gobble Gobble

Apparently great minds do think a like!! Linzatart and I unknowingly made food last night that was similar in nature

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 pkg  Ground Turkey (or any other type of meat is fine)
• 1 head O'  Lettuce
• Some Onions
• Salsa
• Corn Chips

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You can also use Cheese, and Sourcream.

In a medium sized pan, pour a little oil and heat till hot. Add the ground meat to the pan and cook thoroughly with added spices to your taste. Once the meat is fully cooked, remove from heat and allow to sit.
Prepare the salad by cutting up lettuce, and onions. Once finished cutting, create a bed of lettuce so you can top it off with corn chips. Once the meat has cooled a bit place the meat on top of the corn chip / lettuce bed. Top with salsa, and onions; and enjoy.
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If you decide to use the sour cream, and cheese, top the salsa with the sour cream and cheese, and enjoy
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If you want to add a dressing, a ranch, or blue cheese dressing would have a nice cooling effect if you decide to use a very spicy salsa.