Campfire Cooking
We love wine all the ways, but right now we're hungry, so we want it with food. And cooking over the fire happens to be one of our favorite parts about enjoying the great outdoors. So, let's pair that wine with food in our camping kitchen. What are you waiting for? Grab your glass, start your fire & let's get sipping - I mean cooking!
1. Camping Kitchen Necessities
It doesn't need to be fancy. In fact, simple is better here! But there are a few versatile tools that we find super handy when cooking out in the woods.
Cast Iron Pan: A standard size will do here. This covers everything from boiling water or cooking up some bacon & eggs to roasted chicken, baking brownies and more! We haven't tested them all, but Food & Wine has. So, here's a link to discovering some of the best brands out there... take your pick: The 6 Best Cast Iron Pans.
Cooking Utensil Kit: Again, something simple here. You could buy a pre-made one for a grill or put together your own with some beat up utensils from your own kitchen. I recommend a long pair of tongs, long-handed spatula, wooden spoon & a heat-safe grill glove along with my absolute favorite tool, the Pot Gripper.
2. Explore Recipes & Map Your Ingredients
Some recipes require a little prep work before you head out into the wilderness, but depending what you're in the mood for while you're off the grid, it can be worth it. I like to find a few recipes that share ingredients so I don't have to overstock and pack my cooler accordingly. For example if I am planning to make some meat on night 2 or 3 of the trip, I'll pack my cooler with the meat frozen so it stays fresh longer (and doubles as an extra ice pack). Bonus points for finding a recipe that your leftovers can shine in the next day (frittata anyone)? Getting some of the time-consuming prep out of the way before you depart (think diced veggies, pre-made sauce or pesto, skewered kabobs etc.) will make meal-time faster, allowing you more time to relax in front of the fire with a full belly - and a full glass!
If you're new to this or you've done it 1000x but want some fresh ideas for meals while camping, check out this recipe book I love by long-time friends, bloggers (and lovers of food + the outdoors) Mai-Yan Kwan, Emily Nielso & Aimee Trudeau: Dirty Gourmet.
Our owner Susie gave it to me a few years ago and it is one of the best gifts I've ever gotten - she knows me well. I pick at least one new recipe to try every trip; if you're anything like me, the meals you cook while camping are just as exciting as the adventures (so you get it).
If you are ready to step your game up with some more elevated dishes while you're out there, check out another great read by traveling Chef Adam Glick: Live Free, Eat Well.
3. Pair Wine With Your Meal (And Your Adventure)
Pack a bottle (or a few) in your cooler. I like to pack a variety to go with some of the meals we are preparing - a nice red for our steak skewers, a crispy white for veggie, fish or chicken dishes & dare I toss in some bubbly for morning mimosas? A dry rosé for the canoe? I dare. Remember, this is camping. If there's any time to throw out the "rules" about wine and food, it's now. You should drink what you like, but don't be afraid to try something new. Much like the outdoors, wine is about exploration, too.
Pro-Tip pack your High Camp Flask to keep your wine cold and have your glasses at the ready for sipping whether you choose to do it by the fire, on the water or at the summit. Canned wine or cocktails are also great to toss in the cooler or your backpack for a long day out on the water or the trail... Wine and adventure go hand-in-hand!
