OK, not really, but for us, a big part of the ‘camping’ experience is the eating! We tend to take and fix foods different from our everyday home fare. Even though we now fulltime RV, we have found this to still be true.
My favorite foods in the RV are the easy ones that are quick and easy to prepare. They don’t require a lot of ingredients, and you don’t have to remember to make them hours ahead of time. I also like recipes that the kids can help with (quick cure for the boredom blues) – and if it is a recipe that they enjoy, it isn’t long before they have completely taken over making it whether in the sticks & bricks or in the RV. The following are 2 of our favorite snacks whether we are parked, camping, or on the road…
Kettle Corn:
~I LOVE real kettle corn, what I don’t like is the price tag when buying it at a fair or festival! This recipe is the closest I have found to the real thing…
1/2 c. oil
1 c. popcorn kernels
1/2 c. sugar
salt
~This size recipe fills an 8 qt. pan, but is easily adjusted down for smaller sized pots – just remember to use equal amounts of oil and sugar, then twice as much popcorn as oil.
~On high, heat oil and 2 or 3 trial kernels until popped. Add popcorn and sugar, cover, shake pot every few seconds over heat until popcorn is popped. Salt generously.
That’s it. Usually, my just-turned 13 y.o. makes it, and the little ones help measure ingredients; we often make 3 batches 😉 and, since it isn’t greasy, it’s a great treat to whip up and snack on during game nights!
~This is our favorite fruit dip – the kids can make it themselves, and it requires only 3 ingredients!
1 – 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 – 8 oz. jar marshmallow creme
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
~bring cream cheese to room temperature. Mix all ingredients together. Serve with sliced fruit. Refrigerate left-overs (we never have this problem). It keeps in the fridge well, so can be made ahead of time.
~when our family makes it (I should say, when the kids make this – I haven’t had to make it myself for years! LOL!), we use 3 cream cheese, 2 marshmallow creme, plus some cinnamon (never measure), and usually serve with sliced apples, bananas, and/or grapes.
Our family really enjoys camping for extended periods of time. However, since there are 13 of us, this does create some issues with perishable foods; we never have enough room in the fridge/freezer for everything we would normally eat! I tend to look for recipes where the majority of ingredients do not have to be refrigerated, so both of these snacks are great for extended trips!
Involving your children or grandchildren in camp cooking can be very rewarding, and can be a great way to make lasting memories of your outings! Even though camping season may be over for some of us northerners, it is never too early to start planning for next year! So, gather these few simple ingredients and give the snacks a try (then come back and let me know what you think!); you may just find a new favorite treat to take along on your next family camping outing!!!
