Today, we’ll be talking about meal preparation. Camping trips are memorable because meals are the highlight of every day. I’ll show you how to save half your time in the kitchen while still delivering a delicious meal that will amaze everyone. Pre-planning and prep can help you save time to do the things you want, such as “Camping.” I will soon share a recipe that shows you how to prep pasta. There are two options for meal planning: the ration and the recipe. Today, I’ll be discussing the recipe method. I will be covering the ration method in detail in a subsequent issue. It is much easier to use the recipe method with a small group in a camp setting. You can use the rations method if you have a large group or are mobile.
It is easy and fun to create a menu that revolves around your activities. Sandwiches will work well if you plan to hike. For those who plan to be close to the site, you may be able to afford more extravagant meals. I plan for many situations. This will allow you to be flexible once you reach the site. It doesn’t mean you have to stick to your recipe. Have fun with it, have fun and mix it up.
Once you have your menu created, you can determine the supplies that you will need. Next, you can adjust your menu or your equipment based on your space and weight. Otherwise, creating a menu can be quite difficult. We want to have fun. This method of meal planning allows you to quickly determine the supplies that you will need, without having to calculate your size or weight. While there are many complicated formulas that you can use to plan your meals, these may not be necessary for everyday camping. You can forget to bring something with you, or find it in a nearby store. Although you may be embarrassed at having to spend twice the amount of something’s value, you won’t feel hungry.
Plan your menu with plenty of water, high-energy snacks, and trail foods such as fresh fruit, beef jelly, and granola. Avoid snacking on chips, sodas and cookies unless your goal is to spend the night at the campsite wishing for a TV. Outdoor activities take a lot out of you and require a lot calories. Use the USDA Food Guide Pyramid to plan healthy meals. Be aware that people will have different appetites so plan accordingly. You can visit the USDA site by clicking the link above.