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Friday, May 9, 2025

What Animals Are Worth Growing For Meat Production

When disaster strikes, grocery stores won’t stay stocked forever. If you’re serious about long-term survival, you need a steady supply of protein. And that means raising your own meat. But […]

The post What Animals Are Worth Growing For Meat Production appeared first on Survivopedia.



from Survivopedia

Why You Should Bury A Barrel In Your Backyard

The backyard of the average suburban home is an open space that is sitting there begging to be used for prepping. One such way you can utilize your backyards for prepping and survival is to bury barrels in them. But why would anyone want to bury a barrel in their backyard? There are several reasons […]

The post Why You Should Bury A Barrel In Your Backyard appeared first on Ask a Prepper.



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Thursday, May 8, 2025

Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely

Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely

Today, I want to share my tips on storing food safely. I’m very concerned with what I see on Facebook and many blogs concerning food safety. Here’s the deal: We can’t afford to waste our precious dollars on the goods we buy to feed our family if we can’t store them properly.

You may have a different opinion, and I respect that. I have been canning food for over 50 years, and even so, Mark and I went several years ago to get our Master Canning Preserver Certificates.

Things change, and canning has had to change because food grown now is less acidic. Therefore, we have to adjust our canning habits. If you missed this post, please read it: Four Things That Are Not Safe To Can At Home.

My tips are easy to follow and will save you money in the long run. You have probably heard me say, “Buy right the first time.” To help you understand and deal with the necessary changes, I will walk you through my journey of storing food, and I’ve been doing it for 56 years.

I have been married for 56 years and have always had food storage. Some years were leaner than others, but I have always had food.

My mother taught me to make bread and to cook from scratch. Those are two valuable skills, and I appreciate the sewing skill that she taught me. If you have taught your family these skills and more, I applaud you. I do because you have taught them to be self-reliant.

Today I’m only talking about food, not water. You know my thoughts on storing water, please store at least 4 gallons per person daily. You may think that is way too much. It’s not, trust me on that one.

Food Storage Hall

Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely

Shelving

When Mark and I were first married, we built some shelves ourselves. We were newbies, but we knew we needed to store food. We bought brackets, metal strips, and shelving.

Then, in our next home, we built shelves attached to the two-by-four studs in the basement. Those were perfect because I could see all the jars lined up that we had bottled. They were super strong and held up very well.

Fast-forward to now, and we have downsized to a much smaller home in Southern Utah. This house was perfect for the two of us and our two puppies. We even had room for guests. Thankfully, our family didn’t mind sleeping with buckets of wheat in the guest bedroom.

To stock our #10 cans, we purchased shelving from Costco online. The shelves in the store are not as sturdy. These are the ones I bought (then I added plastic sheets on the shelves) at Costco: Trinity 6-Tier Wire Shelving with Wheels.

We had wheels so we could move them easily if necessary. Those are 4-foot Bungee cords from Home Depot holding my cans in case of an earthquake.

Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely

Updated: Our Home in Northern Utah

As you know, we have moved up north to be closer to family and friends. We now have a home that is 1000 square feet. This was trickier to store our food storage and emergency preps. I have had to let go of some things because of my oxygen issues.

We had custom shelves built to accommodate most of our food storage. They were supposed to be 2 feet deep, but the builder didn’t hear that somewhere along the line, so it is what it is.

Food Storage Pantry Hall

Buckets/Gamma Lids

This is how I store my Lehi Mills hard white wheat. I only buy wheat from them because they clean it at least six times, whereas most companies only clean their wheat two times.

My wheat grinders are pricey, so I can’t risk running cheap wheat through them. These Lehi Mills buckets are 6-gallon in size.

I store all my white bread flour and wheat with Red Gamma Lids. Everything in my house is color-coded.

I admit I may be a perfectionist—yep, I own it. I don’t put oxygen absorbers in my wheat and never use Mylar bags. I also don’t live where it is humid.

The wheat comes in these buckets, and I replace some lids with Red Gamma Lids. I pour the newer wheat into the buckets with the Red Lids, which is how I keep track of the freshest wheat.

Wheat-Hard White Wheat

Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely

Containers

I love to buy Rubbermaid 8-quart and 12-quart commercial containers, like the ones below. They are airtight, and the lids are easy to remove and put back on. I use them because we used to live in the desert, and we had critters.

Yes, I have bug spray monthly; I have to. But I only spray the perimeter of my house. Mark and I can sleep at night knowing our food is protected from pests outside.

Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely

Canning Jars

These are mason jars made by Ball and Kerr. It’s been an easier year to get canning supplies, including lids, water bath canners, and pressure canners. Please note: Be careful what you read on the internet.

It is not SAFE to oven-can any food. The jars are not designed to have DRY HEAT, they may EXPLODE. In case you missed this post, Four Things That Are Not Safe To Can At Home

Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely

FoodSaver

FoodSavers are fantastic for food storage. I don’t use oxygen absorbers when I place food in my mason jars when using the FoodSaver Jar Sealer. I did call FoodSaver, and they said the old-style accessory hose is going away. It only works with the V2000 or V3000 series. The new accessory hose is now green and black, which is why people were having trouble getting the old style hose. The picture below shows what the old style looks like. Now we can use the Dicorain! Thanks to Ray for telling us about it.

Food Saver

Now we can use the Dicorain! Thanks to Ray for telling us about it.

Dicorain Box With Contents

Long-Term Food Storage

My suggestion to all is to start with small cans of food, and when you have extra money, buy some commercially processed Freeze-Dried food in #10 cans with a shelf-life of at least 25 years stored inside your home.

Please buy one #10 can a month. Since the prices have skyrocketed this year, I advise waiting until they are not so high to continue your long-term food storage efforts. Here is a post you should read: Canned Foods I Highly Recommend You Store (these are short-term). Another option is to sign up for their newsletters and watch for discounts.

Dehydrating Food

Having a dehydrator is awesome for dehydrating your food. Mark and I took classes to get our USDA Master Canning and Preserving Certificate. We have both been canning together for 56 years or so.

But I wanted to know if there were changes in the canning world. Yes, indeed, there are changes. Our food has changed. It’s less acidic, so we have to make a few changes to our old canning ways.

We learned in class that the food we water bath, pressure can, or dehydrate ourselves has a shelf-life of one year. Yes, I have eaten some home-canned peaches that are 2-3 years old.

I get it. But it’s best if used within one year. So there you have it.

I have an Excalibur Dehydrator, but I have friends who have a Nesco and love theirs. Please get one that fits your budget. You will never waste food again. You can dehydrate leftover fruits and vegetables for snacks or soups.

Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely

Food Storage Types

Freeze-Dried Food:

Let me explain freeze-dried food in a nutshell. The first step is freezing, followed by placing the frozen food in a vacuum chamber under low heat.

The third step starts when the frozen water crystals evaporate directly from ice to vapor, a process called sublimation.

What’s nice about freeze-dried food is that, depending on the manufacturer, it generally lasts longer in your storage stash. Please always look at the cans and see the shelf life listed.

You can eat the food directly out of the can, so meal preparation uses much less fuel. Freeze-dried foods usually have an open shelf life of 1-2 years.

Again, please look at the #10 can or the manufacturing company’s website for details.

Pros: You can eat it right out of the can. It uses less fuel because we can get by on most foods without cooking them. The bonus is that it has a longer shelf life than dehydrated food.

Cons: It’s more expensive.

Dehydrated Food:

Okay, most of us purchase dehydrated food every day. We buy cereal, spices, pasta, beans, baking mixes, etc. Dehydration is the process of removing water from the products.

The water is slowly removed from the food without actually cooking it. This is one of the most affordable, lightweight, and compact ways to purchase food for storage or everyday cooking.

We need to be aware of the term “dehydrated.” It generally takes longer to cook. Most items can’t just be “eaten” right out of the can—they’re too hard. This is fine for soups, stews, etc.

We must remember that dehydrated food does not typically last as long as freeze-dried food. Dehydrated food usually has a 5-8 year shelf life, while freeze-dried food usually has an OPEN shelf life of 6 months to 1 year. Please read the information provided by the companies you purchase from or produce the food.

Pros: It costs a lot less money.

Cons: It uses fuel to cook it and has a much shorter shelf life.

Mylar Bags/Oxygen Absorbers

I must set the record straight about not using Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. About 12 years ago, I dry-canned food from a local church cannery in Salt Lake City, Utah, in #10 cans. Mark and I purchased the food there and were handed Oxygen absorbers. It was the first and last time I ever did this.

My daughter came, and we were all working together. Our mistake was that the volunteers at the cannery had zero experience using oxygen absorbers.

We dry-canned beans (full of large, inferior-quality rocks), dehydrated onions, carrots, and celery, and were so excited to be getting the food cheaper than, say, a commercial company.

Our problem was that the oxygen absorbers were open, warm, and used, so they would not work.

We were newbies and had no idea what we were doing. One year later, my daughter called and said, “Mom, I think these carrots are rancid.” So I opened my cans, one after another.

Yes, indeed, we wasted $1,200.00 on food we had planned to use for our entire family to have some food storage. All of the food had to be trashed.

At the time, I was teaching classes at Honeyville Grain in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company offered free courses to show people how to cook with food storage, and many outstanding teachers came and shared their expertise.

On one of the days I was teaching, an expert on oxygen absorbers was also teaching. What I learned that day changed my view forever on oxygen absorbers and Mylar bags.

There is a margin of error that can’t be missed when combining ounces of food with the different sizes of oxygen absorber cc’s. You don’t just throw an oxygen absorber into a Mylar bag or #10 can without first calculating the exact number (or more to be safe) of cc’s per ounce for the TYPE of food you put into #10 cans or Mylar bags.

MISTAKES can and will be made. This means different foods use different cc’s. Please be careful, or you may become sick from your processed food.

Storing Food Long Term

Final Word

I hope you enjoyed today’s post on how to store food safely. We must stock food to keep our families safe. My gut tells me that there are still families out there that are not doing what they should be for one reason or another.

Do they love standing in line at the city and county buildings to get food after a disaster? Maybe they think the government will deliver food to their homes after a major disaster, I don’t know.

I have heard from local church leaders in my Southern Utah area that less than 10% of people are prepared to take care of their families after a disaster. Some leaders have asked me to come and teach some of the mothers in their congregation how to cook.

It was hard for me to say no because I love helping others. But I was surprised that in a congregation of 350-500, no one was close by to teach others to cook from scratch.

One leader sent me an email and asked, “How do I light the fire under these families in her church so they’ll be better prepared?” Wow, all I can say is, wow.

I feel like shouting from my rooftop, “People, get your act together!” Of course, I know several families in each area will be able to take care of themselves. At least I hope so. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Various Fruits and Vegetables that have been Canned at Home AdobeStock_211841782 By Pamela_D_Mcadams

The post Tips On Storing Food Storage Safely appeared first on Food Storage Moms.



from Food Storage Moms

10 Ways to Hide Your Survival Garden

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

10 Ways to Hide Your Survival Garden

In a long-term disaster, your food storage will only last so long. Eventually you're going to run out. But even if you don't, you'll be eating food that isn't very nutritious. That's why it's a good idea to have a survival garden. It will give you more food to eat, and it will make a great nutritional supplement to your food storage.

The problem is, if things are so bad that you're relying on a survival garden, then there are probably a lot of hungry people out there. People who wouldn't think twice about harvesting all your food while you sleep.

It's not hard to identify a garden: Plants in straight rows, usually with bare soil or mulch between them, and paths leading to it. This means you need a survival garden that either doesn't look like a garden or is completely hidden from sight. The good news is there are several methods for doing this.

Before we cover the methods, let's talk about the content of your survival garden. In a SHTF scenario, annuals will grow out. And unless you save your own seeds, the seeds will run out. If you want annuals, plant ones that will self-seed and take over open or normally grassy areas.

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Orach, spinach, some lettuces, and some edible flowers will turn a grassy yard into an edible meadow in short order. Leave the dandelions in, too, and add a few small fruit-bearing plants if you want. All this is part of what's called an edible landscape.

Perennials, however, should be the mainstay of your survival garden. Thorny plants are particularly beneficial around the outside of plantings. No one's going to push past a thick barrier of hawthorn, especially if the area under the hawthorn is covered in stinging nettles.

Hawthorn is a useful herb tree, while nettles are edible when young, and you can get fiber from the older stalks. I would recommend using stinging nettles more than poison ivy or poison sumac as it's much easier to treat a nettle sting than a poison ivy rash.

All of the following methods can vary in size depending on how much land you have to work with and how well the plants do in your growing zone. Now on to the list.

1. Indoor Gardening

If you're in a crowded urban area or a neighborhood with very small yards, an indoor garden is probably the best way for you to keep your survival garden hidden. Cover any windows facing your garden with slightly opaque plastic to prevent prying eyes from spying your food. Paint walls white or reflective to provide adequate lighting, and use full spectrum grow lights as well as outside light.

Have fans and vents to keep a steady supply of fresh air and mimic natural wind. If you can't have vents to the outside, try growing mushrooms as well as plants because mushrooms produce a lot of carbon dioxide which the plants need. Hydroponic growing may also help you to use your space efficiently.

2. Nobody here but us… roses?

Most people, in cities at least, do not recognize flowers as food. So plant roses. Climbing roses left to trail over the ground can make a thorny barrier that will protect your ground growing perennials (for example, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, and herbs) from detection.

Hedge-type roses, on the other hand, can provide shade to shade-loving perennials and yummy flowers and rose hips (a great source of vitamin C) for you, too. You can also plant other edible flowers, or flowers that produce edible seeds, as part of your planting. Beans and peas can grow up sturdy bushes and flower stalks as easily as up a trellis.

You can also mix in herbs like lavender, thyme, and basil among flowers to add fragrance and further mask edible plants. Many herbs have flowers that blend in seamlessly and even repel pests or curious foragers.

3. Spread It Out

People think of gardens as places where plants are laid out in nice, even rows. Let's mess that up. Instead of a row of four or six tomato plants, drop the plants throughout your growing area. One tomato over there, another in the middle of a bunch of orach or herbs, and so on.

The less your garden looks like a conventional garden, the better. Companion planting gets a bit of a different meaning here. Who would suspect strawberries of hiding among asparagus plants? Who would think this forest of random leafy stalks and thick ground cover would be hiding corn, beans, and squash?

4. Plant Mini Forests

If you have land, anywhere from half an acre and up, you can plant mini survival garden forests on different parts of your land. These mini forests should be planted in a circular pattern with a food-producing tree at the center. A nut or non-obvious fruit works best.

Around the tree you can plant shade-loving edible perennials. And around those you can plant bushes, preferably the kind with thorns. Around those bushes and outward you can plant lower growing, sun-loving perennials and herbs blended together.

On the very outside of the circle you can plant thorny vines, stinging nettles, or any other plant that would deter intruders. As long as there's no obvious path to and from these little forests, there will be no indication to passersby by that they're a source of food.

5. Use Permaculture

Permaculture similar to the mini forest method. Just plant perennials in thick groups or in a section of built-up organic matter (logs and branches stuffed with hay and straw, covered in manure, and buried in a thick layer of soil).

This type of bed works best with perennials, including some trees, and the organic matter within the bed helps retain water and reduce the need for numerous visits. As the planting degrades, it looks like a mound of soil and the plants on it look more like random plants than a garden bed.

6. Plant Not-So-Obvious Plants

Most people know, or can at least guess, what a tomato or pumpkin plant looks like. They may not, however, know what a lemon cucumber looks like, or what certain unusual looking squashes are. Obvious plants should be planted near the center of your property, out of sight of the average passerby. Less obvious plants, however, can grace areas slightly closer to the edges.

Heirloom plants, with unusual coloration or growth patterns, are good options for this. And they will also grow true to seed, so you can save your own, too. Root crops are also highly recommended. Most people would have no idea what potatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger, turmeric, peanuts, and other root crops look like when they're growing.

Consider lesser-known native edibles, too—like sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes), ground cherries, or miner’s lettuce. These blend into natural landscapes and rarely raise suspicion.

7. Plant a Sacrifice on the Border

At the edge of your land, in front of the thorny or stinging barrier (a barrier that is hopefully inter-grown with your fencing), plant some obvious spreading perennials like dandelions or other local and wild edibles.

If someone can get something at the edge and the barrier is obvious and not so friendly, then hopefully they won't bother trying to see what is on the other side.

8. Make it Impossible to See

In closely packed urban areas, a tall fence, say one made out of concrete blocks and about six feet high, will make it impossible for anyone to see your garden. Add a large, sturdy gate as well.

The only downside is that some people may think that if your yard is that well hidden, there must be something very valuable inside. This could make certain people even more determined to get past your fence, so it might be better to have a less visually imposing plant barrier (but no less difficult to penetrate).

9. Use Water

Aquatic and semi-aquatic plants can also be utilized, especially if you already have some water on your land. If you're in a city location, creating a small water retention zone and planting a few water-loving plants can increase your survival garden options substantially.

Planting wild semi-aquatic plants like wild rice, cattails, water lily, or arrowroot can provide a wilderness border to your watery hiding place and plenty of food options for you, too. A network of floating mats, either as is or covered in soil for non-water plants, can also increase the hidability of your survival food sources. And what marauder wants to get all cold and wet?

10. Camouflage With Junk or Yard Clutter

Sometimes, the best hiding spot is in plain sight—especially if it's disguised as something no one wants to look at. A strategically “messy” yard can mask a lot of things, including edible plants. You can grow in and around:

  • Old tires
  • Rusty barrels
  • Piles of wood or pallets
  • Disused lawn furniture
  • Tool piles or sheds
  • Trashy-looking planters or fake junk piles

This method uses the psychology of neglect—people tend to ignore what looks abandoned or unappealing. Climbing plants like beans, cucumbers, or even tomatoes can trail over junk piles or trellises disguised as scrap. Edible ground covers and herbs blend right into weed-like surroundings. It's the ultimate stealth garden.

Final Thoughts

Hiding your survival garden isn’t about paranoia—it’s about preparedness. Whether you have a quarter-acre or just a back patio, these strategies help you grow food quietly and protect your investment from wandering eyes and empty stomachs. The less it looks like a garden, the more likely it’ll still be there when you really need it.

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from Urban Survival Site

40 Shade-Loving Veggies That Don’t Need Much Sunlight

Have you stopped to think about what your garden plants need, the very first thing you think of is probably water. The next thing you think of is probably sunlight, and that’s what good reason. All plants, no matter what kind, need sunlight in order to photosynthesize and produce energy. But where many gardeners go ... Read more

40 Shade-Loving Veggies That Don’t Need Much Sunlight can be read in full at New Life On A Homestead- Be sure to check it out!



from New Life On A Homestead

Nesting Boxes for Chickens: Easiest Design Ever

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Nesting Boxes for Chickens: Easiest Design Ever

There are tons of fancy chicken nesting box designs out there, but let’s face it: sometimes, simpler is better. If you're short on time or tools, this tote-based nesting box idea is a game-changer. It’s quick, inexpensive, and your hens will love it.

This tutorial comes from the YouTube channel Becky's Homestead. In this video, you'll learn how to build a chicken nesting box using just a plastic tote and a few basic supplies. It’s ideal for beginner chicken keepers or anyone who wants to scale up quickly without spending a lot of money.

What You’ll Need:

  • 3 18-gallon totes
  • 1 sheet of paper
  • 1 Sharpie marker
  • 1 utility knife
  • 1 screwdriver
  • 12 1-inch screws
  • 12 washers (3/16″ × 3/4″)
  • 1 2 x 8 x 8 board
  • Hay or straw for bedding

How to Make a Single Nesting Box:

1. Create the Door Template: Fold a sheet of paper in half, then in half again. Unfold one quarter of the paper—this piece becomes your chicken-sized doorway.

Paper Template

2. Mark the Tote: Place the paper near the bottom side of the tote, above the molded bottom line. Use the Sharpie to trace the doorway.

Marking the Tote

3. Cut Carefully: Using your utility knife, score a shallow outline first. Then go over it again for a deeper cut. This keeps the plastic from cracking and gives you cleaner edges.

Cut the Tote

4. Add Bedding: Fill the tote with hay or straw—but not so much that it blocks the door. Keep it cozy and accessible.

Add the Bedding

5. Put the Lid On: When it’s time to collect eggs, just lift the lid. No need to disturb your birds or crouch down too far.

Put the Lid On

Want to Build a Triple Box System?

If you’ve got more hens (around 20 or so), you can also make a three-box unit:

1. Repeat the cutting process on three totes.

2. Line them up on a 2×8 board, evenly spaced.

Line Them Up

3. Use four screws and four washers per tote to secure them down—one in each corner.

Use Four Screws

4. Add bedding and you’re ready to go!

Add the Bedding

Why It Works:

  • Affordable: No need to buy pricey nesting boxes.
  • Simple: Minimal tools and easy-to-follow steps.
  • Portable: The totes can be moved or rearranged as needed.

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If Martial Law Is Declared, This Is Where I’m Going

The threat of martial law looms large on the horizon anytime a natural disaster strikes or civil unrest spreads through the streets. If the government does declare martial law, it means the military has been authorized to use its discretion to maintain law and order. While they are technically supposed to coordinate with local law […]

The post If Martial Law Is Declared, This Is Where I’m Going appeared first on Ask a Prepper.



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Wednesday, May 7, 2025

101 Homesteading Skills We Need To Teach

Homesteading Skills

Today, it’s all about the 101 homesteading skills we need to teach our kids, grandkids, and possibly our neighbors. We’ve heard a lot in the last few years about homesteading, vintage, and pioneer skills. I don’t know about you, but I can do all of these, and I bet you can, too. I wrote this post many years ago, but I believe we need this information more now than ever, so I’m updating the post as a refresher.

I have always pictured different farms growing vegetables and fruits and raising chickens, rabbits, goats, cows, etc. I remember visiting dairy farms. It seems now some people are calling themselves homesteading families if they’ve learned and are using these skills.

I remember growing up and hearing the word “homestead” occasionally. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a homestead is “the home and land acquired by a family” and “to acquire or settle on the public land.” I’m unsure how many people acquire public land these days, but many are trying to be more self-sufficient.

101 Homesteading Skills We Need To Teach

I think we really need to explain what a homemaker is and why those people have homesteading skills. They run a house, meaning “the home and land acquired by the family.” I have recently wondered why so many blogs have become homesteading blogs. These are homemaking skills. Maybe they are trying to bring back the skills most of us have used and put them front and center.

I remember churches teaching these skills, as well as schools. Somehow, the teaching of these critical skills needs to be rekindled. What do you think has happened? We can’t continue to eat processed food, eat at fast food places, and eat food at restaurants every day; it’s not healthy. Plus, it’s so expensive.

Whoever heads your home and keeps it running smoothly, I tip my hat to you. It’s hard to be a homemaker and a homesteading family. I decided to break down the different areas of life we all have to deal with each day, no matter where we live, and discuss them. I’m not talking about backyard chickens, ducks, goats, and rabbits, which a few families have chosen to prioritize. I’m talking about those everyday activities that tie up our time and energy to make the home safe, healthy, and comfortable.

I have a friend, blogger Janet Garman, who has a farm called Timber Creek Farm (.com). She is truly a role model to follow if you want a farm. She dyes yarn and knits the most beautiful hand warmers; I have two sets. I love them! Today, it’s all about the homestead, as in our home.

If you understand and use any of these skills, please teach them at your church, schools, and neighborhoods. Trust me, people need to know these skills. You don’t have to live off-grid to take advantage of this knowledge; you want to be enterprising, cost-conscious, and live a more simplistic life. Some would consider these survival skills, and when used properly, many would.

101 Homesteading Skills We Need To Teach

101 Homesteading Skills We Need To Teach

These are the things I learned growing up. How about you?

Baking

  1. I learned to make bread in a big old stainless steel bowl like thisStainless Steel Bowl. We can survive if we learn to make bread in its many varieties, like sourdough bread. Beginners can check out my archive for a no-fail bread recipe with a few ingredients.
  2. Learn to grind wheat. I have two wheat grinders, an electrical one and a hand-powered one, in case my home’s power goes out.
  3. Learn to make whole-wheat bread. Whole-wheat bread is healthier and may tend to make you feel full.
  4. Learn to make bread with flour you can tolerate. Many families are dealing with gluten issues, but can still make bread.
  5. Learn to make natural yeast.
  6. Learn to make white bread that melts in your mouth.
  7. Learn to make dinner rolls to die for.
  8. I learned to make cinnamon rolls. I make a batch and share them with the neighbors; they love them!
  9. Learn to make biscuits—nothing like biscuits with some homemade gravy.
  10. Learn to make crackers. There is no reason to go to the store; create your own and eat them with fresh cheese.
  11. Learn to make crepes. Had some delicious crepes with fresh fruit for a Mother’s Day Lunch. What a hit!
  12. Learn to make tortillas. Who doesn’t like a Mexican meal at any time?
  13. Learn to make pancakes and waffles from scratch. We have a Mickey Mouse waffle maker that the grandkids use.
  14. Learn to make a cake without a cake mix. I genuinely love making things from scratch.
  15. We learned to make frosting without a container or a box. We also try to avoid processed foods as much as possible.
  16. Learn to make pies from scratch (thank you, Jeanne). Making your pie crusts is fun, and you know what’s in them, too!
  17. Learn to make homemade pasta, it tastes so yummy (thank you, Bebe). We enjoy various pasta recipes and don’t have to go to the store first.

Canning

  1. Take a Master Preserver Canning course to keep up with the newest safety measures required to preserve our food. Four Foods You Should Never Can by Linda. Learn to can by water bath and by using a pressure canner. They both come in handy for various food products you harvest. Pressure-canning meat at home has become more common to preserve food. We love to eat jams and jellies, and we’ve canned and canned veggies like green beans, corn, squash, and herbs.
  2. I only use mason jars designed for canning. I like both Ball and Kerr products and prefer using wide-mouthed jars. The lids have been hard to come by the past few years, but seem to be more readily available now.
  3. Watch for chips or cracks and discard damaged jars. A quality seal will not be achieved with damaged jars.
  4. I never can eggs. The USU Extension Service class I took outlined various foods NOT to can. See numbers 5 – 7, too.
  5. Never can milk or cream
  6. Never can bacon
  7. Never can butter
  8. The new rule (USDA Canning 2025 Book) for canning tomatoes (they are less acidic now) is to add two tablespoons of bottled lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid to quart-size jars. To compensate for the lower acid levels in today’s tomatoes, pint-size jars use one tablespoon of bottled lemon juice or 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid.
  9. Always remove the rings after the jars are canned, cooled, and stored. This will ensure that if a lid pops up and becomes unsealed, it will not go back down because the ring was left on. You may never know if the seal popped up after storing it.
  10. When lifting your jars out of the hot water, never tip the jars; keep them upright. I have a nice jar lifter I use so I don’t get burned fingers!
  11. Pressure canners have weighted gauges, dial gauges, regulators, and rings. They should be checked yearly (replace as needed).

Cleaning Your Home

Make a schedule to keep on top of your cleaning. A clean home is a house of order, a house of peace and serenity. Don’t try to clean the whole house in one day; spread out the chores and do them right the first time.

Share the following cleaning projects:

  1. Bathrooms
  2. Kitchens
  3. Living Room
  4. Bedrooms
  5. Closets
  6. Cupboards
  7. Fans
  8. Dusting
  9. Vacuuming
  10. Mopping

Cleaning Your Garage

I love a clean garage:

  1. Blow the dust and debris outside and put them in a trash can.
  2. Keep the garage doors oiled and lubricated. Some lubricants, from time to time, are cheaper than replacing motors and springs.
  3. Vacuum the entrance rug between the garage and the house once a week.

Cleaning Your Yard

Trust me on this one, I love a clean street. Is this a homesteading skill? I don’t know but it’s important to me.

  1. Pick up blowing trash in your yard and adjoining neighbors’ yards. Help each other out.
  2. Pick up dog poop your neighbor’s dog has left, try not to be bitter because you always take a poop bag.
  3. If you have street gutters, clean them; they make all the difference in a clean, tidy neighborhood.
  4. Keep your bushes trimmed, particularly near the home. They can become a fire hazard and a place for intruders to hide.
  5. Keep your trees trimmed so people can walk safely on the sidewalk in front of your home.
  6. Consider using a pre-emergent spray so weeds don’t become a problem for you and the neighbors.

Cooking

The following “how-tos” are fun to learn and will make your food preparation skills so much stronger:

  1. How to make a roux
  2. How to make a white sauce
  3. How to cook from scratch
  4. How to make rice without a rice cooker
  5. How to make gravy from meat drippings
  6. How to make/cook beans from a bag
  7. Buy good pans the first time. I use this Farberware saucepan all the time. Having the right cookware can make a real difference!
  8. Learn to make soups, stews, chili, and anything that will fill the belly for less money and still be healthy.
  9. Exchange recipes with friends that make up meals that are frugal and healthy.
  10. Put together a pantry and food storage inventory list. Check it monthly to ensure you’ll always have what you need.

Dehydrating Food

  1. You can dehydrate food on window screens or netting. Using the sun’s rays can save equipment costs, but it takes patience and skill.
  2. I have had two dehydrators in my life; they run nonstop. The one I have now is similar to this one: Excalibur.
  3. Dehydrating your own food is for short-term storage only, a maximum of one year. We dehydrate both fruits and veggies. I use the veggies in my soups, stews, casseroles, and more, and I put the dried fruit in desserts.
  4. You can dehydrate frozen vegetables you find on sale without washing, slicing, or cutting them.
  5. When you combine homegrown garden products with canning and dehydrating the harvest, it is the best!

First Aid Skills and Supplies

Thanks to Daniel for these:

  1. Learn basic first-aid skills, including closing a wound with stitches and setting a broken bone.
  2. CPR class
    I remember taking these classes at the YMCA long ago, but I am pretty sure your local fire station would be able to steer you in the right direction. First Aid Kit by Linda
  3. Consider taking a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class. You and your neighbors learn skills that might save lives!

Gardening

  1. You can feed a family of 6-8 people with a garden. I know I have done it on a 1/4 acre. My family canned and preserved all the food for one year: no animal meat, just fruits and vegetables. We would enjoy the bounty we preserved and start again the following year. Gardens for Two by Linda and  How to Grow A Garden by Linda
  2. Find the best area to plant a garden, and watch for sun and shade spots.
  3. My favorite item you need to start your garden (I have to use these items because I have rock-hard clay soil): Miracle-Gro Soil, buy at your local hardware stores.
  4. Composting, I confess, this is the only one I haven’t done yet. I buy my organic compost materials.
  5. Learn to trim and prune your fruit trees correctly.
  6. Buy Non-GMO, non-hybrid seeds and plants. You can use the seed from the heirloom seeds for next year’s plants.
  7. Turn the soil several times and add the following amendments, if you need them (#8 – #11):
  8. Azomite Micronized Bag
  9. Worm Castings
  10. Coco/Coconut Fibre Pot Mix
  11. Organic Vermiculate

Heating Your Home

  1. Learn how to use a good chainsaw, we taught our girls to cut down trees, they cut and split the logs to heat our home together as a family. We used a wood-burning stove insert to heat our home for four full winters. This was a skill we all needed to learn. It’s hard work, but it totally teaches a family to work together as a team.

Home Maintenance

  1. Change your smoke alarm batteries at least once a year before they start to beep.
  2. Change your Carbon Monoxide detector batteries at least once a year: Carbon Monoxide Detector and Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector, Propane, Natural, Methane, & Explosive Gas Alarm
  3. Change your furnace air filters often (thanks to Janet’s reminder). Remember, you may not need the HEPA filters in your home unless someone has severe allergies. An HVAC service tech told us to consider using the lower-cost filters. They catch the larger particles and let more air through, making them more fuel efficient.

Laundry

  1. Keep up with your laundry. Nothing is worse than a power outage when you need clean underwear, etc. If I hear a storm coming, I start the laundry immediately, just in case of a power outage.
  2. Consider learning how to starch and iron your dress shirts.
  3. Save money and make your laundry detergent and soap products: Laundry Detergent.

Money Management

Make a budget with your net income, write it down, then write your bills on the other side of the paper. Put some in your monthly savings, even if only $1.00. (Thanks to Debbie for reminding me about this topic)

Tina: I would add – Learn How to Write a Check and Balance a Checkbook. You would be surprised how many young folks coming out of high school have no clue how to handle a checking account.

Personal Hygiene & Health

This one is critical to our well-being and learning to stay healthy.

  1. Eat healthily, we are what we eat. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
  2. Clean remotes to all TVs, cell phones, etc.
  3. Clean light switches.
  4. Use the cleaning wipes at the grocery stores on those shopping carts.
  5. Wash your hands frequently.
  6. Stay home from work if you are sick, don’t spread those germs!
  7. Keep your child home from school if he or she will spread a virus or bacterial infection.
  8. Keep a jar of Vicks VapoRub on hand at all times (rub some on your feet and cover with socks- helps with a cough).
  9. Use essential oils to soothe a cold or influenza.

Sewing

Sewing seems to have become a lost art. These basic sewing skills may prove to be new skills for some, but they’re worth learning at any age:

  1. Learn how to thread a needle.
  2. Learn how to thread a sewing machine.
  3. Learn how to make a bobbin.
  4. Learn how to clean and oil your sewing machine.
  5. Learn how to sew a straight line on your machine.
  6. Buy a good sewing machine, not a cheap one, a good one, it doesn’t have to be expensive.
  7. Learn to use a fabric rotary cutter and board.
  8. Buy a good pair of fabric scissors.
  9. Buy a good seam ripper.
  10. Buy a good fabric tape measure.
  11. Buy safety pins.
  12. Buy good sewing machine needles.
  13. Buy good pinning pins.
  14. Get a pin cushion- they make magnetic ones, which are great.
  15. Learn to sew aprons, then kids’ clothes, and move on to more complex things.
  16. Learn how to sew on buttons.
  17. Mending can save lots of money.
  18. Recycling thrift clothes can be fun and save lots, too.
  19. Learn to make your starch and iron your clothes when appropriate.

Quilting

Quilts make fantastic gifts for kids and adults!

  1. Learn to tie a quilt with yarn knots and fluffy batting.
  2. Learn to piece a quilt with leftover fabrics.
  3. Learn to hand quilt a quilt.
  4. Learn to bind a quilt.
  5. Learn to use a fabric rotary cutter and board.
  6. Buy a good pair of fabric scissors.

Knitting and Crocheting

  1. Knitting and crocheting must be added, I’m so thankful Valerie reminded me about this incredible skill!

101 Homesteading Skills We Need To Teach

Final Word

Thanks again for being prepared for the unexpected. Our kids and grandkids need these 101 homesteading skills and so much more. Let me know what skills you think should be added to my list so I can share your ideas with my readers. May God bless this world, Linda

The post 101 Homesteading Skills We Need To Teach appeared first on Food Storage Moms.



from Food Storage Moms

How to Forage and Harvest Wild Asparagus

[…]

The post How to Forage and Harvest Wild Asparagus appeared first on The Survival Mom.



from The Survival Mom https://ift.tt/cVUTboK

Lye Powder – Old-School Self-Reliance

When it comes to old-school self-reliance, few substances are as powerful or useful as lye powder. Known for its role in soap making and food preservation, lye has been used for centuries by homesteaders, pioneers, and survival-minded folks who understood the value of turning basic materials into life-sustaining tools. In this guide, we’ll dig into […]

The post Lye Powder – Old-School Self-Reliance appeared first on Ask a Prepper.



from Ask a Prepper https://ift.tt/ue29T6M

How Solar Flares Can Bring An End To Our World As We Know It

You’ve prepped for economic collapse, pandemics, even nuclear war—but what about a threat from space? Most folks don’t give solar flares a second thought. The sun’s just there, right? Burning away, keeping us warm. But what if I told you that a single, massive solar eruption could wipe out modern civilization in a matter of ... Read more...

from Prepper's Will

You Might Be Thinking Wrong About Prepping

Introspection is one of the healthiest mental exercises we can undertake. Unfortunately, it is much less common than the physical exercise that many partake of, trying to keep their bodies […]

The post You Might Be Thinking Wrong About Prepping appeared first on Survivopedia.



from Survivopedia

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

500+ Camping Recipes

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

500+ Camping Recipes

If you want to cook delicious camping meals without lugging around a full kitchen, 500+ Camping Recipes by Troop 26 Parkville is a goldmine.

This free, shareable PDF is packed with outdoor-friendly recipes and practical cooking methods that anyone can use—from scouts and families to hardcore survivalists. But it's not just about food. The book starts by teaching you some clever DIY cooking tools and techniques that let you cook just about anything over a campfire.

What makes it especially awesome is how it blends old-school Scouting ingenuity with modern camping know-how. You’ll learn how to make Buddy Burners, Vagabond Stoves, cardboard box ovens, and master the Dutch oven. It even includes tips for heat control, gear care, natural hygiene solutions, and bushcraft-style cooking hacks.

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Cooking Supplies You’ll Need for These Recipes

To cook the recipes from this book and take advantage of all the DIY techniques, here’s a list of items you’ll want to bring or make:

DIY Cooking Gear:

Camp Kitchen Gear:

Prep & Cleanup Supplies:

  • Soap (bar or powdered) for pots
  • Baking soda (multi-use)
  • Paper towels or clean cloths
  • Toothbrush, matchbook, and natural self-care items (many included in the book)

Now let's talk about the recipes themselves…

500+ Camping and Dutch Oven Recipes

Here are the types of recipes you'll find in this book:

  • Breakfasts – Pancakes, omelets, casseroles, and baked goods.
  • Foil Pack Meals – Easy, no-mess meals cooked in foil.
  • Dutch Oven Recipes – Breads, stews, meats, and desserts.
  • Skillet/Grill Recipes – Burgers, fish, and quick-cook options.
  • Desserts – Pies, cobblers, cookies, and sweet snacks.
  • Snacks and Trail Foods – Jerky, granola, energy bars.
  • Soups and Stews – Hearty one-pot comfort foods.
  • Breads and Sides – Biscuits, cornbread, potatoes, salads.
  • Drinks – Cider, punch, hot cocoa, lemonade.
  • Marinades and Sauces – For grilled meats or dips.
  • Kid-Friendly / Fun Foods – S’mores, banana boats, campfire popcorn.

Because of the length of this book, I can't reprint all the recipes on this page—it would take forever to load. Instead, I'll just share a link to the PDF and talk about some of my favorite recipes from this book.

Here's the link: 500+ Camping Recipes

Click the link to open it in your browser. From there, you can print it or download a copy to your computer.

Now here are my personal favorites…

Breakfast Recipes

Baggie Omelet

Ingredients:

  • Eggs (1-2 per person)
  • Milk
  • Any or all of the following….cheese, ham, bacon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms
  • Pita Bread (optional)
  • Zipper type freezer bag

Directions:

  1. Put 1-2 eggs in bag and add desired amount of milk.
  2. Add the additional ingredients. Seal bag tightly.
  3. Place bag in boiling water and cook for 3-5 minutes until desired doneness.

To eat as a breakfast sandwich, put egg combination in pita bread.

Breakfast Burritos

This is a great way to cook a small crowd something to eat that is fast, easy, and can totally be cooked in one skillet. To make it even simpler, mix up a few eggs with a little milk, salt & pepper, and store it in a mayo jar (in the cooler) for future use.

Ingredients:

  • Sausage
  • Pre-mixed eggs
  • Salsa
  • Onion
  • Peppers
  • Mushrooms

Directions:

  1. Brown some sausage; drain and crumble and return to the pan.
  2. Pour in the pre-mixed eggs, a little salsa, onion, peppers, mushrooms and/or anything else you want to throw in.
  3. Scramble till done.
  4. Top with cheese.
  5. Scoop out spoonfuls onto a flour tortilla, roll up and enjoy!

Camp Hash

Ingredients:

  • 4 c Shredded Dried Hash Brown Potatoes
  • 2 pk Onion Soup Mix
  • 1 1/2 lb Ground Meat Or Sausage
  • Assorted Seasonings, to taste
  • 1 lg Pot With A Lid
  • 1 lg Spoon
  • 6 c Water

Directions:

  1. Brown the meat in the bottom of the pan. Break up the meat as it cooks assuring that all the pink (raw) meat is cooked.
  2. Add the water and soup mix stirring to mix. Heat to boiling and simmer a few minutes.
  3. Add the dry potatoes and stir to mix. Cover the pot and move to the edge of the fire for about 10 minutes to allow the potatoes to swell up with the water.
  4. Move the pot back on the heat and stir while cooking the potatoes.
  5. Cook about 5-10 minutes. Serve hot.

Seasonings may be added with the potatoes to the cook's taste. Hot peppers, chili powder, basil, Italian seasonings are good. The meat may be hamburger, sausage, Italian
sausage, etc. Different meats do provide a different flavor. This hash can be either an evening or a breakfast meal. Note that a package of Golden Grill Hash Brown dried potatoes provides for three recipes of Camp Hash.

Main Dishes

Beer Butt Chicken

A whole chicken is seasoned and slowly cooked on the grill. This is a bit unorthodox, but the end result is moist, flavorful and amazing. All you'll need is some chicken, butter, beer and seasonings.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 cup butter salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons garlic salt 1 (12 fluid ounce) can beer
  • 2 tablespoons paprika 1 (4 pound) whole chicken

Directions:

  1. Preheat an outdoor grill for low heat, and lightly oil grate.
  2. In a small skillet, melt 1/2 cup butter.
  3. Mix in 1 tablespoon garlic salt, 1 tablespoon paprika, salt and pepper.
  4. Discard 1/2 the beer, leaving the remainder in the can.
  5. Add remaining butter, garlic salt, paprika and desired amount of salt and pepper to beer can.
  6. Place can on a disposable baking sheet. Set chicken upright onto can, inserting can into the cavity of the chicken.
  7. Baste chicken with the melted, seasoned butter.
  8. Place baking sheet with beer and chicken on the prepared grill.
  9. Cook over low heat for about 3 hours, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

Camp Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients:

  • 2 envelopes Lipton's Cream of Chicken Cup-o-soup
  • 1 large can Swanson's Chunk Chicken Meat
  • 3/4 cup mixed dehydrated vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, mushrooms, and tomatoes)
  • 1 cup Bisquick in a zip-lock bag
  • Water

Directions:

  1. First rehydrate chicken and vegetables (about 1/2 cup hot water for the chicken and 1/4 – 1/2 cup hot water for the vegetables).
  2. Mix the soup, chicken meat and vegetables in a relatively deep pot with 2 to 3 cups water (I like 3 for more of a soup mixture).
  3. Place on camp stove. Heat to simmering, stirring occasionally.
  4. While soup stuff is heating, add water (see Bisquick box instructions for quantity) to Bisquick and knead in the zip-lock bag.
  5. When soup stuff is hot, tear off a corner of the bag and squeeze out plops of Bisquick into the pot.
  6. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes on low heat. Serves 4.

Campfire Chili

There are a million variations of this recipe and this is just one of them. Feel free to experiment and make it your own. I make this one on a wood fire while camping and it serves 2 healthy appetites or three normal ones.

This works fine with a 3 quart cast iron Dutch oven, but I like to use the 5 quart because if someone else shows up hungry you can easily add whatever you have in camp to stretch it out. This recipe is tangy but not hot. Adjust to your taste.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound hamburger – I use the leanest I can find, but whatever you prefer is best.
  • 1 large onion – Vidalia are nice but too mild. I prefer a pungent yellow or white onion. Slice, chop, dice or however you prefer them.
  • 1 large RIPE tomato – cut up into 2 or 3 inch pieces.
  • 1 16 oz can black beans
  • 1 16 oz can red kidney beans
  • 1 red bell pepper – you can use any color you would like but the red adds a sweetness that compliments the hot stuff.
  • 3 shakes crushed red pepper
  • 3 splashes jalapeno sauce
  • Garlic to taste – I usually use a powder when camping, but fresh chopped up fine is excellent.

Directions:

  1. Warm the Dutch oven on a grate over a hot fire (more coals than flame).
  2. Pour just enough of your favorite oil to coat the bottom of the pot.
  3. Sauté the onions, tomato and bell pepper, stirring as needed until they start to soften.
  4. Add the hamburger and mix well; cover and allow the hamburger to brown.
  5. Add both cans of beans, the jalapeno sauce, the garlic and the crushed red pepper; mix well and cover again.
  6. Stirring frequently allows you to monitor the texture. If the fire is too hot the chili may
    thicken too much. Add a little water if needed but be careful not to make it too watery.

Campfire Kabobs

Instructions:

  • 4 cans pineapple chunks
  • 2 can condensed tomato soup
  • 1/2 cups olive oil
  • 2 tbs chili powder
  • 2 lbs bologna, folded in quarters
  • 2 green peppers, cut into 1in squares
  • 1 pkg frankfurter buns, split
  • 8 large wooden skewers

Directions:

  1. Drain pineapple. Reserve 1/2 cups juice.
  2. In medium pot, combine soup, reserved pineapple juice, olive oil, and chili powder.
  3. Heat, stirring occasionally.
  4. On skewers, arrange alternately bologna, green pepper, and pineapple.
  5. Grill 4 inches above coals.
  6. Brush with sauce.
  7. Cook 8 minutes or until hot, brushing with sauce frequently.
  8. Serve on buns with remaining sauce.

Camp Pizza

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 lb Ground beef (80% lean) 2 1/4 oz Sliced pitted ripe olives; drained
  • 1 Medium onion; chopped 1/3 c Green bell pepper; coarsely chopped
  • 8 oz Refrigerated crescent rolls 1 c Mozzarella cheese; shredded
  • 8 oz Pizza sauce 1 ts Dried oregano leaves
  • 4 oz Mushroom stems and pieces; drained

Directions:

  1. Brown ground beef and onion in well-seasoned 11 to 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium coals.
  2. Remove to paper towels to drain. Pour off drippings from pan.
  3. Separate crescent dough into triangles; place in skillet, points toward center, to form circle.
  4. Press edges together to form bottom crust about 1 inch up the side of pan.
  5. Spread half of pizza sauce over crust.
  6. Spoon ground beef mixture over sauce.
  7. Cover with mushrooms, olives and green pepper.
  8. Pour remaining sauce over all; sprinkle with cheese and oregano.
  9. Place pan in center of grid over medium coals.
  10. Place cover on cooker; cook 20 to 30 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. (If cooked over open grill or coals, cover pan securely with foil.)

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

  • 3 large cans of chicken meat Chicken bouillon granules
  • Tube of refrigerator crescent rolls or biscuits
  • 16 oz. bag of frozen vegetables Salt and pepper
  • 2-3 medium potatoes, chop into small cubes
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup of flour (approx.)
  • If desired: Chopped mushrooms, onions, other veggies

Directions:

  1. Warm Dutch oven.
  2. Add chicken with juice to oven with a tablespoon of oil and several cups of water to cover. Add about 1 tablespoon of bouillon and bring to boil.
  3. With whisk or fork, whip a couple tablespoons of flour into a cup of water to make a
    smooth think mixture.
  4. Briskly stir flour mixture into chicken broth to create a gravy, taking care not to break up chicken pieces.
  5. Bring back to boil, stirring gently until gravy starts to thicken slightly.
  6. Stir in frozen vegetables, potato cubes, other veggies and enough water that when mixed, gravy just touches top of ingredients.
  7. Sprinkle salt, pepper.
  8. Create a top crust with crescent roll dough (flat not rolled) or biscuit halves layered on top of ingredients.
  9. Put lid on Dutch oven, place oven on bed of 8-10 charcoals and put 12-15 more coals on lid.
  10. Bake about 20 minutes, then check crust. When crust is brown and flaky on top, lower top heat by removing most coals.
  11. Maintain bottom heat to keep pie bubbling, about 45 minutes total baking time until
    potatoes are tender.

Dutch Oven Macaroni & Beef

Ingredients:

  • 2½ to 3 pounds beef brisket
  • 1 12-ounce package macaroni
  • Water (you can add tomato juice or beef stock to water if you like)

Directions:

  1. Place Dutch oven directly on coals and add a little oil or shorting.
  2. Add brisket and brown well on both sides.
  3. Add water to almost cover the brisket.
  4. Cover oven and place coals on the oven lid and cook until meat is tender, about two hours.
  5. Remove meat from cooking juices and wrap in foil to keep warm.
  6. Add macaroni to cooking juices and place oven directly on hot coals.
  7. Boil, uncovered until pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.

Sides & Snacks

Backpacker Bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 cups whole almonds
  • 1 cup quick cooking oats
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped dates
  • 1 cup white flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 4 teaspoons grated orange peel

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Cream butter with 1 cup brown sugar.
  3. Stir in oats, wheat flour, white flour, wheat germ, and orange peel.
  4. Press mixture into bottom of an ungreased 9 x13-inch baking pan.
  5. Combine eggs, almonds, chocolate chips, dates, apricots, coconut and remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar.
  6. Mix gently, but thoroughly.
  7. Pour over butter mixture. Spread evenly.
  8. Bake 30-35 minutes and cool before cutting into bars.

Campfire Blooming Onion

Ingredients:

  • 4 large Vidalia onions
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Peel onions and cut each one into quarters only PART of the way down, keeping onions together.
  2. Place 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 clove of garlic in the middle of each onion.
  3. Double wrap each onion in foil and place on hot coals.
  4. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes.
  5. Carefully remove from coals and unwrap.
  6. Season with salt and pepper, then eat. Serves 4.

You can serve with ranch dip or hot sauce, if desired.

Campfire Popcorn

Note: This recipe only serves one, so you'll want to multiply based on how many people there are.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon of oil
  • 1 tablespoon of popcorn kernels
  • Butter and salt

Directions:

  1. In the center of an 18″ x 18″ square of heavy-duty or doubled foil, place one teaspoon of oil & one tablespoon of popcorn.
  2. Bring foil corners together to make a pouch.
  3. Seal the edges by folding, but allow room for the popcorn to pop.
  4. Tie each pouch to a long stick with a string & hold the pouch over the hot coals.
  5. Shake constantly until all the corn has popped.
  6. Season with butter & salt. Serves one.

Dutch Oven Nachos

Directions:

  1. Simply line your Dutch oven with aluminum foil and heap your nachos in.
  2. Add whatever you like on top, usually shredded cheese, tomatoes, browned beef, and salsa.
  3. Cover and put in a medium to low fire for a few minutes.
  4. Remove from fire when cheese is melted and serve.

Desserts

Campfire Cobbler

Ingredients:

  • 1 can Sliced peaches, large
  • 1 can Fruit cocktail, large
  • 1 can Crushed pineapple, small
  • 1/4 lb Margarine
  • 1 c Brown sugar
  • 1 pkg Cake mix
  • 1/2 c Instant tapioca

Directions:

  1. In 12 inch foil lined Dutch Oven, combine fruit and tapioca.
  2. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over top of fruit.
  3. Sprinkle brown sugar over cake mix.
  4. Dab butter all over top of brown sugar.
  5. Place lid on oven. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour. Use 6 to 8 coals on the
    bottom and 14 to 16 on the top.

Cake is done when top is brown and cake has absorbed juices and is no longer dry.

Campfire Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

  • 4 cans of biscuits
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 tbs. cinnamon
  • 1 stick margarine

Directions:

  1. Cut biscuits into quarters.
  2. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag.
  3. Drop biscuits into bag and coat well.
  4. Place in Dutch oven.
  5. Melt margarine and pour over biscuits; sprinkle with brown sugar.
  6. Bake over medium coals 20 to 25 minutes.

Campfire S’mores

Ingredients:

  • Marshmallows
  • Graham crackers
  • Hershey bars
  • Green sticks

Directions:

  1. Get prepared by getting 1 large graham cracker and breaking it in half.
  2. Cover 1/2 of the graham cracker with Hershey bar.
  3. Put a marshmallow (or 2) on the stick and hold it over the fire until roasted. Some people like them lightly golden, others like to catch them on fire and then blow the fire out. If you do that, be careful. You have to put the fire out quickly or your marshmallow will fall on the ground.
  4. When the marshmallow's roasted, place on top of the Hershey bar, put the other graham cracker on top and bite down. Yum!

Variation: You can also use Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in place of the Hershey Bars for a different taste!

Dutch Oven Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

  • One Chocolate cake mix (Double chocolate or Dark chocolate)
  • Eggs as called for on cake mix
  • 1 cube butter
  • 2 T cocoa
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 can of soda pop

Directions:

  1. In a Dutch oven, melt butter; mix in cocoa and brown sugar.
  2. Then add 2 cups water and marshmallows.
  3. In a bowl stir up the cake mix with eggs and soda pop.
  4. Pour over mixture in Dutch oven, but don't mix.
  5. Cook about 20 to 30 minutes in a 12″ Dutch oven with 14 coals on the top and 10 on the bottom.
  6. Serve with cool whip.

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