What to eat when camping. Or: How Hummus can justify anything, including marshmallows the size of a brick.

by Caitlin

Before last weekend I had been camping once in my life.

Wait...

Yeah, no, just the one time. 

Wait. 

Yeah. Once.

The thing is, I've got a perfectly good house to sleep in already. It has a warm, comfy bed and no rain or bugs really get in, you know? If I want to get up and pee in the middle of the night I don't even have to unzip any doors or don footwear or hope that I don't sleepily squat over poison ivy by mistake. 

But I *like* camping. After all, camping so far seems to involve good friends, margaritas, and boating. Like so:

 

 Just trust me, there were margs in there. (Photos: Me.)

So far this is hard to argue with, am I right?

 But let's get down to brass tacks. Aside from when we had to show up and where, I gave little thought  to anything besides what I would be eating (and wearing). After all, I have a HUSBAND for to worry about tents and sleeping bags and fire accessories and whatnots. Luckily for me, that husband also cooks for a living. And by the way, if you're going to go camping, I highly recommend that 50% of campers present be chefs. You will want to go camping ALL THE TIME. 

(Or not, but I promise it will be much more enjoyable.)

So what did we eat? Well, a lot. Here are some highlights.

For boat snacks/lunch on Saturday Zach and I were excited to share one of our current favorite snacks/appetizers.  If you're in the DC metro area, you may be familiar with the Cava Mezze group. They currently have two restaurants open (in DC & Rockville), and I believe a third is in the works. I've only been to the Capitol Hill location, and it's basically Greek style tapas and small plates. It's a fun place to go with friends, share a few dishes and linger over snacks and drinks. They've also begun selling some of their dips and spreads at multiple outlets in five different states, including the District. 

We're able to get their products at our local Whole Foods, and over the past couple of months have fallen in love with their Spicy Harissa Hummus. It's got good, whole, simple ingredients and is completely delicious. We brought that along on our camping adventure, and also picked up some of their Crazy Feta. We had a bunch of raw veggies plus Sticks & Twigs for dipping. 

Tablescape care of Lands' End beach towel. Other snacks include our friend Lisa's peanut butter stuffed peanut butter cookies (YES) and delicious corn dip with Fritos. Photo: Me.

The hummus was fantastic as always, and the feta was tasty, but I don't know how crazy it was. Actually, it was crazy. Because at $10 for 8.5 ounces, I expected a lot more than feta, olive oil, red onion, and jalapeno. Mostly glad we tried it, but next time I'll mash up my own at home. ($10? WE were feeling crazy when we splurged on that.)

Dinner consisted of pulled pork, Hawaiian pork skewers, coleslaw, grilled veggies (actually leftover crudite), beans, and various kinds of salads.

I took this picture of the boys cooking, but it turns out it's actually mostly a picture of tattoos, plus some food. Ohhhh chefs who also are/were sailors. Photo: me.

 

 

Yes, this WAS way too much food for four people. But that's what happens when chefs go camping. Photo: me.

It wouldn't be a camping trip without s'mores, would it? No it would not. While I have not yet earned my laminated membership card to the Sleeps in a Tent club, I do love a good outdoor fire. It's just not summer to me until I've sat around a fire, marinating in woodsmoke, with a molten river of chocolate and marshmallow running down my face and a blanket of graham cracker crumbs on my sweatshirt.

There's something else you should know about me. I'm a freak for marshmallows. I might love me some veggies, but I've got a gnarly sweet tooth and marshmallows have always sung their overly sweet yet irresistible siren song to me. Gourmet marshmallows or Jet Puffed, I love them all. 

So imagine my amazement and awe when (after several beers) Lisa whipped out this extra large bag of extra large sugar pillows. I believe at one point I happily declared I could "EAT THIS MARCH-MALLOOW LIKE AN APPLE! AN APPLE!". The next morning (when the beer had worn off) I made sure to take some pictures demonstrating scale. 

That is the bag of marshmallows. Which looks normal until you realize that's an iPhone to the right. Other hints: The bag says JUMBO.(Photo: Me.)

Photo: Me.

That is a Giant Mallow on an iPhone. Are you in awe? You're totally in awe. I believe these bad boys are available at CostCo. 

So, who wants to go camping?

Do you camp? What do you like to eat when you do? Do you have any food related camping traditions?

 

Comments

[Sarah Anne]

I lurrrrve camping! Andrew and I go at least once every summer for a few days and I think planning ahead is the smartest thing ever. Usually the day before, I'll throw a bunch of tofu slices in ziplock bags with various marinades. Last year, it was an asian sesame soy marinade and one was a 'cacciatore' style tomato sauce. I also pre-marinated a ton of veg in homemade italian dressing and threw that in a ziplock. I did the same with asparagus since it's easy to grill. Lastly I sliced up some potatoes, threw in some butter and onions and spices, and wrapped those puppies in foil. I put all that in a cooler on ice, and then when dinner time came, poof. Just tossed it all in a pan or on the grill! SO easy and I felt way more comfortable cooking there than I do in my own kitchen. No temperature to set, nothing to do but kick back with a beer, or glass of wine in a plastic goblet!

Of course, I can't seem to go anywhere without CHEESE so we brought a couple types, crackers, hummus, fruit and probably some olives for yours truly. Eggs are always on the menu for breakfast, and I almost always use the leftover veg and potatoes for breakfast 'hash' or scrambles.

Smores. Always.

[Sarah Anne]

I also realize...I'm ridiculous. We knew this.

[Raven]

I grew up camping. We ate things like stuffed bell peppers ( wrap in heavy duty foil and cook in coals) bagels with cream cheese and liverwurst, baked apples and tons of grilled food.

None of our friends (locally) are campers which makes me sad, I would love a group to camp. I always make the ziploc bag omelets, s'mores and hot cocoa before bed (if we are sans kiddo, there's a nip of Frangelico in the cocoa)