Posted: Wed, 27 May 2009 10:36 AM - 7,644 Readers

By: Jeff Walker

My wife and I are looking forward to camping at Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis this weekend. Which is sort of odd. Until recently, we were far from what one would consider “camping people.”

But, for reasons financial and other, we’ve recently embraced the outdoors in all new ways. With money tighter than ever, camping is a super cheap entertainment and the area is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities. Camping is an absolute blast. After you’ve lived in Central Texas long enough, it’s nearly impossible not to embrace the outdoors in some way.

So as we pack up all the camping gear this week, food must at least be mentioned: We’ll have to eat at some point. And one can not live on roasted marshmallows alone.

Campfire cooking should be delicious but should also utilize as few gadgets and ingredients as possible. You’re already hauling ice chests, tents, lawn chairs and fishing poles deep into the woods: The last thing you want to worry about is a stack of herbs or spices or specialty cooking oils.

For that purpose, I plan on cooking with just an iron skillet and a lot of aluminum foil. Dutch ovens are a great help if you have one.

Camping is a lot of work, and camping builds up an appetite quickly. Cooking a great outdoor meal should be just as important as setting up the tent. But don’t make it complicated: Remember that you left behind all those modern “conveniences” back home for a reason. Take a deep breath of very fresh air and let that flavor-rendering open flame do the rest.

Breakfast Burritos

•  eggs
•  hash browns
•  bacon
•  cheddar cheese
•  salsa
• flour tortillas
• tomatoes

Chop up the tomatoes. Cook the bacon in skillet over campfire grates and crumble. Cook the southern style hash browns in pan with salt, pepper and oil until browned. Mix together and put in a container or zip lock bag and refrigerate until needed. Grate cheddar cheese (store in container or zip lock bag). On the morning you will cook these, take out mixture and place in large frying pan and heat. Scramble the eggs, add to warm mixture and cook.

Campfire Coffee

Bring two quarts of water to a good, rolling boil in a camping coffee pot.

Take it from the fire and add 2 handfuls of fine ground coffee. Steep for 4 minutes. Add a few tablespoons of cold water to the mixture after steeping. Pour slowly to keep as many grounds out of cup as possible.

Foil Steak and Potatoes

•  1 green pepper, chopped
•  1 onion, chopped
•  3 potatoes, cut into large cubes
•  2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into cubes
•  Non-stick cooking spray or butter
•  garlic powder, salt pepper
•  Heavy Duty aluminum foil

Season steaks with spices. Coat the bell peppers, onions and potatoes into 4 equal parts. Coat a small area in the center of the foil with cooking spray or a small amount of butter. Place a portion of peppers and mushrooms on the greased area of the foil. Top with steak.

Fold the foil securely and check for leaks. Place on the coals of fire for 15 to 20 minutes, or until steak is cooked through, flipping once midway through.

*  Story Contributed by: Jeff Walker