Summer is synonymous with camping and grilling. It's a pastime that millions of people engage in, creating memories, relaxing, and spending quality time together. One of the most important things that takes place is deciding on what food will be made, and to be honest, most people have grown tired of hot dogs and hamburgers. This season, celebrity chef Megan Keno is inviting people to take their grilling and camping meals to the next level with her enticing recipes.
“Most people reach for hot dogs and hamburgers because it’s easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s exciting or satisfying,” said celebrity chef Megan Keno, founder of the renowned food blog Homemade Home and author of Cast Iron Gourmet. “With just a little bit of pre-planning and preparation, you can have some exciting food options that will please everyone!"
According to Statista, humans have been grilling and barbecuing for millennia, and Americans are particularly fond of the tradition. They report that a fifth of the U.S. population barbecues each year, with burgers topping the list of what's on the grill. Even as prices have risen with the cost of grilling, there hasn't been a decline in the number of people lighting up the grill.
Many people reach for burgers and dogs when grilling and camping simply because it's easy and has become a habit. Still, they are often bored with it and want other options to enhance and elevate their grilling experience. The good news is that Keno shows people that camping and grilling cuisine can be elevated, going beyond burgers and hot dogs. Creating something special and memorable is just a little extra preparation away and will help create a great food experience for everyone.
Here are some recipes and tips to help take grilling and camping cuisine to the next level:
Marinades are your friend. Take along some great marinades that will make the meat zing! Think Huli Huli Chicken or Greek Chicken Skewers, which can go from the cooler to the grill over the campfire quickly. The flavors have already been imparted into them, and minimal onsite prep is needed for this tasty option.
Precut your produce. Take the time to wash and cut everything ahead of time, which will make onsite meals a breeze. One less thing to do while camping and grilling means taking the time to cut everything ahead of time. A tasty option is to do the chopping prep of the peppers and potatoes ahead of time to create a delicious Cowboy Skillet Hash.
Crack a few eggs. Many people love eggs in the morning, but they don’t want to be bothered with hauling eggs to the campsite. Additionally, they occupy too much space in the cooler. To simplify, use a fully sealed plastic pitcher with a pour lid and crack the eggs into it ahead of time. This container holds a lot of eggs and allows for easy pouring out of what is needed, then storing it back in the cooler, so it takes up less space and there's no risk of breaking the eggs. This also makes it simple to make French toast.
Change up banana boats. While banana boats have been around for a long time, they can be elevated with some fun ingredients beyond just chocolate and marshmallows. For a delectable option, add in fresh berries, mashed up cookies, peanut butter cups, or shredded coconut, and top with a little graham crackers at the end. Grilled banana boats take only 10 minutes and work great over the campfire.
Fire restriction desserts. Those camping with fire restrictions can still have a delicious dessert of s’mores. Opt for S’mores Graham Krispie Treats, which are amazing for providing all the s’mores flavors without the need for a campfire. These can be mixed and matched using the families favorite cereals, too, such as Fruit Pebbles Rice Crispy Treats or Reese’s Puff Cereal Rice Krispie Treats.
“Camping food will never be the same once you try these recipes," said Keno. “They provide a tasty way to take camping to the next level. The little bit of pre-planning and prep is so worth it!”
To help keep grilling safer, the National Fire Protection Association recommends creating a kid-free zone of at least three feet around hot grills, checking for any fire restrictions, only using lighter fluid as intended, using long-handle grilling tools, and properly disposing of charcoal after cooking.
Keno has an impressive history in the food world. She has been a food blogger for over 15 years and a cookbook author. Her book Cast Iron Gourmet: From Kitchen to Table, Made with Love" (Homemade Home) has helped many people prepare approachable and delicious meals in cast iron pans. Her food writing, recipe creation, and cooking have become synonymous with being quick, easy, and comforting—three things people crave when it comes to home cooking.
Her cookbook highlights recipes for novice and seasoned cast iron aficionados alike. They help remove the fears people have about selecting, seasoning, and using cast iron to cook, and even feature a first-time buyer's guide to help people make the best selection for their first cast iron pieces. One of the things that makes people the most nervous about cast-iron cooking is seasoning the pan, and she offers a lazy girl's seasoning tutorial that helps people do a weeknight quick seasoning.
Keno lives in Washington with her husband and sons. In addition to her food blogging and cookbook writing, she offers freelance food photography, food writing, recipe development, speaking engagements, and more. “The Cast Iron Queen” blogs weekly on Homemade Home featuring a multitude of recipes and food-related tips. Hungry for more information, then visit the site at: https://homemadehome.com/
