Campfire Chocolate Cake

A few postings back, I presented my KISS (Keep It Simple Silly!) version of Dutch Oven Biscuits and Stew. As it turned out, it was by far the most popular posting of this blog. I'm not sure if it was because of the looks of it in the oven was so delicious looking or if it was in it's simplicity!

I'm going with simplicity (even though it IS delicious too) But in keeping with the "simple" theme, here's the perfect dessert! Dutch Oven Chocolate Cake! Of course you may need to invest in a second Dutch Oven.......can't see a problem there!

SO here it is

Dutch Oven Chocolate Cake Ingredients

1 16 oz package chocolate cake mix
1 3.9 oz package instant chocolate pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

     Lightly oil or spray 12 inch Dutch Oven; line with parchment paper if desired.
     In large bowl, whisk milk with pudding mix until thickened.
     Stir in cake mix; mix until well combined, batter will be thick.
     Spread batter in prepared Dutch Oven.
     Sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.
     Bake for 30-35 minutes or until edges pull away from sides.
     Allow to cool before lifting from oven with parchment paper.

Remember that cooking with a Dutch Oven requires the oven to be placed over hot coals but not directly in the fire. The lid has a lip to contain hot coals placed on top. Check the contents periodically for progress.

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"Don't Judge Me" Camp Stew and Biscuits

If you are a camp (or more specifically) a Dutch Oven "purist", you may not be able to cook this recipe! At least not in good conscience! BUT.......If you can get past all of that and want some FABULOUS camp cooking, you have to try stew and biscuits - The EASY way!

We learned this years ago. Like maybe 35 years ago, camping with all of our friends and all of our kids and all of their kids!. "Really Easy" for us was not even easy enough. The one semi complicated thing about this recipe is the use of a Dutch Oven and an actual campfire with coals which requires some skill but not much.

Dutch Oven cookery requires campfire coals (or charcoal in a pinch). The idea is that whatever is in the Dutch Oven gets cooked from beneath and from above by placing the oven over coals on it's iron feet and then placing coals in the lipped lid for the baking part. The skill that comes into play is that until you become proficient at this method, getting the top and bottom heat just right takes some practice.



For this recipe, you will want cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew (remember, we're not judging here!) and some cans of "pop" or "Wompum" biscuits (remember, we're not judging here!) get as much as your crowd or your oven will hold!

Are you ready?

Empty the cans of stew into the Dutch Oven to about half way full
Cook over the fire until the stew is bubbling
Place biscuits one layer deep over the entire pot of stew
Place Dutch Oven over some hot coals but away from the main fire
Place hot coals on the lid of the Dutch Oven
Carefully lift the lid occasionally to check on the progress of the biscuits

When they are done....Serve 'em up!

You won't judge me after you've eaten a plate full!

You will seldom enjoy such a delicious and hearty camp meal!

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See You at the Campfire!

Orange Peel Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

Amazing and Simple is the best way to describe campfire orange peel cinnamon rolls. (the name is more complicated than the process) If there is such a thing as being as complicated as rocket science, this would be the exact opposite of that. In fact the actual campfire may be the most complicated ingredient.

All you need is a pop open tube of ready made cinnamon rolls, an equal number of oranges, some foil and of course a campfire.

Cut the oranges in half and remove the orange fruit from the peel. (it's perfectly okay to leave some of the pulp inside the peel)

Place a cinnamon roll inside an orange peel half and place the other half back on top.

Wrap the whole thing in foil and place them in the coals of your campfire.

Depending on how hot the fire is, you will have to check them occasionally until the rolls have baked inside the peels.

When they are baked, remove the top peel and squeeze some icing onto the roll and enjoy them. The orange will add a nice flavor to the roll making this treat a special campfire experience.


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Campfire Chili

This is a pretty good recipe for simmering over a campfire.

CAMPFIRE CHILI RECIPE

INGREDIENTS
2 lbs lean ground beef
1/8 cup of cooking oil or shortening to cover bottom of cooking pot
1 onion diced
1 red pepper diced
1 large jalapeno pepper diced
1/2 a bulb of garlic gloves minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 can black beans, drained, and rinse if you like
1 beef bouillon cube 1 cup water
1 package “Chili Seasoning”
1/8 cup of chives
1 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp ground pepper

DIRECTIONS
Place beef bouillon cube in 1 cup of water to dissolve and set aside. Sauté diced onion, red pepper and jalapeno pepper in pot over campfire until onions are tender. Add the minced garlic just before adding the hamburger to the pot. Stir and brown the hamburger. Add salt and pepper to the ground beef. Add the can of diced tomatoes, can of tomato sauce, and can of black beans. Add chili seasoning packet, chives, and the 1 cup of beef broth stirring contents thoroughly. Stir and bring to a boil. Move to cooler area of grate to reduce heat, simmer until peppers are tender about 20 to 30 minutes.
You can add additional beans such as red, chili or kidney beans. I’ve added celery to the sauté, and poured in salsa or added a small can of corn. You can make your own chili seasoning using chili powder and cumin to taste. If too thick add a splash of beer.
Ladle into bowls and serve with cornbread, crusty bread or crackers. Dress up with sour cream, shredded cheese or diced raw onions. This chili can be served over cooked spaghetti noodles if bulking up on carbs.

Try it when you get to Cross Timbers Cabins or Acorn Acres Campground!

Campfire Cones

We discovered Campfire Cones several years ago while cruising the internet for some campfire recipes. Not being that creative when it comes to food, these things fascinated me. Not only was it simple, but they looked delicious.

The picture alone will tell you there is not much to these things. Mainly, any kind of ingredient that either melts in the heat or goes good with something that melts in the heat. All you need is some waffle cones, something tasty to put in them and enough foil to wrap them in!. Oh, did I mention a campfire! Technically you can make them in your oven, on the stove top (kinda) or in a barbecue grill. My recommendation is in a campfire!

Simply pick your favorite ingredients and drop them in the cone. Wrap in foil and toss in the fire. (near the fire) depending on your pyromania tendencies! Once they've had a chance to get hot and melted, pull them from the fire, peel them back and dive right in.

My favorite ingredients are mini marshmallows, peanuts, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or graham cracker chunks (if you're going for that "s'mores taste). There's no right way to do them. My wife uses fruit which to me is just wrong, but to each their own.

Enjoy them the next time you are building a backyard campfire or are staying at one of the cabins!

If you are looking for a GREAT Cabin, Camp or Resort Get-Away, We have lots to choose from

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