Hot dogs, kabobs, burgers, baked beans — even s’mores! These are all campfire food favorites.

But have you ever thought maybe you’d like to step outside of the box on your next campfire excursion?

Here are some great campfire recipes that’ll help you do just that!

Heavenly Fish – this one uses the foil method and works perfectly with trout or any fish you choose.

Campers Stew – ground beef is used in this camping recipe, along with veggies and potatoes. Yum!

Cowboy Casserole – hamburger, beans and bacon over biscuits conjures up images of the Old West!

Fajita Marinade – put your flank steak or skirt steak in this and your campers will scream, “Yahoo!”

What do all these camping recipes have in common? They’re all incredibly simple and easy to cook over hot coals. Have fun!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Campfire cooking this summer?

You lucky duck!

It’s fun and totally “back to nature” BUT, you’ve gotta follow some ground rules to make sure it all goes smoothly.

Here are some helpful tips for successful campfire cooking:

1. You could do stick-related meals like hot dogs and bacon-wrapped goodies (see above). Those are always tasty and fun. Just pay attention because they can burn quickly!
2. A yummy culinary trick is to wrap meat (fish, chicken) in wild leaves and tie it up with twine to give it an authentic flavor. You can cook it right above the coals and you’ll have a tender, deliciously flavored meal.
3. Repurpose the things you brought with you when cooking. Use a Frisbee as a chopping board or even as a plate. Hey, we’re outside, it’s not pristine, people.
4. Be sure to clean up after yourself before you leave. Camping etiquette requires us all to not leave cups, forks, napkins all over the ground. When you’re done it’s someone else’s turn to enjoy the great outdoors!

A marinade adds wonderful flavor and juiciness to any type of meat – whether poultry, beef, fish or other.

But did you know that some marinades are better suited to one type of meat over another?

Once you know the secrets of marinating by meat type, your steaks, burgers, chicken – you name it – will rise to a different level!

Check out this “Marinating 101” lesson from our friends at StartCooking.com.

It’ll open your eyes to a whole new world of marinating. Try it this weekend!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.