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.

National Filet Mignon Day – The day we celebrate the tender, succulent filet mignon.

Why isn’t there a filet mignon MONTH or YEAR? Just asking.

To honor this day properly we’ve just gotta cook some fabulous filet mignon meals. These recipes for Filet Mignon should help us do just that.

And these are my five suggestions for this BIG day:

1. Filet Poele – using a butter braising technique, this one is so, so flavorful!
2. Grilled Filet with Avocado Beurre Blanc – a beautiful sauce accompaniment.
3. Spice Rubbed Filet – you know, to spice it up a bit!
4. Steak Tartare – looking to walk on the wild side? This is a no-cook option!
5. Thai Firecracker Filet – goes great with Oriental cole slaw!

Too bad this day doesn’t come around every week. I could go on and on!!!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Oh, how I love to play around on the grill in the summertime!

You just WANT to be outside and fill the air with the smell of something delicious grilling.

Here’s a wonderful recipe to perfect this summer. It’s so refreshing with lime juice and cilantro – Grilled KC Strip with Black Bean Sauce. Delicious!

Grilled Strip with Black Bean Sauce

Ingredients:
4 (8oz.) Kansas City Strips
1 cup black beans, canned or cooked
1 jalapeno, minced (optional)
2 tbsp. lime juice
1 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp. onion, minced
1 tsp. garlic, minced
1 tsp. cumin, ground
1/4 cup water or stock
salt and pepper

Directions: In a small sauce pan, sweat the onion and jalapeno if using. Add the garlic and cook another twenty seconds. Add beans, cumin and half of the lime juice and stir. Add the water and blend with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. Season to taste and keep warm.Grill your Kansas City Strips steak until medium, about four minutes per side. Remove from heat and let rest for five minutes. Slice the steak on a diagonal and season the slices with the lime juice and salt and pepper. Plate on top of the sauce. This is a great sauce since it has absolutely no fat. You can add some butter in the blender to make it a little creamier but if not it is a great, healthy accompaniment.

Try it out this summer!