Backyard Camp Out – Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas for Family Fun
When the kids are young or time or money is tight, try backyard camping for an easy recipe for family fun. All you need is a few willing campers, a tent, some bedding, and a spirit of adventure.
Step 1) Acquire a tent. Hopefully there is one in the garage and you can find it. Otherwise, you can ask your friends if you can borrow one, or you can go to the local thrift store and see if you can get a bargain. Alternatively, you can go to the discount stores, the tents should be in the sporting goods section and shouldn’t cost a lot of money.
Step 2) Gather supplies. We need sleeping bags or bedding and pillows for each camper. We need at least one flashlight and hopefully a battery operated flashlight to light up our store. Some cards and games can also be fun.
Step 3) Find a flat, dry area of your garden and pitch your tent. This may be the most fun part of this entire procedure. Modern camping tents usually come with folded stakes that unfold and snap into each other. These poles are threaded into channels planted on the outside of the tent, then the ends are held in place in the ground with stakes. There is usually a rain cover that covers the entire set in case it – you guessed it – rains. If your tent is older, it is only for assembly.
Step 4) Food and drink are critical to the success of this quest. Plan to cook your food outside. See easy recipe ideas below.
Step 5) Fire up the grill or barbecue and play some games with the kids. Lawn darts, the non-lethal ones, are good, as is Frisbee.
Step 6) Cook dinner and eat. Plan some dessert too. Roast marshmallows over the fire or roast some peaches and drizzle with maple syrup then top with ice cream.
Step 7) Play with the kids after dinner. Tell stories. When it gets dark, tell scary stories by passing around the flashlight. Fortunately, if it’s too scary, the house is close.
Step 8) This is the hard part, make yourself comfortable, go to sleep and stay in the store until morning. Bring the flashlight if you need to make an interior privacy visit. And the good news about backyard camping is that if it gets too uncomfortable, you can always go inside and lay down. The best part is the time together, not the snoring in the store.
Burgers stuffed with smoked cheddar cheese
A different burger that everyone will enjoy.
for 4 people
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1/2 tablespoon garlic herb seasoning, no salt
4 ea smoked cheddar cheese, cut into 4 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 hamburger buns
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine meat and garlic seasoning until blended. Shape into four patties about 1-inch thick. Press a piece of cheese into the center of each of the empanadas, making sure it is well covered with meat. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, or prepare the grill outdoors. Cook the burgers in the pan or on the grill for 4 to 6 minutes per side to ensure they are cooked through. Serve in buns.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes and Chives
Great on the grill alongside your favorite grilled dish!
for 4 people
Ingredients
3 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon thyme, dried
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne
2 butter spoons
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat grill to medium heat. Toss sweet potatoes with oil, thyme, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Spice with salt and pepper.
Grill potatoes until tender, 20 to 30 minutes, turning frequently. Add the potatoes back to the bowl. Add butter and break potatoes into large chunks with a fork. Mix with chives. Attend.
grilled corn
Let your children fight the corn. My love!
for 4 people
Ingredients
4 ears of corn, shelled
Butter, melted (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Fire up the grill, then peel the corn. Grilled corn, turning it from time to time. When some kernels are a little charred, 5 to 15 minutes, the corn is done. Brush with melted butter. Spice with salt and pepper. Attend.