Mar 26 2008
Essential Cooking Supplies for the Great Outdoors
Cooking outside is quite a challenge and as such you may need a few cooking supplies that are specifically made for outdoor cooking. These utensils need to be sturdy and hardier than those you use inside your home as they will be exposed to outside elements in addition to possible open flame and of course, being toted around with other outdoor gear.
Pots and Skillets
Perhaps the best material for your cooking supplies in regards to pots and skillets is cast iron or aluminum. Cast iron is best over an open flame, is quite hardy and the food cooked in it usually turns out great. Aluminum is best over an open flame as long as you have a grill or grate to set it down on, much like a burner on a stove.
A cast iron Dutch oven should be the first of any cooking supplies you purchase for cooking in the great outdoors. It is versatile and you can cook virtually anything you would in an indoor oven inside one of these large lidded cast iron pots. A cast iron skillet is a great addition to your cooking supplies too as you can also cook virtually anything you want on it.
Utensils
Cooking supplies, particularly utensils, need to be made of metal as plastic can easily become scorched or even melted. Metal utensils will not hurt your cast iron or aluminum pots and skillets and they are easier to clean, particularly when you need to use a steel wool pad for baked on messes.
Tongs and a long fork are important cooking supplies for the outdoors as they will keep your hands from being burned by the heat and flames of a campfire or camp stove. They are easy to manipulate and work best when cooking meats and when you have the need to turn things over without burning yourself.
A flat metal spatula, skewers and both a slotted and solid metal spoon should be added to your list of outdoor cooking supplies. The spatula is an obvious tool for flipping burgers and other food on the grill and skewers are a great way to cook meat and vegetables over an open flame without dirtying up a skillet. The spoons are important for stirring food as well as for the serving part of dinner plus they make a handy shovel when you need to dig a small hole!
Fireproof gloves or flame resistant mitts plus heavy duty aluminum foil are two final important items when purchasing cooking supplies for any outdoor adventure. Having pot holders that are flame resistant is important protection for your hands, particularly when you are cooking outdoors over an open flame. Also, foil is a much needed accessory to any outdoor cooking venture as you can line a grill, create food packets to place on the grill and you can even ball it up and use it to scrape off the grill! Choosing cooking supplies for your outdoor cooking adventures, whether in your backyard or camping should be considered with care and an eye for durability.
Holiday Menus
(NC)—Try making this delicious Homegrown Ontario Pulled Pork simple slow cooker recipe this holiday season and see the difference a little planning makes. Great as an appetizer served on a crostini, this savoury morsel will save you time in the kitchen while impressing your guests. More delicious appetizer recipes can be found online at [...]
(NC)—Adding new flavour to traditional foods can be fun and be a great way to get family members to try new foods. Indian flavoured products are becoming widely available and provide a great opportunity to create mouthwatering recipes for the whole family. This shrimp korma recipe is a quick and easy one for the entire [...]
(NC)—Mulligatawny soup originally became popular with the British stationed in India (employees of the East India Company) during Colonial Times. When they returned home, they brought the recipe back with them to England, and to other members of the Commonwealth. In fact Mulligatawny is the Anglicized name of two words for “pepper water,” molegoo (pepper) [...]
(NC)—Here are two easy ways to bring some excitement to your next children’s party – Wacky Waikiki or Purple Razzle Dazzle Shakes. For dozens more delicious treats to thrill your child, visit www.homebasics.ca.
Wacky Waikiki Shake
2 large ripe bananas, peeled and quartered
1 can frozen pineapple or pineapple-orange juice concentrate, thawed (6 oz)
1/2 cup milk
4 scoops Breyers [...]
Savor the Flavor Every Day, Every Way
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Skyrocketing gas prices and escalating grocery costs have put getting more for a dollar top-of-mind for many consumers. Many Americans are tailoring their grocery shopping lists to ensure they get more bang for their buck. That means purchasing items that provide the best nutritional punch for their value.
Luxury items like prepackaged or single serve meals [...]
Blueberries are most abundant and least expensive in the summer, making it an ideal time to get your fill of these little blue gems. Stock the fridge and freezer with blueberries to make meals, snacks and desserts that are easy on the cook. Blueberries never need to be peeled, pitted, stemmed or chopped –just a [...]