Search Results for: blog ready set grill marinated steaks and chocolate burritos

Campfire Smorgasbord

Summer is primetime for family campouts. But, just as important as the tents and bug spray (or in some cases, more important), happy campers need great eats to sustain themselves in the Mother Nature. The following super simple recipes are among my favorite campout culinary treats: CAMPFIRE TACOS Ingredients: Individual bags of Fritos Cooked taco meat Shredded cheese Shredded lettuce Diced tomatoes Diced onions Sour cream Salsa Directions: Crush up Fritos in its sealed bag. Open bag and add taco meat and fixings on top of the crushed Fritos and eat from the bag. OMELETS IN A BAG Ingredients: Large … Continue reading →

Dining in the Woods—Campfire Cookies and Ice Cream in a Bag

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. That’s the way I feel about summer. While the majority of students head back to school this week it doesn’t mean you have to put a lid on outdoor activities. If you haven’t had the chance to go camping yet this year don’t despair. Many campgrounds stay open through October, giving you the opportunity to take your kids on an outdoor adventure of a lifetime. One of the highlights of camping is getting to cook meals on an open fire. Kids love munching on anything that can spear with a stick, but they also … Continue reading →

Dining in the Woods—Cooking Breakfast in a Bag

We are just hours away from the start of the Labor Day holiday weekend–the official end of the summer season. For many families the weekend marks the last chance to escape city life before the new school year begins. If you are one of the millions heading off on a camping adventure today or tomorrow you might find the following recipes helpful. If you have never cooked a dish in a paper bag now is a good time to start. Unique cooking techniques are often employed out of necessity when you’re roughing it. Start your day in the great outdoors … Continue reading →

Mediterranean-Style Rib Eye Steaks and Garlic Butter Shrimp

With summer rapidly drawing to a close many families are putting the finishing touches on their vacations. Sadly, winter marshmallow roasts around the living room fireplace will soon replace the outdoor BBQs that have become an evening staple for some clans. Bidding good-bye to summer is never easy (especially if you live in the Upper Midwest), which is why I like to ease the pain by grilling out as much as possible during these last weeks of August. The following recipes make for delicious Surf ‘n’ Turf meal. The first dish is a Mediterranean-style Ribeye Steak infused with classic flavors … Continue reading →

Simple Steak Recipe and the World’s Easiest Healthy Dessert

I’ve been on a steak kick recently. Perhaps, it’s because I am planning to prepare the choice cut of meat for a get together my family has been invited to. Regardless, I am surprised by how many simple recipes exist for a piece of meat that I have long associated with a raise (or other financial windfall) and labor (hauling out the grill and carefully preparing individual steaks to everyone’s desired doneness is a sweaty process). The recipe I am planning to take to the weekend get together is clear cut and while I have yet to prepare it I … Continue reading →

Sizzling Steak Tacos with Mango Salsa

How often do you prepare steak for a weekday dinner? In a previous blog I revealed that making steak in the middle of the week is not a common occurrence in my home. But, during the summer months it’s not uncommon for some home cooks to throw a few steaks on the grill mid-week. If you are one of these lucky folks then you might consider making the following recipe. These Sizzling Steak Tacos are hot and spicy thanks to some ground cumin and garlic. The simple ingredients give the steak a welcome kick. Meanwhile, the fresh mango salsa has … Continue reading →

Mid Week Steak Dinner

Thanks to my generous grandparents (most notably my gourmet cook grandfather) I grew up eating steak every Saturday night. Consequently, I always considered the delicious cut of meat to be a weekend treat. But, these days steak is affordable enough (depending on the cut) and recipes are plentiful enough to create amazingly tasty meaty dishes in the middle of the week. The following steak recipes are simple enough to prepare even on a night when you get home from the office later than expected. The first one, which features beef tenderloin steaks swimming in a creamy mushroom sauce, can be … Continue reading →

Three-Course Campfire Meal

I give blogger Valorie credit for heading out to the great outdoors with five young children… and feeding them there. My camping expeditions have been limited to adult-only outings and even then the food was not exactly gourmet. Of course, we were starving college kids at the time so none of our meals (whether in the woods or in our tiny apartments) were exactly five star dining experiences. Then again, when you are “roughing it” you really shouldn’t expect a menu of prime rib and mashed potatoes every night. Rather, you should aim for simple, no mess dishes that are … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Picnic Favorites: Super Steak Sandwiches and Strawberry Watermelon Salad

You don’t have to host a backyard blowout to show your pride for our wonderful country this Fourth of July. Rather, a simple family picnic can be just as patriotic. Just remember to pack enough mouthwatering creations for the entire clan and then sit back and watch others set off colorful fireworks as you dine on your delectable dishes. Some of my family’s favorites are listed below. The first is my dad’s signature sandwich. It features one of his all-time favorite ingredients—-steak. But not only do the toppings for this kicked up sandwich complement the star ingredient, the type of … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Grill Fest-—Smoking Hot Jalapeno and Mozzarella Cheeseburgers

What’s more American than a barbeque on the Fourth of July? Whether your grilling up hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks or seafood there’s nothing quite like gathering around a picnic table and eating off red, white and blue paper plates to get you into the spirit of Independence Day. This year our country celebrates 232 years of pride and glory. The cheeseburger hasn’t been around quite as long, yet people are constantly trying to update it by adding unique ingredients and tooling with the basic recipe. The following recipes are ones that add a clever twist to the old favorite. The … Continue reading →