Ten Things for Kids to Cook this Autumn
I think it safe to say that summer is over. So, as the nights start to get longer, we spend a little longer sitting around camp. For me, this is the time of year I like to experiment with new recipes and try new ideas. Here are a few of my favourite ones to try with the kids. It’ll keep the little ones happy.
This is my personal ‘Top ten of things that my kids love to cook on a campfire’.
Toasted Marshmallows
The standard campfire snack. It needs no further explanation.
S’mores
As easy as it gets. A Scout’s staple. Get a couple of digestive biscuits, smother some chocolate spread on one of them. Roast your marshmallow and mush it all together between the biscuits as a sandwich. Try changing it. Instead of chocolate use peanut butter…or any spread you love.
Bananas
Open the banana along the inside curve. Do not remove the skin. Slice the banana into discs then squeeze bits of chocolate and marshmallow between the banana slices. Loosely wrap the banana in foil and lay in the coals for a few minutes. Open it up and spoon it out. You’re eating fruit so bonus point for healthy eating!
Starburst
Just like with marshmallows. Put one or two on the end of a skewer and cook over the campfire. once it’s gooey, enjoy. Do be careful they can sometimes be much hotter than you might expect. Starbursts (from the U.K) are vegan and halal. So they’re a great alternative if you need them.
Strawberries and fluff
Cut or pull the leaves off the top of a strawberry. Put it on to a skewer. Dip it in a jar of marshmallow fluff and roast it over the fire. These take a little longer to roast, but it’s well worth the wait. Also, more bonus fruit points!
Popcorn
Use an old pan with a lid. Cover the bottom with cooking oil and heat it up. Once hot, pour in a single layer of corn. Place the lid on the pan and wait. After a few minutes, you will start to hear the ‘pings’ from the corn popping. Once the pinging slows down, take the pan off the heat, and pour the contents into a bowl. Season to taste.
Hotdogs
Get a long stick or skewer and push the hot dog sausage lengthways on to the end. Hold it over the fire until the hot dog is piping hot throughout. Place it in a bun or finger roll. Season to taste.
You could even try making your own bannock bread bun to go with it.
Camp ice cream
Start with an ice cream cone (I prefer to use small ones. Alternatively, cut a larger one down). Drop in a mixture of small marshmallow bits and chocolate pieces. Wrap it all up in tin foil and heat up next to the fire. Once everything is melted inside, let it cool a little. Take off the foil and serve. This one can get messy.
Super-fast pizza bun
Spread some tomato puree on the inside of both halves of a bun. Cover them both in cheese. Wrap them in a loose tin foil parcel side by side and place on the fire. Wait until the cheese has melted. Let them cool and they’re ready to eat.
Sausage roll
You will need some puff pastry and sausages for this. Wrap the puff pastry around the dogs. I like to then cut them in half. Put them in a Dutch Oven (or a pan with a lid) to cook on a campfire. Leave them for a good 10 minutes. The pastry will puff up and go golden brown when it’s time to enjoy them. Take them off the heat and let them stand for a bit to cool. Then tuck in.
In the UK, Bonfire Night (5th November) is just around the corner. What a perfect time to test some of these recipes out. Happy cooking.
Photographs courtesy of MKS Photography.
About the author
Simon Curran works as an Outdoor Activities Instructor with Monster Adventure in Bradford.
After taking up canoeing at the age of 25, he also began coaching archery, climbing, canoeing, shooting, caving and lots more. He eventually became a leader with 70th Woodside Scout Group in Bradford where he was introduced to the wilder side of camping.
He is also a proud father with some very wild kids.
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