Backyard Camp Out – Easy Dinner Recipes and Dinner Ideas for Family Fun
When the kids are young or time or money is tight, try a backyard campout for an easy recipe for family fun. All you need are 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. If not, 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 discount stores, tents should be in the sporting goods section and shouldn’t cost a lot of money.
Step 2) Gather the 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 our shop. Some cards and games can also be fun.
Step 3) Find a flat, dry area of your yard and set up your tent. This may be the most fun part of this whole procedure. Modern tents typically come with folded stakes that are unfurled and swung together. 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’s usually a rain cover that covers the whole set in case, you guessed it, it rains. If your tent is older, it is for assembly only.
Step 4) Food and drink are critical to the success of this mission. 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 children after dinner. Tell stories. When it gets dark, tell scary stories by passing around the lantern. Fortunately, if it’s too scary, the house is nearby.
Step 8) This is the hard part, get comfortable, go to sleep and stay in the tent until morning. Bring the flashlight if you need to do an indoor privacy tour. And the good news about camping in the backyard is that if it gets too uncomfortable, you can always go inside and lie down. The best part is the time together, not the snoring in the store.
Smoked Cheddar Stuffed Burgers
A different burger that everyone will enjoy.
for 4 people
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1/2 tablespoon garlic-herb seasoning, no salt
4 tsp 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 patties, making sure it is well covered with meat. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, or prepare to grill outdoors. Pan or grill burgers for 4 to 6 minutes per side so they are cooked through. Serve in buns.
Sweet potatoes and grilled chives
Great grilled 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 cayenne
2 butter spoons
2 chives, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat grill over 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 the potatoes into large pieces with a fork. Mix with chives. Attend.
grilled corn
Let your children shuck 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 shuck the corn. Grilled corn, turning occasionally. When some kernels are slightly charred, 5 to 15 minutes, the corn is done. Brush with melted butter. Spice with salt and pepper. Attend.