Have you noticed that when someone you know heads out into nature, they often bring along a bunch of cheap, unhealthy and, heaven forbid, instant foods? As if it were some unwritten rule that a person absolutely must follow. In this article, we've decided to show you not only that cooking in nature can be fun, but above all the fact that it's possible to combine amazing nature with amazing food.
Why should you try cooking in nature?
Cooking on your own directly in nature is a unique experience that few things can surpass. It can be a very fun activity, especially when you decide to seek out and add „BIO ultra fresh“ ingredients from the surroundings (nettle leaves, dandelion, rosehips) or spices depending on the location and season.
Simply put, you're not bound by any exact recipe and your culinary creativity can fully express itself. When planning a camping trip in nature, don't shy away from proper cooking and put an end to Asian instant soups.
It's true that you'll have to make certain compromises. You'll hardly be able to bring a fridge or freezer from home. But since you're already out in nature, why not try something new, unusual, interesting and free at the same time? For example, a soup made from nettle leaves will certainly be an experience most people will never forget! You'll see for yourself that cooking in nature isn't complicated at all, and moreover - food will taste much better to you out in nature.
What should you bring with you?
Above all, don't be afraid. After all, if our ancient ancestors managed it thousands of years before us, it's clear that this type of diet and cooking is in all of our DNA. However, we recommend bringing along some modern conveniences that will make cooking in nature easier. We mainly have in mind:
- knives,
- bowls and dishes
- camping gas stoves and burners,
- possibly also other containers.
We'll leave the rest of the items and seasoning ingredients up to your individual choice, depending on what you want to cook in nature. However, think it through carefully before your trip and consider everything thoroughly, so that your backpack doesn't weigh you down unnecessarily on the way.
Tips and advice you can use when cooking in nature
1. Forest grill – the simplest way to cook
Dig a hole and use a lighter or fire strikers to start a fire. Place 2 flat stones on the sides of the fire pit and wait until a proper bed of embers with glowing coals forms. The coals stay hot for a very long time, so there's no rush, andlet all the flames disappear. Ta-da, the forest grill is ready! You can place any pot on the stones, and you can adjust the distance between them as you like.
2. Cooking on skewers – an old classic
A very old and proven method, which is also used for roasting whole animals. It can safely be used for anything a person catches (pheasant, fish, larger animals). However, since none of us are poachers, it is mainly a great way to bake sausages, bacon, and meat in the outdoors. When making the skewers, make sure it is a completely wet piece of wood. If it isn't, it will burn through over time and the food will fall into the embers.
So how do you grill outdoors? Simply pierce the whole meat with the skewer from beginning to end. Then place it on 2 pieces of wood in a "Y" shape stuck right next to the fire (also watch out for burning through) and you instantly have a spit, on which the skewer can be rotated and the food grilled evenly.
3. Earth oven – for those who are patient
A great way to bake meat outdoors. Dig a pit (adjust the size to the type of food) and build a proper fire at the bottom to get plenty of embers. We recommend starting the preparation earlierthan when you get hungry – ideally 2 hours in advance.
When there are enough embers, cover the fire with stones and place the food on top, sprinkle it with spices. Pine needles give a more bitter tastethe meat can also be wrapped in raspberry or nettle leaves and then everything is covered with more grass / leaves to retain moisture. After that, cover everything with the soil from the dug pit and let it bake.
Cooking outdoors this way takes quite a long time, a whole pig can easily take a whole day. We therefore recommend testing it for the first time at home in the garden with a smaller piece of meat and vegetables. Good things come to those who wait. The result is incredibly tasty!
4. Can stove
To make coffee, a few twigs and a can will suffice. Take a can from lemonade or beer and make regular holes along the top side. You can make the holes with the tip of a Swiss knifeThen add one small round hole at the bottom too, so you can add twigs. Then just place a fire source inside the can (dry alcohol cubes, a candle, twigs) and light it. There you go, place the food / cup on the top part with the holes and you can cook or just warm up your tea.
TIP: Do you want cooking outdoors to be a breeze for you?
We recommend an easily portable camping stovethanks to which you will cook everything faster.
A short summary to conclude
Cooking outdoors is not monotonous and is wonderful especially because, although you have to put in more effort to achieve the result, on the other hand your creation will taste all the better for it. Improvise, let yourself be surprised by what you come across in nature, and try cooking or baking outdoors. If you regularly cook on your trips, write to us with your recommendations and tips. Not only we, but also other readers, will appreciate it!
