VTStateParksCooks

General Guidelines

Have your cooking fire going when you start these recipes.
You can leave your measuring cups and spoons at home. We'll give you general guidelines for amounts.
We aim for above-average deliciousness, but not perfection.
We use local, seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
If you have a camp cooking question, email us at vtstateparkscooks@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram at @vtstateparkscooks

Basic Pantry for Campfire Cooking

Cooking Fats

These are my go-to fats. Occasionally I will use grapeseed oil or lard in dishes. Flavorful oils such as walnut oil can be amazing in salad dressings or drizzled over vegetable dishes.

Olive oil
Sunflower oil
Butter
Toasted sesame oil

Spices

I buy these in very small quantities from the bulk section of a nearby co-op and replenish as needed. That way you can create an inexpensive but extensive spice cabinet and you can be sure that the spices you're using are fresh.

Sea salt*
Smoked salt*
Black pepper in a pepper grinder*
Smoked paprika*
Chipotle powder*
Ancho chili powder
Onion powder
Garlic powder*
Bay leaves
Mustard powder
Mushroom powder*
Celery seed*
Coriander
Caraway seed
Cumin
Dill weed
Fennel seed
Cinnamon*
Nutmeg
Allspice*

* If I could only choose 10 spices, these would be it!

Unrefrigerated Liquids & Canned Goods

Honey
Maple syrup (it's good to refrigerate in the long haul but it's okay to leave out for a few days.)
Molasses
Dijon mustard (the smooth kind, not the kind with seeds.)
Tamari (very much like soy sauce, but gluten-free.)
White wine vinegar
Red wine vinegar
Black beans
Cannellini beans
Garbanzo beans
Crushed tomatoes

Produce

I purchase nearly all produce for specific meals, or I plan meals around the produce that looks the most incredible at the farmers' market. There's very little that I always keep on hand. Here are the exceptions:

Garlic
Shallots
Onions
Lemons
Limes

Animal Products

I generally buy meats and dairy for specific recipes but there are a few things that I always have on hand (butter is listed in the "Cooking Fats" section above).

Cream for coffee
Yogurt
Eggs

Perishable Condiments & Other Items

Salsa
Mayo
Corn tortillas

Basic Equipment for Campfire Cooking

With these items around you'll have an easy time making delicious food over a campfire. (Items used for eating or drinking, such as flatware and dishes, and items used for cleaning dishes are not included on this list.

Very long, heavy duty tongs
Suede or silicone hot mittts
Heavy-duty spatula for turning things on a grate.
Large supply of aluminum foil, at leant one of heavy duty.
Dutch oven
12-inch skillet
2 small pots
2 medium pots
8 - 10" chef knife
Paring knife
Vegetable peeler
2 cutting boards
Colander
Can opener
Mason jars, both pint and quart sizes
Ziploc bags
Cheesecloth
Microplane grater

Advanced Equipment for Campfire Cooking

If you want to have a great deal of flexibility in your campfire cooking and take your dishes to the next level, you might try:

Mortar & pestle
Filet knife

VTStateParksCooks