Foil cooking encourages experimentation while allowing each person experience making their own meals.
Steps
1. Cooking in foil.
You can cook in foil by placing items in the foil and sealing it. The sealed pack is then placed in an oven, over charcoal or wood fires. It can also be used as an “open skillet.” The best part about foil cooking is that everyone makes their own. This way, everyone can eat what they want, leave out what they don’t and adjust for any allergies. Of course, there’s always the lack of dishes when you’re done eating!
2. Foil.
Be sure to use heavy weight aluminum foil. If you have a lighter foil, use double sheets. You may want to use more layers to keep the packet intact during cooking. Use a piece that is twice the size of what you’re going to wrap. The foil side should be away from the food and shiny side toward it. Do not poke holes in the foil to release pressure. The pressure helps the food cook.
Coating the foil will keep the food from sticking. In addition, you’ll want either a colored marker or squeeze bottle of cheap mustard for everyone to put their names on the foil.
3. Cooking tools.
Use a shovel, tongs or stick to move the packets. You will flip the foil pack while cooking. Some flip a lot, some only once or twice to make sure everything is exposed to heat. Gloves are needed because everything will be hot. Make sure you have work gloves or something similar to protect you from the heat and fire.
4. Assembly.
Place the meat first as it takes the longest to cook. “Wet” vegetables like onions and tomatoes will help keep the meat from drying out. If you don’t have these, add a bit of water or oil to the pack.
Hard, raw vegetables like carrots also take a long time to cook.
5. Fold foil.
When you plan to seal your food in the foil, fold two opposite ends together and fold them down several times. Make sure your folds are tight. Then, take the open ends and fold them together at least twice. Allow room for expansion during cooking. The expansion will be your indicator that the food is cooked inside.
You can also make an “envelope” by sealing three edges, then put everything in and seal the top.
6. Approximate times.
Times will vary depending on the amount and type of food in the pack, the heat from the fire / grill, etc. Generally, meat should take about 10-30 minutes. When you think it might be done, carefully open the packet and check. Be careful opening as the released steam can easily burn you. If it doesn’t look done, rewrap and put it back into the heat. It’s better to “over” cook than undercook.
7. Make it faster.
Kids may have a harder time waiting for their food, so adjust what you plan to cook. You can shorten this time by purchasing canned vegetables instead of raw ones. Also, purchasing pre-cooked meat like hamburgers and hot dogs can help speed up the cooking time. As you experiment, track what works for shortening cooking time so you can use these ideas again.
8. Recipes.
Due to the seemingly unlimited amount of recipes available online, links are provided below to allow you to choose those recipes that you find most appealing.
9. Flavor.
Butter can add flavor to your food. In addition, you can use a variety of spices to help improve the taste of the food. Experiment with some of your favorite spices and adjust the recipes you are trying to one you enjoy even more!
10. Cook.
Practice cooking a variety of different items in your foil pack. From meals to desserts, you can try a lot of different recipes.
Sites to Explore
- www.artofmanliness.com/2010/07/20/cooking-around-the-campfire-9-easy-and-delicious-foil-packet-recipes
- www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/50-things-to-grill-in-foil/index.html
- www.boondockers-used-sports.com/foil-cooking.html
- www.bettycrocker.com/tips/tipslibrary/cooking-tips/favorite-foil-pack
- www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/809082/packet-meals-cooking-in-foil-packets
- www.makeandtakes.com/summer-camp-for-kids-tinfoil-dinners
- www.campingroadtrip.com/outdoor-living-newsletter-november-2012/tips-and-recipes-for-campfire-foil-cooking
- usscouts.org/cooking/cook_03.asp
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