Are you a camp cook who’s looking for new ways to bring excitement to your dishes? Look no further! With these 6 easy tips for using leftovers at camp, you’ll be able to come up with creative and delicious recipes. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complex techniques – just a little bit of culinary imagination. So get ready to find out how you can turn those unassuming leftovers into the star of the show at your next outdoor meal!
Cooking with leftovers is a necessity for me. Sometimes it’s because I’m miles away from a grocery store to pick up new supplies. Sometimes it’s because I have limited packing space and need to make the most of everything I bring. But most often, it’s because I am on a budget and need to stretch my dollar as far as it will go. Here are 6 tips I have learned in my experimentations!
Tip #1 Using Leftovers at Camp: These aren’t leftovers. These are ingredients.
Probably the most important tip I can share is to change your mindset when it comes to cooking with food from previous meals. These aren’t boring leftovers… these are ingredients for your next culinary creation!
As a savvy outdoor cook, I’m always on the lookout for ways to repurpose ingredients and create delicious, inventive meals. After all, who wants to waste perfectly good food? Whether using last night’s baguette to make a scrumptious sandwich or turning unused venison into mouthwatering post-hike nachos, I love the challenge of creating something new and exciting.
Tip #2 for Using Leftovers at Camp: Start with the Protein
Creating delicious meals while keeping my body fueled for outdoor activities is my ultimate goal. That’s why I always start my culinary planning by thinking about how I can repurpose proteins between dishes. Protein is essential to keeping me energized during everything I love, from hikes to ski trips, but that doesn’t mean I have to sacrifice taste. I love taking flavors I enjoy and applying them to different dishes, just like when I went on a seaside adventure. On the first night, I whipped up a delicious lime ginger dish with local shrimp for an appetizer. On day two, I turned the leftover shrimp into a mouthwatering curry with a crispy rice cake. Everyone loved them so much they didn’t even realize it was made from leftovers!
Tip #3 Using Leftovers at Camp: Change up the Meal
Often people can get caught in the trap of thinking that they need only to use dinner leftovers to make another dinner or what was not eaten at lunch to make another lunch. Not so! Any ingredient can be used for any meal. Take the risotto you ate for dinner to create a base for a yummy breakfast dish. Or conversely, make doughnuts from dessert from leftover breakfast french toast.
Tip #4 Using Leftovers at Camp: Add in Fresh Ingredients
Don’t forget healthier options while at camp. Sweet fruits and crispy vegetables are a great canvas for leftover ingredients. Plus, who doesn’t love something light and fresh while enjoying the beauty of nature? Add some greens to make a lunchtime salad, or use freshly foraged berries to make a sauce for leftover game.
Tip #5 Using Leftovers at Camp: Think Pasta…
One of the simplest ways to repurpose food from a previous meal is to transform the leftover ingredients into a yummy pasta dish… just add noodles!
I always pack some dried pasta in my camping supplies. Not only is it a lightweight option to have on hand, but it can also be a lifesaver in emergency situations or when your trip gets unexpectedly extended. But don’t just settle for boring pasta with sauce. Get creative with your leftover veggies and proteins – your guests will appreciate ragu from last night’s carrots or pesto from leftover Brussels sprouts.
Meat or beans can also elevate your sauce or be the delicious filling for stuffed pasta like ravioli or tortellini. For example, I recently attended a tasting menu dinner at Nome Italiano at home in Bend, Oregon. There was so much tasty food that I had to grab a box for the last course – short ribs. No worries! The meat was easily re-purposed into a divine ravioli filling for a post-skiing lunch the next day.
Tip #6 Using Leftovers at Camp: … Or Maybe Soup
Soups are one of my favorite outdoor meals. With just a few simple steps, you can transform your veggies, grains, and meats into hearty and delicious meals that everyone will love. Plus, they are great to make if you’re short on time! Don’t believe me? Try out my Powder Day Creamy Chicken Chili recipe, which uses pre-cooked ingredients for a quick and savory meal.
So never underestimate the power of a simple pot of leftovers! Take advantage of what you have and be creative. Use your favorite flavors to come up with dishes that everyone at camp is sure to enjoy. Not only will it make packing easier, but you can save time and money while at the same time getting creative with your outdoor cuisine.
