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  • Outdoor Cookery | 4-H Family Fun Online Projects

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    The Outdoor Cookery project will give you and your family a chance to experiment with outdoor cooking be it while camping or in your backyard - way beyond s'mores. 

    There are three activities in this project.  You may space the activities out to be one per week or move along faster if you wish.   No prior experience is needed, just follow the directions, practice, and have some discussion with your friends and family to learn from those around you!

    Outdoor cooking

    Each activity includes a:

    "Discussion" -  please answer the Q and then respond to one other person <you don't have to have a long reply - okay to say something like - "cool idea" or "that has happened to me"> - it is a chance to share your ideas and get to know another family or two.

            • "Lesson" - read or watch the information that is shared, and do the activity.

            • "Check-in" - the check-in is a reflection or a little knowledge check (not a graded quiz!) - you can do the knowledge checks as many times as you want.  


    To complete the project     - please do all of the items in each of the activities (check off boxes as you do them, and you will notice the discussion boxes self-check when you do the activity requested).  Please complete this project by the middle of August.

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  • Topic
    1

    cooking over fireHave you ever been around a campfire that just wouldn’t start or wouldn’t stay going?  No fun…and certainly hard to cook on.  Learning how to safely start a campfire for cooking will be our first activity.  You may have also seen examples of fires that were not started or put out safely.  We don’t want to follow those examples.   In this activity, we are going to work on the basics of starting a campfire for cooking and learning about Leave No Trace principles.    

     

    As with other activities in this series, you are encouraged to talk with others to ask questions, share what you are learning, and show them what you know. 

    • Discussion: "Leave no trace"...what could that mean? Forum

      When building fires or cooking outdoors, there are a lot of safety factors that should be kept in mind, so that we “leave no trace.” What are some things that we should do to be safe when building fires or cooking outdoors?  What are some tools that could help us be safe?  What are some things that we should or should not do?  Think about it, discuss it with the people with whom you will be cooking outdoors, with your family, and friends, and share your ideas here. 

       Share your response to this question below, and comment on the response from at least one other person.  Pictures are welcome!

    • Lesson: Preparing a Campfire for Cooking

      In this activity we are going to learn the basics of fire starting and about Leave No Trace principles. Remember, these activities are meant for youth and adults to work together.  Please be sure to have a trusted adult present…and along the way talk with each other about questions, experiences that you have had, and what you are learning.

      Leave No Trace principles are used to minimize the impact of humans on the environment.  Although each principle is very important, we will be focusing on principle number five, or “Minimize Campfire Impacts”.  Campfires and cooking fires can leave a big trace on the environment if they are not created, watched, and extinguished correctly.

      As good stewards, or caretakers, of the outdoors, we don’t want to cause any harm to the environment. So, we will be learning how to create some safe outdoor fire setups and some simple fire structures.

      Three components are necessary for starting and maintaining campfires: fuel, spark, and oxygen.


       

      Materials:

      Supplied:

        • Handbook and cookbook


      On-site:

      •  A cleared space for the fire, in a metal grill, fire ring, or fire pit
      • Kindling (small dry twigs and bark from dead trees and branches that are on the ground)
      • Fuel (larger pieces of branches and/or pieces of firewood)
      • Spark (matches, flint and steel, or a long lighter)
      • Water


      Steps:

       

      1.       Make sure that you have a spot that is safe to start your fire. You will want your fire to stay contained, so make sure to use an established fire ring or fire pit or even a metal grill container like this. Make sure that there are not pine needles or leaves or anything else that is dry or could catch fire near your fire ring or grill. Remember that it only takes one little gust of wind for your fire to spread!

      2.       Gather kindling for your fire. Remember that we are only gathering material from trees that are dead and down. We should never take bark or branches from trees that are alive. For kindling, we will want to gather small twigs and maybe even some birch bark. Remember that you will want to gather a variety of different sizes of kindling. This material will help you start your fire!

      3.       Gather some fuel. For fuel, remember that you will want a variety of different-sized pieces of wood. You will want some that are smaller so that you can feed your growing fire. You will also want some that are larger so that you can keep your fire fed.  

      4.       It is time to make sure that you have a spark! Matches, flint, and steel, or even a long lighter will work.

      5.       Have water on hand so that we can extinguish the fire at any time. Your water can be in a bucket or other container or even from your hose if you are doing this at home!

      6.       Build your fire by making a nest of the materials so that you can catch and then feed the fire. Use your larger kindling to build a structure that can act as a wind block and also provide extra fuel for the fire. Make sure to also have your larger fuel right next to your fire.   

      Examples of some simple fire structures:

      ·         Log cabin: larger pieces are layered in alternating layers with space between layers for air.  The kindling would go in the inside and on the bottom so that it can help start the larger pieces.

      ·         Teepee: Larger pieces tip into the center leaning up against each other, kindling goes in the center

      7.       Other tips: 

      • Provide extra oxygen as needed, blowing on the lit pieces, waving a fan, or using bellows.
      • Watch the fire closely to adjust pieces as needed, keeping the fire going, and in the center of the campfire, but not letting it get out of control.
      • You should never leave your fire once it’s started to go and get more wood, so make sure that you have everything together before you begin!

       

       When you are done with your fire, make sure that it is completely extinguished before you leave it. Make sure that you burn all wood and coals down to ash, put out your fires completely with water, and then scatter the cooled ashes.

        

      Below is a short video showing the steps for creating a campfire. 

  • Topic
    2

    cheesy potatoes

    In this activity, we will explore using foil packets to cook over a campfire.  We have a feeling you are going to love this recipe!  Cheesy Campfire Potatoes are a family favorite, and the recipe can be adapted to meet your family's style and taste.   Look for this on page 25 of the cookbook. 

    As with other activities in the Family Fun Online Projects, we encourage you to talk with others about their experiences, share what you are learning about and doing, document your success (take pictures or notes in your cookbook)...or maybe even share your new skills and interests with your family, friends, and neighbors.  

    Oh, and few things to remember before you get started: always wash hands and food before preparation, use safety precautions in cutting and preparing food, and have a trusted adult present!

    Enjoy!

    • Discussion: Foiled again. Forum

      One of the easiest ways to cook outdoors is to use foil packets!  Could you cook your favorite foods in a foil packet? If your family hunts or fishes, could you cook the game meat or fish in foil packets? What about if your family are vegetarians or vegans? Could you cook only vegetables in foil packets? What combinations of different foods could you cook together in foil packets? Think about it, have a conversation with friends, family, and neighbors, and then please share with us here! 

      Reply with a response to this question and comment on the response of one other participant.

    • Lesson: Cheesy Campfire Potatoes

      Materials:

      From your home:

        • 6 potatoes
        • Diced onion
        • Minced garlic
        • 1 T. Butter
        • ¼ cup parmesan 
        • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella
        • ¾ cup shredded cheddar
        • Salt and pepper
        • Cooking spray
        • Foil 
        • Tongs 
        • Knife
        • Cutting board


      Steps:
      1. Wash and slice potatoes in uniform sizes. 
      2. Cut 2 pieces of heavy-duty foil to create the surrounding material for the packet. 
      3. Lightly spray surface of foil with oil spray, and then place sliced potatoes on top center of foil.
      4. Top with sliced butter, onions, garlic, cheese, and seasonings.
      5. Tightly fold up packet.
      6. Place the packet directly onto your campfire and cook until the potatoes are soft.  cooking time will vary with the variety of potatoes used and the size of your slices.


      Below is a short video showing the steps for making Cheesy Campfire Potatoes.


  • Topic
    3

    campfire orange blueberry muffins

    What do you think of when you think of a treat prepared over the campfire?  Oftentimes people think immediately of s’mores.  Don’t get me wrong, s’mores are great, but there are many other options that will delight your tastebuds and feel like a treat.   

    For a fun and sweet snack, we will be making Campfire Orange Blueberry Muffins. This recipe can be found on page 23 of the 4-H Outdoor Cooking Guide.  The 4-H Outdoor Cooking cookbook has a number of after-dinner treats, directions here are for Campfire Orange Blueberry Muffins.  There are lots of ways to adjust this recipe to meet your family’s liking.  We hope that you will like them as much as we do!

     

    • Discussion: Beyond S'mores Forum

      While some may think immediately of s'mores when they think of campfire cooking - there are many options for cooking over the campfire.   Can you think of healthy sweet food combinations that you could cook over a campfire or on a grill?  Are there any fruits that you could combine with something else? What about using sweeter vegetables (think carrot cake!)? Think about it, discuss it with family, friends, and neighbors, and then please share below! 

      Share a little of your response to this question below, and comment on the response from at least one other person.

    • Lesson:  More than S'Mores. Let's make Campfire Orange Blueberry Muffins


      Whether you spent the day hiking and are coming back to the campsite for dinner, or you are sitting around a campfire at home, or you are putting something on the grill for dessert, baking on the campfire can be a great treat.


      In this activity, we are going to, again, cook in foil packets.  While you can buy foil pockets for cooking indoors or outdoors, it is just as easier (and cheaper) to make your own with a roll of aluminum foil.   The foil packets allow the muffins to cook evenly. 

       

      For a fun and sweet snack, we will be making Campfire Orange Blueberry Muffins. This recipe can be found on page 23 of the 4-H Outdoor Cooking Guide.

       

      This recipe is fun, because we will be cooking our muffins inside of oranges! You can use whatever muffin mix you want for this recipe. Remember, before starting any of these projects, have a trusted adult present!

      Materials:

      From your home:

      •  6 oranges (you will need 3 oranges for each package of blueberry muffin mix)
      • 2 (7 oz.) packages blueberry muffin mix (or any other muffin mix!) plus oil, milk, or whatever additional ingredients are specified on the box
      • Foil
      • Tongs
      • Campfire or grill

       

      Steps:

      1. Cut your oranges in half, and scoop out the orange segments, keeping the hollow peel shells. These peel shells will hold your muffins as you cook them!
      2. Prepare your muffin mix according to the directions.
      3. Fill each orange peel cup half full of batter.
      4. Wrap each of your orange peel shells in heavy-duty aluminum foil, and then place on coals or on a grill top. Make sure that you know which side holds the batter so that you don’t spill your muffin mix!
      5. Cook your muffins for 6-10 minutes, or until muffins are done. Carefully open foil. Serve with the orange segments that you scooped out of your oranges
      6. Enjoy!

       

      One thing to consider is what to do with your orange peels and other food trash if you are camping or on the trail.  We realize it feels like tossing food aside doesn’t feel like a big deal - food waste will decompose, after all.   But think about what the environment would look like if everyone tossed their food waste in the natural world.  Talk with others about what that would look like.  Other options are packing your food waste out of camp (or your backyard).  Food waste can be composted. 


      Below is a short video showing the steps for making Cheesy Campfire Orange Blueberry Muffins.
  • Topic
    4

    • Wrapup:  

      Thank you for taking part in the Outdoor Cookery, part of the 4-H Family Fun Online Project series.  As a part of your experience, we would love to gather your recipes and ideas.  Please submit recipes here.  Please be aware that recipes, photos and ideas will be publicly shared.
      For those who complete all three Outdoor Cookery activities (participate in online components) and submit a recipe by August 15, 2021 - you will be entered into a chance to win a $30 gift certificate at your favorite grocery chain.  


      We are looking forward to your recipes!!  

       

      Please do: take pictures of your projects and post them to Instagram or FB to share with others using hashtags:  #4hfamilyfunonlineprojects #nys4h #4hgrowshere  That will allow for us to all learn and grow together.

      If your activities didn't go as planned - remember some you win, some you lose (can't tell you how many things I do wrong all the time :) ...it is OK!).  Learning by doing gives space for learning from every experience.


      Enter your recipe here or by snapping a picture of the QR code below:



    • Thank you so much for participating in this online learning project with us and with each other!  We really hope that you enjoyed the experience.   We'll share the recipes once they are all together.   In the meantime:

      Observe, chat, try things, document what works and what doesn't (laugh about those things)  + repeat... 


      Until next time...