Four cooking tips from Chef Josh Wolfe to make your summer camping vacation tasty

By Powder Matt Mosteller

Summer is here. Many of us have not even nailed down what we are doing yet. Don’t delay. Camping is coming back, old-school cool, and the benefits abound, from nature time to un-plugged, real social time. Find that campsite now but don’t settle for the same old cooking. Get camp ready with tips from camp cooking Chef Josh Wolfe.

What best options for lightweight , packable meal plan?
If lightweight is the number one priority, instead of bringing along ice, bring some frozen meat and vegetables. I usually mix the dry ingredients of a simple dough, like pizza dough, in a ziplock bag and then just add water while on-site. You can cook the dough in a pan or right over an open flame on the grill. You can stuff it with whatever filling you like or simply use the fresh bread to accompany your meal of choice – it’s a nice way to bring fresh into the woods without the weight.

Do you suggest going old school iron?
There really is nothing like cooking in cast iron. If you can pack it or carry it… bring it! For a lighter option, there are lots of nesting pots and pans with non-stick coatings that work well and double as mixing/serving bowls. Woods Canada makes a great 8-piece non-stick cook set sold exclusively at Canadian Tire. It has one detachable handle for all the pots and pans so it’s not only lighter, but a great space saver as well.

Summer camp stove ready for action

What best all-time camp dish?
I love the old classics. For me there’s not much that can beat a piece of beef or fish cooked over a wood fire with foil wrapped potatoes cooking in the coals.

Simple no hassle go to meal for the outdoors?
Over the years I have to say the two meals I’ve rarely gone without while cooking in the outdoors would be a really good bowl of chilli and likely the world’s favourite sandwich – a grilled cheese! The chilli can be made days in advance and is easy to transport fresh or frozen. It doesn’t get much simpler than a grilled cheese but it never disappoints!