Michelle Brandenburg Extension Educator Youth Development/4-H SDSU Cooperative Extension

Campfire Cooking Offers a healthy alternative to “regular” campfire foods Can be adjusted to cook at home Nutritious Reasonably Inexpensive

Objectives The students will: Learn About Nutrition Demonstrate Safe and Accurate Cooking Skills Learn About Food Safety Learn About Campfire Safety Have Fun! Identify Various Ways to Cook at a Campfire

Cooking Options On Coals Over Fire In Stock Pot In Dutch Oven On Griddle/Skillet

Nutrition Offer better alternatives to “regular” camping foods Meet the Food Guide Pyramid recommendations Provide healthy after school snack options

Nutritional Choices VegetablesFruits

Cooking Skills Washing fruits and vegetables Correct measurements for dry and liquid ingredients Knife techniques and safety Use caution when cooking with heat Cleanup is everyone’s responsibility

Hand Washing Basics WaterSoap Time Paper Towel

Amount of Time One Meal vs. All Day

Pack Safely Use a cooler Pack foods in frozen state if hiking or backpacking Skip mayonnaise and other very perishable foods

Keep Clean Remember to pack the following: Disposable wipes Hand sanitizer Biodegradable soap

Keep Cold Food Cold The following items need to be kept below 40°F: Meat Poultry Fish Dairy Eggs Leftovers Salads Cut fruit

Cook Food Thoroughly Ground Beef 160°F Pork 160°F Poultry breasts 170°F Steaks, roasts, chops 145°F Poultry 180°F

Avoid Cross Contamination Place raw meats in separate sealed containers Do not use the same platter or utensils for raw and cooked protein Do not use the same cutting board for raw meat and other foods Wash hands with soap after working with raw meats and eggs

Supplies for Building Campfires Wood/charcoal Kindling Matches Lighter fluid

Fire Safety Tips Only put lighter fluid on unlit charcoal Have items at hand in case an unwanted fire occurs Do not start fires in grassy or wooded areas Do not start fires in dry areas Water Shovel Only start fires in open, outdoor areas Completely extinguish all campfires

Fire Basics Log cabin structure Strip wood Stir coals to distribute heat Be careful of tall grasses Do not use aluminum, plastic or glass as kindling Allow air movement

Fun All recipes received great reviews Flexible can change the recipe according to the ingredients available and likes Enjoy cooking Fun All recipes received great reviews Flexible can change the recipe according to the ingredients available, your budget and the tastes of those cooking Enjoy cooking

Helpful Tips Use precooked meatballs and ham Pre-measure and precut items A team project 1 person to watch the fire 1 person to watch the preparation and safety Other helpers if possible to assist in preparation Wet, cold soil makes it difficult to start fires

More Helpful Tips Laminate recipes used in making foods but hand out copies at the end Use disposable containers when possible Adjust foods so they can cook faster if time is an issue Inquire about food allergies and religious requirements