Time to Eat

Good times at the cabin often revolve around good eats. While some of your family’s favorite memories may include epic food failures, as a cabin owner, you want to be able to feed friends and family terrific meals without too much fuss. It’s summertime: The eating should be easy. Campfire Cooking Summer weather, a beautiful setting and fewer dishes to wash: You can enjoy it all when cooking over a campfire. From traditional favorites like s’mores and hot dogs to more adventurous eats, you can make it work outside given the right ingredients. Pick a cooking method. Roasting sticks, forks or skewers are the perfect tools for cooking some foods. Heavy-duty aluminum foil can be used to create packets that seal in steam while cooking directly on the coals. Investing in a large cast-iron kettle will allow you to cook a variety of foods in an open fire. If you’re really enamored with campfire cooking, you can set up a rotisserie spit or tri-pod to hang a kettle over the flames. A grill or grate can be set over the fire, as can a cast-iron skillet.

• Go out on a limb. A quick search online will reveal plenty of campfire recipes beyond boring burgers.
• Share the work. Set out the prepared ingredients and let guests create their own meals. This individualization works especially well with meals cooked in foil packets. Each person can modify the ingredients according to personal preference.
• Give your fire time to settle down. Hot coals and glowing embers are better for cooking than blazing flames.
• Use dry, seasoned hardwood if possible for a cooking fire.
• Keep it safe and legal. Before you light a fire, make sure you understand your local regulations for campfires. You may need to acquire a permit for your fire. You must supervise children around campfires. Do not throw anything non-combustible into a fire. The Forest Service offers other safety tips for campfires.

Pack a Perfect Picnic Eating outside at your cabin is fun, but for a change in scenery, plan a picnic that can take you farther afield. Here are a few ideas for your next outing:

• Pick your destination. Where you go for your picnic can make a difference in your menu. If you have to hike into your picnic spot, you don’t want to lug a big cooler. But if you’ll drive to your favorite picnic spot, you can bring a wider assortment of food, beverages and serving pieces.
• What’s on the menu? A spur-of-the-moment picnic where you brown bag a sandwich and a thermos of lemonade is fun and requires very little prep. If you have the time, you can make your meal a gourmet affair. Pick foods that travel well and can be served at room temperature or cooler.
• Add a basket. An old-fashioned picnic basket adds a sweet touch. Some baskets have built-in trays or dividers to keep food from being smashed en route. A cooler or insulated pack or bag will keep foods chilled. Some coolers have wheels; perfect for picnic spots near paved walks.
• Pack it up. Along with your food, be sure to bring dishes, glasses, napkins and utensils for serving and eating. Don’t forget the corkscrew! A plastic bag will hold your trash for the trip home. For added comfort, throw in a picnic blanket or old sheet, bug spray and sunscreen.
• Make it fun. Leave the electronic gadgets at home and bring along some low-tech fun: Playing cards, a Frisbee, candles if it’s an evening picnic and a camera to record your picnic memories.

Feeding a Crowd Your family may seem to multiply at meal time. Having guests at the cabin means preparing plenty of food. Make it easy to feed the masses by:

• Choosing foods that don’t have to be served piping hot or kept chilled. Dishes that can be set out and enjoyed at room temperature take a bit of pressure off the cook and allow people to dig in when they’re hungry.
• Estimating how much you’ll need by following tried-and-true guidelines. Look online or in a comprehensive cookbook for estimates on appetizer counts, drinks and food servings per guest.
• Keeping it simple. Unless you truly love being in the kitchen, don’t choose elaborate dishes with complicated preparations.
• Saying “yes” when guests ask if they can bring something. If you have several families spending a longer period of time together, create a sign-up so everyone knows who is bringing what.
• Asking about your guests’ preferences. It’s better to know ahead of time if you’re cooking for people with dietary limitations.
• Searching “cooking for a crowd” on the Internet to find recipes that serve large groups.
• Starting a file. When the party or weekend is over, you will be tempted to just put your feet up, but take a moment to write down the number of guests you served and food and beverages consumed. These notes will help you shop and prepare more efficiently for the next party or weekend at the cabin. You can also add recipes for dishes that worked well to the file.

Starting from Scratch If you’re designing your own cabin, you can make it easier to entertain a crowd. Start by considering your kitchen: An open layout will encourage people to help in the kitchen. If space permits, you can create a second prep station in the kitchen. Consider a secondary refrigerator or freezer in a location where guests can easily help themselves to drinks and ice. Will you often serve meals outside? If possible, locate your outdoor eating area close to the kitchen. Consider where you can place a firepit or grill. Is there space to create a full outdoor kitchen? Plan ahead for food storage. If your cabin is miles from the nearest grocery store, a large pantry will help you keep essentials for feeding guests on hand. Will you need a spot to stow guests’ coolers, large serving pieces or oversized pots and pans that you don’t use every day? Designing your home with entertaining in mind will make it that much easier to serve a crowd with ease.