Camp Out Menu

I am so excited to take off for a week in the wild! Ok, we are only going to Big Sur but it has been awhile since our last real camping trip. I think we may be bringing the wild animals with us, four families with eight kids total, it could be scary! At least I know we'll be eating well, I always have that to look forward to...

Monday - Mexican night, build your own taco or burrito

In order to be budget friendly for all four families, we decided to bring our own main course items but share all condiments and side dishes , no need to bring four tubs of sour cream. I am bringing fish for fish tacos, making a spicy slaw and fresh guacamole with avos from our tree, yummmm.

Tuesday - Grilled Pizza and Grilled Caesar Salad

I make the dough ahead with whole wheat flour and store it in an air tight container, we can let it re-rise at the camp site. To grill it the heat needs to be high but not flamin' and the trick is to have a tight grill grate so the dough doesn't sink through.

The grilled caesar is pretty basic but to grill cut the heart of romaine down the center, drizzle with olive oil and grill for marks before chopping and tossing with dressing. I even like to grill my own croutons.

Wednesday - BBQ Night, BYO Meat and Family Style Side Dishes

Each of the families are bringing their own side dish to contribute, I am making a pasta salad (recipe to follow) and BBQ baby back ribs with homemade apricot sauce from the preserves we canned, I can't wait!

Thursday - Simple Spaghetti Bake (made ahead and frozen)

I hate coming home to a dirty house and an empty fridge after vacation so I will wash the bedding and stock the pantry and freezer before we go. Things like cereal and sandwich fixins are good to have, but my favorites are freezer meals like my spaghetti bake. Just make regular spaghetti, put the cooked noodles topped with sauce and cheese in a casserole dish cover with foil and freeze. When you get home take it out and you can either thaw on the counter or just bake a little longer, about 45 min at 375. Enjoy!

Alia's Loaded Pasta Salad

Sorry its really hard for me to measure ingredients, just do the amounts you like. I eyeball everything or use what ever I have in the pantry. This pasta salad never looks the same twice!

One box whole wheat penne noodles cooked al dente (means with bite, so not mushy)

Red onion chopped *trick* put in ice bath to take out the bite

Roasted red peppers, jar at Trader Joes

Cherry tomatoes halved

Artichoke hearts marinated and quartered

Capers

Turkey pepperoni

Pepperoncini

Parmesan

Basil

Caesar dressing

Balsamic vinegar

Lemon juice

Butter beans

Fennel

Toss it all together using all or some of the ingredients above, you make like olives for example, but I won't let them near me! The longer this sits the better it is so make it at home and keep it in the cooler, also great beach lunch.