Grey water disposal is something that should be carried out as ecologically sound as possible, to ensure that native species and habitats don’t suffer any damage. The water must be heated to a temperature less than scalding, but hot enough to break up tough particles, and then the dishes must be dried and put away to keep them clean for the next use.
It is for this reason that some people resort to a policy of only eating what can be skewered on a stick and held over a flame. But there’s no reason to resort to a hotdog-centric menu when you can create lots of tasty vittles using the power of paper.
You read that right: paper! It takes a little bit of attention and practice, but there are several culinary delights that you can enjoy using nothing more than paperware and a campfire. Make sure that your paperware is always used over hot coals, not flames. Then when you’re finished, just toss that paperware into the fire! One camp chore has now been eliminated. Here’s how you start campfire cooking with paper!
*Note: It is important that your paper products be unwaxed, as no one likes the taste of melted wax, and the wax may actually set fire to your food!
Boiling Water
This is nothing new, but you absolutely can boil water in a paper cup. Just make sure heat doesn’t come too close to the portion of the cup that does not have liquid, because if it’s dry, it will burn. Make sure you have a pair of tongs to remove the cup from the fire.
If you’re a fan of hard-boiled eggs, simply place an egg in the paper cup you’re boiling water in. Allow the water to come to a steady boil, and then remove the cup and let the egg cool in the water for about 15 minutes.
Eggs and Bacon
Forget the skillet for fried eggs and bacon — long live the paper bag! This is so easy, it’s crazy.
- Line the bottom of a paper lunch sack with one or two strips of bacon, cut in half.
- Crack an egg on top.
- Roll the top of the bag down a couple rolls.
- Skewer the bag with a roasting stick. Yay! You get to skewer something!
- Hold above hot coals, do not set the bag in the coals. Although the bacon grease will prevent the bag from lighting on fire, it doesn’t protect the entire sack. Use the same care you would with toasting the perfect marshmallow.
- After about 10 minutes, remove from heat, open the sack and roll the sides down, and eat right out of the bag.
Fish Fillet
A nice, steamy fillet of any kind of fish is the ultimate campfire meal. With paper, cooking it couldn’t be easier.
- Prepare your fillet with a coating of oil or butter, on both sides.
- Place the fillet on top of a wet paper sack.
- Wrap the fish and paper sack in a wet piece of newspaper.
- Place the package over coals for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillet.
- Remove from coals with tongs, unwrap, season to taste, and dig in.
Wrapping up our post on cooking with paper, we thought you might also like: A Beginner’s Guide to Camp Cooking or Simple Outdoor Cooking with the Swedish Fire Torch!
Featured Image from Yu Hosoi/Unsplash