Cold-Weather Cooking Around The Campfire

Winter camping calls for meals that fill you up and keep you warm. Make it simple and delicious with this hearty stew and cozy cinnamon bread.

* 2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into bite-size pieces

* salt and pepper to taste

* 1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped

* 4 cloves of garlic, minced

* 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

* 1 (32 ounce) container of beef broth

* 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

* 5 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

* 2 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces

* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

* 1 teaspoon dried parsley

* 1 teaspoon dried thyme

1. In a Dutch oven set over hot campfire coals, add beef, season with salt and pepper and cook until pieces are seared on all sides.

2. Move Dutch oven to an area of coals creating a bit less heat, if possible. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.

3. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

4. Bring to a simmer.

5. Cover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat and vegetables are tender, 1-2 hours, depending on the heat of your coals. Be sure not to overcook the meat, as that will make it tough.

6. Remove the lid and continue to simmer until the stew reaches your desired consistency.

Pro tip: Roll up to the campsite with your stew ingredients prepped in a bag or storage container so you can toss them in whenever you’re ready to cook. Bag the onions and garlic together and the potatoes, carrots, celery and seasonings together, with the meat ready in a separate container.

* 1/2 cup white sugar

* 1 teaspoon cinnamon

* 1 can of biscuits

* 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes

* 3/4 cup brown sugar

1. Spray a round 9-inch aluminum baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine white sugar and cinnamon in a wide bowl.

3. Tear each biscuit into four pieces, roll each one in the sugar-cinnamon mixture and put them in the baking pan in one layer.

4. Distribute the butter cubes evenly over the biscuits. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top and cover with foil.

5. Cook on a grate over hot campfire coals for 20-30 minutes or until biscuits are cooked through. Rotate the pan frequently for even baking.

Pro tip: This is a sticky one! Be sure you have plenty of napkins or wet wipes on hand to clean up messy hands.