Cooking has been a hobby to many, other than it being a necessity for man's survival. For the years, different kinds of cooking have been enjoyed by kitchen and food enthusiasts and if you are into nature trips and cooking, you may want to try outdoor cooking and see for yourself the unique cooking pleasure it can give you.

Although, the major downside of outdoor cooking is that you will be short of the parameters of a kitchen area, and the distinct cooking materials in your kitchen, you can still enjoy the exceptional cooking experience it can give you. For sure, there won't be any tables, just you and your outdoor cooking materials. This is the reason why along with the thrill of outdoor cooking is the knowledge of what it really is.

Outdoor cooking, in its simplest explanation, is the method of cooking outside the comfort of your kitchen. It is cooking with nature. Moreover, outdoor cooking is the kind of cooking used by scouting troops and campers whenever they go to the forests and mountains to camp.

It wouldn't be outdoor cooking if you're not able to use all the resources present around you. Thus, this outdoor activity can actually be performed in three ways: grilling, direct heating, and using Dutch pots and ovens.

Grilling or grill cooking is a simple method of outdoor cooking. It is applicable if you want your food to actually absorb flavors from the smoke. In here you only need charcoal for barbecue and a grill. Using grills, however, needs full attention since it is an outdoor cooking method which can easily burns food.

Direct heating, on the other hand, is the simplest of the three since it is an outdoor cooking wherein you will roast your food on the campfire. This outdoor cooking is perfect for marshmallows, hot dogs, and smores.

Using Dutch pots and ovens is also another way of doing outdoor cooking. Of the three, this prefers special cooking equipments such as aluminum pots. They say that this outdoor cooking is the closest to the kitchen-based cooking since the setting involves pots, pans, and other materials.

Outdoor cooking has been the favorite of many travelers, whether camping or family retreats. Nothing is more delightful than cooking while smelling the natural scent of trees and feeling that fresh ambience. Once in a while getting out of the comfort of your kitchen will suit your cooking delight in a relaxing manner.

SOURCES:

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/categories/index.cfm?deptID=&catID=91&subOf=280

http://camprecipes.com/

Cooking pleasure depends on both the setting and the mood of the person. People usually prefer the comfortable assets of a kitchen because they say this is the hub of enthusiasm. However, there are those who love experimenting and trying out new methods in cooking. Some, on the other hand, study different types of cooking for their advantage.

Cooking when outside the comfort of your home can be extraordinary. The knowledge and skill could also aid you whenever you are camping or at retreats. One of the most favored and known outdoor cooking is wood outdoor cooking method.

Wood outdoor cooking method is the simplest of all kinds of outdoor cooking. It involves the use of wood and requires your roasting skill's. Yes, that's right! In wood outdoor cooking, you will just simply roast your food on the campfire.

This is the reason why basic knowledge in building campfires is a must in the wood outdoor cooking method. In building campfires you have to select an area which is leveled. Afterwards, start digging a pit, which you will then surround with rocks. Upon creating the pit, you can now start constructing a tepee-type fire.

In building the tepee fire, you must first make a pyramid of short sticks approximately one to two inches in diameter and eight inches long. You fasten the other ends of the wood to the ground for that pyramid shape. After doing this, you can now use smaller wood to fill the spaces between the diagonally positioned sticks.

This wood structure needs only to be lit and voila you can now cook your meal on it! Just by using pieces of wood you can cook bacon, hot dogs, smores, and marshmallows. These are the usual foods toasted and roasted on campfires and they are the actually the favorites of campers, especially students.

Moreover, the wood outdoor cooking method is efficient. Yes, because you won't need any expensive cooking materials all you need is wood and flame. This is also the reason why campers prefer this cooking method, since they no longer need to carry heavy equipments just to satisfy their cooking needs.

However, also do take note that the major setback of this particular cooking is that you can't cook everything. All you can do is roast foods.

The wood outdoor cooking method is indeed an entirely different manner of cooking. This is your new cooking adventure, just keep in mind that roasting and toasting is all that you can do, so goodbye boiling and adieu frying.

SOURCES:

http://www.discovertheoutdoors.com/cooking/article.jsp;jsessionid=COIGBNCEHHEDKAQAGAQBA?articleid=381

Beef is a highly flavorful meat and has a pleasant texture that makes it a hit both for outdoor and indoor cooking. However, not every would-be cook knows exactly what to do when faced with a big slab of beef. There are issues such as cut, method of cooking and yes, degree of doneness. After all, not every one at the dinner table likes their beef well done.

Factors that affect beef doneness and flavor
Other than the right amount of salt, herbs and spices, there are certain things that contribute to how well a chunk of juicy beef will turn out. First, there are certain things about beef that you will need to know to help you understand why certain cuts are better than others when it comes to using a specific method often used for outdoor cooking.

Parts
The cut of the beef is so named because of its location. Cuts such as the brisket, flank and plate are taken from the lower part of the cow's body while cuts such as sirloin, round, short loin, chuck and rib are taken from the upper part.

The location of the cut matters because the more the muscle or flesh is used by the cow, the tougher it becomes. This explains why cuts such as the brisket and flank are more difficult to chew and will require a longer time to cook.

Cooking time and methods
Beef is excellent whether it's rare, medium or well done. For outdoor cooking, some of the best cooking methods you can use include grilling and roasting. Grilling is normally done on an open fire while roasting may be performed in an enclosed space, such as an oven. Closing the barbecue cover to trap the heat will also work. In open fire, meat may also be wrapped in aluminum foil and roasted.

Grilling or broiling time for beef +" to 1" thick:
Medium rare: 4 to 5 minutes per side
Medium: 6 to 7 minutes per side
Well done: 8 to 10 minutes per side

Roasting beef
Allow 30 minutes for each pound of beef to cook for medium beef. Adjust the time for rare beef or well done meat is preferred.

To roast ribs, a 4 to 6-pound bone may be roasted for about 23 to 25 min. at 140 degrees for rare, 27 to 30 minutes per lb. for medium at 160 degrees and 31 to 35 minutes per lb. for well done at 170 degrees.

Try not to overcook beef because heat toughens the meat, especially those that don't contain a lot of fat or juice. If necessary, marinate lean cuts for added flavor.

Aluminum foil isn't just a shiny sheet that you can use to wrap food in or heat it up in the oven. Aluminum foil is probably going to be your best friend in outdoor cooking, as it is easy to carry around, light on your back, and it can allow your food to cook fairly quickly. All you need to know is how to wrap your food, what you can cook in aluminum foil, and how to make a fire. You can simply place your food in foil pockets and heat them over a flame, and you have a meal in minutes.

Using aluminum foil, moreover, can make dinner time at your camp an easy time, since you have little cleaning up to do. All you need to do is put leftovers in foil and throw the foil pockets out. Or, if you want to keep more food for the next round, you can simply roll the food in foil and store it in your food bin. Using aluminum foil for your cooking can be good if you are taking along a lot of children on your camping trip and have no time to do any washing.

One downside to using aluminum foil, however, is that aluminum foil can stick to the food if the food is cooked too quickly. This can be problematic if you are eating at night and can't see if you have any aluminum foil left to take out of the food. Just be sure to have a flashlight handy so that you can be sure to keep your meal aluminum foil-free.

There are many different kinds of food that you can cook. As long as you cook them quickly, vegetables won't be soggy or lose their nutrients. Potatoes taste good in foil pockets, but you can also cook cabbage, mushrooms, zucchini, and other vegetables that won't moisten up or create a mess on the fire. Just be sure to have tongs ready, since vegetables can be very hot after being cooked on an open flame.

You can also bake apples and bananas in foil. Just be sure to keep these hot fruits away from children. You can also use foil cooking to heat up foods such as pizza, sandwiches, stews, and muffins. This can make cooking easier for you, as all you need to do is cook your food beforehand and heat everything up come camping time.

For more information on foil cooking, as well as recipes, look for foil cooking and general outdoor sites online. With some common sense and a lot of food to back you up, you can make your camping trip a great experience!

Need help building an outdoor cooking area? Here are tips on how to go about it:

Find a location.
The best location is an open space that is accessible to your kitchen or dining area. This will let you go in and out conveniently to prepare ingredients and serve cooked food. Choose a location where your grill is protected from too much exposure to sun, wind or rain.

An area away from trees, roofs, trellises and wooden structures is also a good location. Anything that can catch fire and burn is dangerous to be kept near your cooking area.

If you have a patio, consider using that area. A patio already has flooring in place, so there's no need to pay for materials or labor.

Plan it.
Having a plan or design for a cooking area is important if you want it done right. It's also friendlier on your budget since you're less likely to make mistakes. Furthermore, construction is a lot less problematic since you'll have the basic foundation in place before you complete the structure.

Consider the size of the cooking area you want to build and what its functions will be. Do you prefer a simple barbecue area or a bigger cooking center? An outdoor cooking area can be a simple open area with a barbecue pit or a more elaborate construction that includes a grill, cabinets, a food preparation table and even a refrigerator. Depending on your budget and creativity, your outdoor cooking area can cost from a $300 to more than $1000.

Function over form?
Design for comfort and not just style, especially if you want the cooking area to double as an entertainment center. Consider space and size of your grill, countertop, sink and storage area.

Consider your utilities.
If you want to fully enjoy your cooking area, consider whether you'll need provisions for utilities such as water or electricity. If you like to cook at night, for example, building a provision for lighting is a no-brainer. If you will be using electric appliances, outlets are a must. If you have a sink, you'll need provisions for water supply.

Mind the code.
Some areas require that you follow codes and obtain permits for your construction. If your construction includes plumbing or electrical work, for example, you will need to get a permit from your local municipality. Check your local government for zoning requirements to ensure that your outdoor area is built at the permitted limit from your area's property lines.

Modern, synthetic materials have been developed to produce cooking utensils and accessories that are durable, safe to use, and easy to clean and maintain. In spite of these discoveries, there is one material, cast iron, that has held its own over the years. Cast iron is still a preferred material for cooking utensils because of its durability, heat retention and diffusion properties.

However, cast iron rusts especially outdoors and reacts with some types of food if not seasoned. If properly and regularly seasoned and properly cleaned, a cast iron skillet can have a "non-stick" surface suitable for egg dishes. Aside from skillets, other popular cookware made of cast iron include woks, deep fryers, griddles and dutch ovens. If well seasoned, cast iron cookware has a smooth, black surface.

How to Season

Before seasoning, check the condition of the iron surface. Is the cookware a new or used? If it is new, remove any stick on labels and/or surface cover that might have been placed to protect it while on stock or display. If it is a used one, the surface must be free of heavy dirt or rust. There are cleaning methods to remove excessive rust or dirt depending on the material that stuck on the cookware surface. After ensuring that the surface is clean, the seasoning process can be started based on the following procedure.

1. Apply a thin layer of fat ( shortening, lard or oil high in saturated fat)

2. Put the cookware up side down in an oven heated to 220degC or 425degF for one to two hours. There must be an aluminum foil under the cookware to catch the excess oil that has melted off. The excess oil can contaminate the oven.

3. After turning off the oven, let the cookware remain inside to cool down.

4. Use or store the cookware.

Seasoning is an easy and simple way to preserve the cookware and maintain an easy cooking experience for a long time. In outdoor cooking , there is sometimes a limited supply of water. Isn't it a treat instead of speeding time scouring the cookware to remove the food residue you just rinse it out and you're on your way to enjoy the moment?

It is advantageous to use cast iron cookware for outdoor cooking. It doesn't require special handling. With proper seasoning it can function like the expensive and delicate "non-stick" types of cookware.

Outdoor cooking can be a great activity for family bonding, for bonding with friends, or for simply knowing how to survive with very little. You need to know how to cook certain foods with only some fuel, foil, and fire; you need to know which foods to cook on an open flame and which foods to keep away from the campfire; and you need to know what fuels are at your disposal.

The most basic, and easiest fuel to have, is of course wood. You can build a wood fire to keep yourself warm, as well as to heat everything from stews in pots to potatoes in foil. However, not all camping areas allow open fires, especially as these pose a health and safety hazard. You can attract wild animals, moreover, if you don't put your fire out immediately. A good substitute is charcoal. You can have hot glowing coals that you can put your Dutch oven on, allowing you fewer worries in terms of spilled or spoiled food.

You can also bring your own stove and use different liquid fuels to build a fire. One popular option is any kind of alcohol or a fuel derived from petroleum, which is inexpensive. However, these fuels can catch fire easily, and will burn relatively quickly. If you are cooking a lot of food, you might want to switch to gaseous fuels, such as propane. Propane is a non-toxic fuel, but it is harmful if inhaled, so take care when using it.

You can also use solid fuel for small fires. Wood shavings will keep your fire low and your cooking slow, but you need to watch the fire constantly and renew the shavings supply. You can also use hexamine, another solid fuel in crystal form. Hexamine fuel tablets are useful for camping and hiking trips.

The sun is a great source of fuel for your cooking in the Great Outdoors. All you need is a dark box covered on top by plastic or clear glass. The dark box keeps sunlight-derived heat in, and allows your food to cook slowly. You can wrap your food in aluminum foil, with the shiny part facing the wrapped food, in order to cook the food better.

These are only a few examples of outdoor cooking fuels. You can still count electricity if you are cooking in your backyard and are using an electric grill. For more information, do research on the different fuels, and choose a fuel that will fit your outdoor cooking needs.

The Dutch oven is a mainstay on any camping equipment list. Although heavier than most cooking equipment, a Dutch oven can be handy: it has a heavy, tight lid that can ensure good cooking over an open flame. Dutch ovens can be used to cook different things, from stews and casseroles, to soups and meats out in the wilderness. With some vegetables, water, meat, and basic seasonings, the Dutch oven can help make your camping trip or cookout a great experience.

There are different kinds of Dutch ovens. The cowboy version has three legs coming out of the metal pot, a wire handle, and a lid with a rim that allows you to place coals on top of the Dutch oven. This allows heat to be dispersed widely and evenly through the pot, making it function as an oven.

Today's Dutch ovens can be used not only on a campfire, but in the oven, or on top of the stove. Modern versions of the cast iron or aluminum Dutch oven will usually be glazed and smooth, will be composed of ceramic or aluminum, and will have one or two handles. In some countries, these Dutch ovens are referred to as casserole dishes.

In general, because of their make and material, Dutch ovens are designed to cook food for a long time, and slowly. Using a Dutch oven is advisable if you are making a stew with meat cuts that are tough; or if you are preparing a roast with meat cuts that are hard to chew or season to softness. If you are using a Dutch oven over an open flame or campfire, you can choose the models with tight-fitting lids to bake cakes, pies, and even pizzas.

Large Dutch ovens can give you more versatility. You can place a smaller pan inside it, and cook two or three batches of bread or cake. To distribute the heat faster, you can stack Dutch ovens one on top of the other. This can save cooking time as well.

Because the Dutch oven comes into contact with open flame, it can be easily covered with soot or damaged by ash. As a result, Dutch ovens, like other wares made of cast iron, are seasoned first. This means that they shouldn't be used with acidic foods, as these can destroy the fresh seasoning. Freshly seasoned Dutch ovens are often used to cook high-fat foods such as bacon or sausage.

These are only a few handy facts about Dutch ovens. For more information, do research, and experiment! A Dutch oven can be a great companion for a hiking or camping trip.

The sights and sounds of summer time wouldn't be complete without a backyard family grill and barbecue meetings. As kids come from school to enjoy their month-long vacation, families gather and enjoy the heat of the holiday while eating the most delicious kabobs and sipping lemonade under the shade trees. Thus, this summer experience is nothing but barbecue hours through the aid of charcoal.

However, some people are now trading their charcoal grills for modern electric models. This is the reason why certain arguments on the efficacy of charcoal grills arise, but nevertheless, there are still those who prefer the traditional summertime favorite charcoal grills.

These people still use charcoal grills not only because of its financial advantage, but also because of the fact that to them cooking outdoors is incomplete without charcoal and smoke. Moreover, there are also those who opt to use charcoal grills because they are easy to maintain, store, and clean.
Charcoal outdoor cooking is preferred because of the unique pleasure the technique offers. Furthermore, in using charcoal you can choose from direct and indirect cooking schemes thus, there are variety and more room for cooking experience.

In the direct cooking, you will have to place enough charcoal briquettes at the base of the grill to acquire the right heat needed in roasting or toasting. The cooking process is, thus, faster and the food achieves a distinct flavor due to the smoke. This smoky taste is what makes barbecued meats delicious.

On the other hand, you can implore the indirect cooking technique, wherein the charcoals are scattered at the sides of the grills base. This method actually is used in cooking thicker steaks, including that of chicken, spare ribs, meatloaf, and lobster tail.

If you are wondering how the foods will be cooked at the right temperature, well, you must then learn the skill of proper placing of charcoal briquettes in the bottom of the grill. Note that every briquette amounts to a total of 40 degrees of heat. Sounds like a tough call? Well, you just need to practice and remember that for every nine charcoal briquettes you are actually producing 360 degrees of heat.

Even if modern technology permits everything to become high-end, there is still something about simplicity and originality. Of course, the taste of foods cooked in electric grates and those in charcoal are far different from each other. Also, the certain taste of smoke, in reality, is the exact flavor which reminds us of summertime.

SOURCES:

http://www.bbqshop.co.uk/barbecue_equipment/charcoal_gas_barbecue.htm

http://de.essortment.com/cookongrill_rqbu.htm

Knowing that both eating and cooking are adventures means that you must be willing to try new experiences refreshing scenery, new activities, and an entirely different flavor. What better way to experience the pleasure of cooking than to camp and get involved with the natural ambience forests and mountains can give you.

All you need are resources of fire and substitute cooking equipments, and you are one step closer to having a new cooking experience. For fire, you will need wood sticks and charcoal, and for alternative cooking materials, just prepare a cardboard box.

Yes, a cardboard made of ordinary paper can be your cooking buddy outdoors. If you are wondering how a mere cardboard box can aid in cooking, you must understand that through resourcefulness it has been discovered that a cardboard box is a perfect outdoor oven.

Keep I mind that in practicing the cardboard box oven outdoor cooking method you must first prepare the box that you will be using. The bottom of the cardboard box will be the top of the oven hence you are to cut off the boxes flaps to achieve a box with four sides and a straight bottom.

After cutting the flap, you will then cover the exterior and interior of your oven with foil. Foil has been known, and used, for years as the major material in steaming and cooking foods through grilling and roasting.

Now, after doing this you are ready to position your oven to the grill and start cooking and baking your chosen delicacy. You can now actually eat French toast, Vienna toast, and Punch donuts without the hassle of bringing battery-operated toasters and ovens.

Moreover, with such innovative cooking, you can enjoy munching coffee cake, roasted chicken, baked bread and brownies, and pizza any time you want even for midnight snacks at your campsite.

The only difficulty you will face in cardboard box oven outdoor cooking is manipulating the baking temperature. Still, you can get around this problem, just by adding or deducting charcoal briquettes.

Note that each charcoal briquette provides 40 degrees of heat, so it means that it will take nine briquettes for you to acquire a 360 degree temperature.

Cooking need not be always confined in the comfort of your kitchen. You can try experimenting on outdoor cooking just don't forget your cardboard box oven to completely enjoy the adventure and twist of cooking at campsites, while enjoying every bit of your favorite foods.

SOURCES:

http://www.insanescouter.com/t276/webelos/Webelos_Outdoor_Cooking.htm