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Camp Cooking in the Wild: The Black Feather Guide to Eating Well in the Great Outdoors
Winner of a Gourmand World Cookbook Award! Whether you are a beginner at Camp Cooking wondering how to create a menu and set up a kitchen in the woods or a more experienced camper looking for some new techniques and recipe ideas, Camp Cooking can you make your next wilderness adventure one that bursts with flavor. You'll get here expert, proven advice *The right pots and pans, utensils and dishes, and stoves *Cooking with fire, stoves, and ovens, and safe food handling *Menu planning and food packing *Breakfast recipes, including Cowboy Coffee, Whole Wheat Pancakes, and Spicy Egg Burritos *Soups and snacks *Great dinners like Pasta Paella, Pan-Fried Fish, and Deep Dish Pizza *Amazing wilderness desserts like Dump Cake, Banana Boats, S'mores, and Apple Crisp *And much more! Together, authors Wendy Grater and Mark Scriver of Black Feather Wilderness Adventures and senior guide Joanna Baker have more than 50 years experience feeding groups of all sizes on all kinds of outdoor trips. With beautiful color photographs and their clear instructions, anyone can cook and eat well in the wild.
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 16, 2012
The pictures in this book make the purchase of it absolutely worth it. It is written by the Black Feather Society: http://www.blackfeather.com/, which is in part an outfit that hosts camping, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking expeditions.
Quote from website: "In bygone days, the Voyageurs ventured by birch bark canoe and back-breaking portage across Canada’s vast northland in search of furs and trade with the First Nations peoples. When a Voyageur returned from his first foray beyond the Arctic divide, he was awarded a black feather, or plume noire to proudly wear in his hat. The traditions of wilderness travel foster an appreciation of nature, respect for our environment and develop co-operation and teamwork.
Black Feather honours this wilderness heritage and marries it with the latest developments in skills, equipment and logistical planning to provide you with outstanding wilderness holidays. Our experienced guides, expedition quality equipment and delicious menus ensure that your expedition is outstanding."
The pictures and recipes are from past expeditions going back decades and come with notes and remembrances of past trips. It is clear that this group is highly experienced and has a love for what they do, if I were to read one book about hiking and camping in the wild this would be it. The book provides detailed information about choosing cooking equipment (I had no idea there were so many choices, clearly my skill level does not approach the authors’), planning meals (includes sample menus), setting up camp, including the kitchen, detailed recipes (with pictures and examples of past experience), how to start a camp fire, what to do with “gray water”, what to do with waste/garbage, and details about packing the food (separated out by trips by hiking, kayaking, and length of time for each trip). If nothing else, this book inspired me to go wild. But it was more than that, I feel so much more prepared armed with the specific knowledge provided not only what to cook and how to pack it, but how to cook the food under a variety of circumstances. The information presented is enough to teach people who want to learn as the information is not simply cursory. The way the knowledge is presented, interwoven with personal experiences, makes it very interesting reading. I read the book in a few hours, marking key passages that I will come back to and recipes I plan to try.
Also included, where very interesting tidbits about going to the bathroom in different environments and what to do with … you know (this actually includes pictures). And information on how to pack and prepare toilet paper packages so that the camper is prepared. While this information is not necessary for where I am camping, it was very interesting and tastefully presented.
Quote from website: "In bygone days, the Voyageurs ventured by birch bark canoe and back-breaking portage across Canada’s vast northland in search of furs and trade with the First Nations peoples. When a Voyageur returned from his first foray beyond the Arctic divide, he was awarded a black feather, or plume noire to proudly wear in his hat. The traditions of wilderness travel foster an appreciation of nature, respect for our environment and develop co-operation and teamwork.
Black Feather honours this wilderness heritage and marries it with the latest developments in skills, equipment and logistical planning to provide you with outstanding wilderness holidays. Our experienced guides, expedition quality equipment and delicious menus ensure that your expedition is outstanding."
The pictures and recipes are from past expeditions going back decades and come with notes and remembrances of past trips. It is clear that this group is highly experienced and has a love for what they do, if I were to read one book about hiking and camping in the wild this would be it. The book provides detailed information about choosing cooking equipment (I had no idea there were so many choices, clearly my skill level does not approach the authors’), planning meals (includes sample menus), setting up camp, including the kitchen, detailed recipes (with pictures and examples of past experience), how to start a camp fire, what to do with “gray water”, what to do with waste/garbage, and details about packing the food (separated out by trips by hiking, kayaking, and length of time for each trip). If nothing else, this book inspired me to go wild. But it was more than that, I feel so much more prepared armed with the specific knowledge provided not only what to cook and how to pack it, but how to cook the food under a variety of circumstances. The information presented is enough to teach people who want to learn as the information is not simply cursory. The way the knowledge is presented, interwoven with personal experiences, makes it very interesting reading. I read the book in a few hours, marking key passages that I will come back to and recipes I plan to try.
Also included, where very interesting tidbits about going to the bathroom in different environments and what to do with … you know (this actually includes pictures). And information on how to pack and prepare toilet paper packages so that the camper is prepared. While this information is not necessary for where I am camping, it was very interesting and tastefully presented.
May 22, 2012
Eating in the "wilds" whilst camping need not be restricted to snacks or maybe some charred sausages, beans and bread. With a modicum of effort and limited cooking equipment you can knock up quite a diverse feast.
Are you sceptical? Do you find this hard to believe, perhaps based on childhood memories of school camp? Well this book can help open your eyes and make you see that there is hope, no matter if you are a total camping newbie or a hard-bitten cynical experienced outdoors person who doesn't believe that they can learn so many new tricks.
The authors have a wealth of experience with outdoor activities and feeding groups of all sizes with meals consisting of more than beans and sausages and through this book they set out to provide a useful, educative guide. Whilst a lot of the information may appear, at first glance, to be less of interest to the more experienced camper, such as the selection of kitchen equipment, it might be worthy of a browse to refresh and possibly update your knowledge. For the beginner, this can be vital information and save you carrying around the metaphorical kitchen sink as you travel on foot!
Information is mixed with real-life experiences and opinions so that the reader can learn why a particular approach may be favoured over another. With the right advice you can reduce the amount of equipment being carried yet utilise it more optimally to make more advanced, fulfilling meals. It just takes a bit of knowhow and expert hand-holding.
Cooking outdoors away from the comfort of your home can be a totally different experience, forcing you to think on your feet and adapt to changing situations. Not every camping place will have running water or electricity - particularly in more remote areas - and here the authors give a lot of good guidance about setting up your field kitchen, how to avoid many common pitfalls and a great overview of field cooking techniques. You even get advice on preparing fresh fish and this is one of the most helpful guides to this subject that can normally scare many new beginners.
Environmental concerns and cleanliness are important factors - you don't want to be ill through your field cooking and, of course, you should be careful not to leave litter and create further problems. It was pleasing to see that this important area was covered in detail as it could have been overlooked in the rush to get cooking.
Finally after a wealth of useful information the more experienced camper may start to stop browsing and focus more closely as it is on to the meal planning and the recipes. First you consider the type of trip being undertaken, the area in which you shall be, who shall be participating, the types of food being desired and accessibility of supplies. After all of that you can start considering the actual meal plans and examine sample menus and recipes.
It might sound like a lot of work - and if you are spending one night in a field by your house you could ignore most of it - but you will be thankful you studied this book if you are spending a longer period in a more remote area. The quality of information and its preparedness has to be admired. It is easier to read and then not implement things that are not necessary for a specific trip than to have not read the book and stumble and flounder in the field!
The book also gives a lot of thought to the different types of outdoor trips and activities and tailors part of its advice accordingly. You can tell that this is more than theoretical book learning! When you (finally) get to the recipes you can see and appreciate that they are designed to be relatively simplistic and easy to prepare in a very primitive kitchen, yet they are filling, varied and hopefully engaging.
The book is rounded off by a great index. There is not a lot more you can say. It fulfils, meets and exceeds a need. The information is solid quality, helpful and not patronising. It might even encourage a few "hotels only" people to even consider a night or two under canvas... It might even be fair to say that if you strip out a lot of the camping and outdoor activity related information, there is still a lot of good, practical cookery and food prep advice to maybe help the inexperienced become more experienced. Go find the book and give it some serious consideration.
Camp Cooking in the Wild, written by Mark Scriver, Wendy Grater & Joanna Baker and published by Fox Chapel Publishing. ISBN 9781565237155, 216 pages. Typical price: USD20. YYYYY.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
Are you sceptical? Do you find this hard to believe, perhaps based on childhood memories of school camp? Well this book can help open your eyes and make you see that there is hope, no matter if you are a total camping newbie or a hard-bitten cynical experienced outdoors person who doesn't believe that they can learn so many new tricks.
The authors have a wealth of experience with outdoor activities and feeding groups of all sizes with meals consisting of more than beans and sausages and through this book they set out to provide a useful, educative guide. Whilst a lot of the information may appear, at first glance, to be less of interest to the more experienced camper, such as the selection of kitchen equipment, it might be worthy of a browse to refresh and possibly update your knowledge. For the beginner, this can be vital information and save you carrying around the metaphorical kitchen sink as you travel on foot!
Information is mixed with real-life experiences and opinions so that the reader can learn why a particular approach may be favoured over another. With the right advice you can reduce the amount of equipment being carried yet utilise it more optimally to make more advanced, fulfilling meals. It just takes a bit of knowhow and expert hand-holding.
Cooking outdoors away from the comfort of your home can be a totally different experience, forcing you to think on your feet and adapt to changing situations. Not every camping place will have running water or electricity - particularly in more remote areas - and here the authors give a lot of good guidance about setting up your field kitchen, how to avoid many common pitfalls and a great overview of field cooking techniques. You even get advice on preparing fresh fish and this is one of the most helpful guides to this subject that can normally scare many new beginners.
Environmental concerns and cleanliness are important factors - you don't want to be ill through your field cooking and, of course, you should be careful not to leave litter and create further problems. It was pleasing to see that this important area was covered in detail as it could have been overlooked in the rush to get cooking.
Finally after a wealth of useful information the more experienced camper may start to stop browsing and focus more closely as it is on to the meal planning and the recipes. First you consider the type of trip being undertaken, the area in which you shall be, who shall be participating, the types of food being desired and accessibility of supplies. After all of that you can start considering the actual meal plans and examine sample menus and recipes.
It might sound like a lot of work - and if you are spending one night in a field by your house you could ignore most of it - but you will be thankful you studied this book if you are spending a longer period in a more remote area. The quality of information and its preparedness has to be admired. It is easier to read and then not implement things that are not necessary for a specific trip than to have not read the book and stumble and flounder in the field!
The book also gives a lot of thought to the different types of outdoor trips and activities and tailors part of its advice accordingly. You can tell that this is more than theoretical book learning! When you (finally) get to the recipes you can see and appreciate that they are designed to be relatively simplistic and easy to prepare in a very primitive kitchen, yet they are filling, varied and hopefully engaging.
The book is rounded off by a great index. There is not a lot more you can say. It fulfils, meets and exceeds a need. The information is solid quality, helpful and not patronising. It might even encourage a few "hotels only" people to even consider a night or two under canvas... It might even be fair to say that if you strip out a lot of the camping and outdoor activity related information, there is still a lot of good, practical cookery and food prep advice to maybe help the inexperienced become more experienced. Go find the book and give it some serious consideration.
Camp Cooking in the Wild, written by Mark Scriver, Wendy Grater & Joanna Baker and published by Fox Chapel Publishing. ISBN 9781565237155, 216 pages. Typical price: USD20. YYYYY.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
Did not finish
July 3, 2013Free e-galley from publisher, no obligation to review.
Not meant for the type of camping we do. We do not pack practically anything in the way of equipment, as our camping is for hunting, so trekking back to the vehicle means carrying many many pounds of game. No, I'm not going to also carry a pressure cooker or a Dutch oven. We generally eat cold foods (sandwiches, etc) or heat soup over a small portable gas stove on the tailgate of the truck, we sleep in the vehicle or under a blanket draped over a branch. We don't camp with 20 other people, and space (especially cooler space) needs to be reserved for packing game on ice.
Marking "did not read" because the ADE version expired before I was able to completely determine if there was anything useful to me in the book (as opposed to all the ads for Black Feather).
Not meant for the type of camping we do. We do not pack practically anything in the way of equipment, as our camping is for hunting, so trekking back to the vehicle means carrying many many pounds of game. No, I'm not going to also carry a pressure cooker or a Dutch oven. We generally eat cold foods (sandwiches, etc) or heat soup over a small portable gas stove on the tailgate of the truck, we sleep in the vehicle or under a blanket draped over a branch. We don't camp with 20 other people, and space (especially cooler space) needs to be reserved for packing game on ice.
Marking "did not read" because the ADE version expired before I was able to completely determine if there was anything useful to me in the book (as opposed to all the ads for Black Feather).
June 14, 2012
This is the perfect book for those learning to cook while camping or for those who want to do more than just roasted hot dogs while out in the wilderness. The first part of the book focuses on learning the basics – what equipment, how to plan and pack your meals.
Then comes the recipes. They range from Effort Level 1 to Effort Level 4. What I like best is that these are recipes that you would make at home. It shows how you can cook like you normally do when you’re out in the wilderness. You may not cook their recipes because you’ll learn how to cook your own. I rather like that.
This is a great beginner book and a wonderful gift idea for those who want to spend more time outdoors but just don’t have the skills yet.
Then comes the recipes. They range from Effort Level 1 to Effort Level 4. What I like best is that these are recipes that you would make at home. It shows how you can cook like you normally do when you’re out in the wilderness. You may not cook their recipes because you’ll learn how to cook your own. I rather like that.
This is a great beginner book and a wonderful gift idea for those who want to spend more time outdoors but just don’t have the skills yet.
September 19, 2012
This book is a good overview for both the novice, and the more experienced camper. It would seem, however, that the target audience is definitely those planning a canoe trip with a large group. There was a lot of information and tips to be gleaned for those hiking or traveling in smaller groups. I enjoyed the sample 4-day menu, and the recipes, most of which are elaborations upon basic camp fare, even if I'm never in my life planning to make cinnamon buns whilst in the wild.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews