The Campout Cookbook: Inspired Recipes for Cooking Around the Fire and Under the Stars

by Marnie Hanel, Jen Stevenson

A campout is a concentrated delight: sitting around the fire, surrounded by friends, toasting marshmallows, with the open sky and twinkling stars overhead. What’s not to like about camping? To ensure that the food lives up to the surroundings, The Campout offers 75 ingenious recipes for camp food, along with advice and tips to take your outdoor eats to the next level. It may be the oldest trick known to man, but The Campout makes cooking over the fire feel fresh and exciting. From bug juice and beans to banana boats, tinfoil dinners, pudgie pies, gorp, and the almighty s’more—it’s all here, with updates for today’s fresh ingredients and way of eating. With recipes that can be made campside, and others that can be made entirely at home and transported to the campout, each dish includes a backpack checklist so nothing is forgotten. The Campout captures all the humor, heart, and nostalgia of making a delicious meal in the great outdoors.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Nonfiction, Travel, Culinary, Nature

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 29, 2018

About the author

Marnie Hanel is the coauthor of The Snowy Cabin Cookbook; Summer: A Cookbook; The Campout Cookbook; and The Picnic, winner of the 2016 IACP Award for Best General Cookbook. Hanel is a journalist who writes about the wild, wonderful way we live. Her essays and articles have been published by The New York Times Magazine, Food & Wine, and Vanity Fair. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO MUCH S’MORE
This spectacular book is so much more than I ever expected! It’s the elegant evening companion to The Picnic, the award-winning cookbook by the same authors. This one boasts 75 delish recipes — all cocktails and hot libations, fire-roasted vegetables, wood-fired skillet pizzas, hearty stews and chilies. Even campfire standards like s’mores done up right with dark chocolate, raspberries and caramel. Can you even imagine? And not to be outdone by the recipes alone are these imaginative extras, per the publisher’s note:

SCARY STORIES!
“How to find a suitable campsite and build a campfire specifically for cooking over, and how to keep it going. Stargazing for city slickers. A troubleshooting guide. And the definitive packing list and camp kitchen essentials. Just add a few scary stories for a truly memorable campout.”

GLOWING
Plus that cover that glows like embers. 5/5 Stars ‘though I’d love to grant it so many s’more! 😉

Pub Date 29 May 2018

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine. #TheCampoutCookbook #NetGalley

[Kate prefers books to people · Rating 2 out of 5]

Who is this book aimed at? I got my copy at the library. I asked, and so far, I'm the only person who checked it out. I would be pissed if I paid money for it.

For starters, if you use "Cookbook" on the cover, I'm going to need the recipes to be more than an afterthought. The recipes start nearly a third of the way through. There was 1 recipe I might make (sauteed mushrooms), but it's more of an at the house recipe than a camping trip recipe. The cheese fondue and pistachio coconut ginger granola bar made me wonder if this book was written by ai. (Hear me out: "Hey, grock, list hipster ingredients. OK, now write recipes using two or three items from the list.")
The only good illustration is on the cover. The rest of the book is nonsense, but if you've ever needed a giant list of 100 things you can do with a thermos, they have it here. Most of the camping advice is dumb. If you camp at all ever, this book has no good info for you.
The purpose I see this book serving is as a last-minute gift, and I'm here to warn you not to because it will scream last-minute gift.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and thoroughly enjoyable cookbook even for those who don't camp.

[Lindsay Bolender · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected lots of recipes that I could cook fairly easily while camping. What I got was a bunch of fairly involved recipes that are for home cooking OR camping. But they do look good. I might try some of them someday.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

And yet another book to add to my wishlist!! :)

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed a print copy from the library after bumping into it on Amazon, along with Feast by Firelight: Simple Recipes for Camping, Cabins, and the Great Outdoors. This one I may actually buy my own copy of. I don’t rate cookbooks if I haven’t made any food out of them yet, but this one has potential!

Edit: and now I have!
- The foil packet combos of shishito peppers + miso + butter + mint was fantastic, and the apricots + honey + rosemary + elderflower liqueur were pretty good (I'll try again when fresh apricots are in season). [Update: honestly preferred the dried, which I simmered in liquer to rehydrate first. The fresh overcooked into mush, which was never a problem with the dry.]
- The shallot-herb butter is a revelation on baked potatoes but overkill on steak.
- The garlicky grilled artichokes had good flavor, but felt like they had even less edible bits than artichokes normally have. I might try that one again with frozen artichoke hearts, which would also bypass the step to steam before marinating and grilling.
- The red cabbage/jicama/orange slaw is a repeat for sure.
- Oh, and the "quickled" red onions were delicious, but pickled red onions aren't hard to get right so 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I appreciated the camping tips it starts with and mingles throughout. Each recipe includes a list “for the backpack” I.e. what kitchen utensils and things you need to bring to make the recipe. The recipes themselves are interesting without being overly upscale (seemingly - again I disclaim, haven’t cooked any). I also enjoyed the style of humor incorporated by the authors.

Also, the cover is beautiful. The hardcover actually has a kind of wood grain texture to it across the teal spaces.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I want to say that this cookbook is brilliantly illustrated and contains a lot of other content to entertain and inform campers including packing lists, games to play, and humor. I always like to have actual photos accompany recipes, but the illustrations were very beautiful. The author of this book resides in Oregon, so some of the recipes tend towards the tastebuds of Pacific northwesterners. That being said, many of the recipes included variations on ways to flavor them differently by swapping different cuts of meat, fruits, or herbs, which I found helpful. I felt like this book read like a camping challenge on Top Chef. There were some ingredients that the author even admitted may need to be tracked down at a specialty store or two. I would say this is a great book for an established cook to try to impress their friends when camping or someone who wants to add food adventure to their outdoor adventure. I found the breakfast recipes to be the most beginner welcome. I haven't tried cooking anything in this book, but I think it would not be too difficult as all the steps are there. There is also tips to change out tools due to the fact that your campsite won't have a fully stocked kitchen with all your modern appliances. I would say you cannot just pack this book in your rucksack and figure out the recipes while at the cook site. Many of the recipes have prep steps you need to do at home first for ultimate success. For that reason, this book may not be the best choice for people who are short on time as each recipe calls for a lot of attention and prepwork.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, any book that contains TWELVE s'mores variations is automatically my new favorite. Let's just get that out of the way right now.

That said, this is possibly the most charming book on camping that's ever been created. The title is both misleading and not -- there are recipes here that make me want to hit the nearest campsite immediately, for sure, but there's also a WEALTH of information on camping in general, all in wittily-written, easily-digestible (see what I did there?) bites. Everything from identifying plants that will make you uncomfortable to games you can play around a campfire.

Need I even mention the section full of camp-friendly booze? Oh, but yes. It's there.

The illustrations are also amazing. The illustrator did an amazing job here. If the s'mores variations hadn't already compelled me to order a physical copy of this book, the illustrations would have tossed me over the edge. It's just a great, practical book, with drool-worthy recipes almost as a bonus.

(Netgalley gave me a preview copy of this, btw. I would've bought it anyway.)

[Corinna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book- the illustrations are so so lovely and match the spunky, "can do it" tone. This would be a great gift for first time campers, but definitely sets high (and maybe very unmanageable) expectations for the camping culinary experience high.

I picked this book up at the library in Hope's I could bring it into my classroom for our yearly camping trip planning. There are great tips in addition to the recipes!

[Leigh R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do a lot of cooking and still thought most of the recipes were too complex for camping, especially with kids. They require a fair amount of ingredients (or access to a farmer's market) and/or prepwork before leaving. Maybe others will enjoy it, but my family needs things that come together a little more quickly and easily.

[Kris Rafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some familiar favorites (chili, biscuits, fried fish) and some new ideas (jello shots, cinnamon rolls, and Mexican recipes.) Relatively complicated recipes make me think this is for a cook that doesn't mind spending most of their day in camp in the camp kitchen, and kids aren't involved, or the kids are willing to eat "adult" food. While everyone is canoeing and hiking, the cook is kneading dough, etc. If you expect meals that are quick and pre-prepared, this isn't the cookbook, but wow, these recipes are mouthwatering, inventive and I'd love to bring someone along to prepare these meals while I"m having fun at camp. Since that's not going to happen, I'm cooking them in my kitchen. At home. Favorites: Chorizo Skillet Nachos (ahhhhh, so good!) Figgy Pecan Crackers and whipped feta. Surprisingly easy! And Yum. Cast Iron Dutch Baby with Grilled Peaches is my kids favorite.

[Amber Mlnarik · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for survivalists with standards. I want to camp and eat with Marnie and Jen!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I am an avid reader, but not too keen on camping, I gave this book to my Scoutmaster and master camp cook husband to review. The following is his review. For my part, I enjoyed the drawings and tasted the recipes he tried from the book. They were terrific!

This is an excellent book that just happens to be a cookbook. It will satisfy the newcomer to preparing meals in the out of doors to those hearty souls that do that sort of thing on a regular basis. The authors obviously have many years of experience and offer tips that only those that have learned them the hard way would know to pass along.

A thorough packing list is provided, should that be needed to get you started, or to complete your existing cook set. Throughout the book are whimsical cartoon drawings and humorous anecdotes. The authors also provide items to keep you entertained around the campfire and activities to help make the entire outing enjoyable.

The recipes offered cover every meal of the day as well as snacks for extra excursions between meals. Taking your dog? Treats for them are provided too. The first recipe that jumped out to me was the Bulgogi Beef Jerky. As a regular consumer of jerky and someone that makes his own on occasion, my taste buds began to dance as I read the ingredient list for this one. The flavor was subtle, not overpowering as one might expect. This was a very enjoyable treat during a hike after making some.

Next up was one of my favorite meals, pork chops. I made the Bone-in Pork Chops with Fresh Sage, Onions and Apples during a winter campout. I should have brought enough to make a double batch as everyone wanted at least seconds. The flavors were bright, and married together perfectly. It will become a staple in my rotation of regular recipes to make on campouts.

What I like most about this book is the variety of cooking methods offered. From foil wrapped to skillet to dutch oven, there is something for everyone. Simple instructions for each recipe will give confidence to attempt them, especially for the beginner. I couldn't give this cookbook a higher recommendation.

A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Artisan Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not quite glamping but it is also not wilderness camping. Take the car and don't park to far away from your chosen site. Carrying that cast iron skillet will be tiresome. Both authors are accomplished writers of food and travel camping. Recipes are quite industrious. Much information is provided to make your trip to enjoy nature a great success. Suggestions on what to pack and how to do it efficiently. My favorite tip was to use the ring from a mason jar in for frying a perfectly round egg. I also like the idea of using a tackle box for carrying spices and other small food prep necessities. More than you would ever expect from a camping cookbook........................

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more than a cookbook, this is a fantastic resource for a camper at any experience level. This book covers everything from how to pack your cooler, building a fire, and cooking with coals to recipes like cinnamon rolls and egg sandwiches. For those who, like me, aren’t into campfire cooking much past hot dogs and s’mores, there are several trail mix and cocktail recipes to choose from.
I wish I had had this book for my very first camping trip but you can be sure it will be with me on the next one.

[Celina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The recipes are way over the top—I draw the line at chopping vegetables or herbs at the campsite—but the can-do spirit of the book still inspired me to step up my camp cooking game a little next time. The general tips on everything from organizing the camp kitchen to car games for the drive in are well worth the reading time.

[Victoria Peipert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard review because there was so much I loved about this book but there were some missteps that I felt were pretty critical.

+beautiful illustrations
+mouth watering recipes
+very well written directions and supplemental content
-no images
-cumbersome recipes

[Hanabi Tensaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book had some nice tips and funny little inserts, this book is geared towards those campers who can waste $500 on "The ultimate camp kitchen" and $100 on a "collapsible trolley". The recipes in it are also geared towards those with money to spend on higher end ingredients.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed looking through this beautiful cookbook (the illustrations are so cute!), but the recipes are definitely too complex for the type of camping my friends and I do. We might give some of the s'mores variations a shot though!

[Sandie Nease · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for Christmas and the first thing I noticed was the feel of the covers. It’s faux wood grain and embossed decorations are beautiful. It’s very aesthetically pleasing, and so isn’t the inside. Let’s get into it.

For a seasoned camper, the first part of this book may seem repetitive of what you already know. With how to pack, what to pack and how to scout your spot. But for a novice, this could be useful. The crowning jewel of this part of the book has tips, and tricks on the different ways to cook while camping. On gas. Over the fire. On coal. What tools you would need to cook, how to use them. Like how to get a Dutch oven to the correct temperature you need, for example.

Once you get past this you start to go into the meat and potatoes, if you will, of this book. Starting with granola bar, and trail mix, and other hiking snack recipes. The next chapters, like any cookbook, goes into side dishes, main course, dessert, and breakfast recipes. Ending with campfire drinks from simple cocktails to hot chocolate.

In between all of this are beautiful graphic illustrations. Tips and tricks throughout, like finding the perfect stick for roasting, which isn’t necessary but its a fun addition. I found the national parks hot dogs page amusing, and as a Mainer I am surprised about the accuracy in Acadias hot dog haha.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and will probably be taking some of these recipes along with my family as we explore the outdoors in this coming year, and future years to come.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up from the library, and I liked it so much, I decided to buy it!

I have gone camping any number of times in my life, from damp, February beach campouts with my family on the Lost Coast of California, to backpacking in the George Washington National Forest.

I've been trying to get back into car camping, and I was looking for inspiration to get some stuff cooked for our upcoming trip that isn't just pouring water into a pouch to heat it up. I think I remember seeing an excerpt of this book in Bon Appetit, and I was a little dubious to just shell money out, as often these things are impractical. However, I noticed that the library had a copy to lend, so I checked it out.

It's a great little book, with a lot of great illustrations and a great assortment of interesting looking recipes. I haven't tried them YET, but I plan on doing so soon. And, as I said, I liked it so much that I decided that it was worth paying the $14.

This is for sure oriented towards car camping, verging on glamping. There are a few kid friendly recipes, but there's also an entire chapter devoted to alcohol.

Only other drawback is that it is for sure West Coast oriented. I cannot tell you how tough it is to find Tri Tip in Connecticut!

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't quite what I expected.

For the recipes there aren't any pictures, just little drawings for each. And while some of the recipes sound really good they require a lot of work and pre-prep and this is coming from someone who has cooked ribs for 15 people while camping. There's some ingredients listed that aren't available everywhere and I don't know anyone who is spending time at their campsite grinding spices.

There's also nothing about how coffee grinds attract bears and can be dangerous while camping and while they talk about how to safely bring your dog camping it doesn't talk about how having leashed pets can also be dangerous if they're attacked by something or get stuck, which is why many national parks don't allow pets.

Overall it felt like this book wasn't as thorough as I was hoping.

[Trijntje · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have noted, the biggest problem with this book is not the recipes themselves, but that they are unrealistic in quite a few ways for camping. They are just too complicated and laborious. A lot of them section things into what you do at home and at camp, but most of those would need to be done the first night out... and there's only one first night out. Are you going to cook bacon to have bacon bits to throw in your recipe? Not at a campsite. CAN you make biscuits from scratch at a campsite? Yes... But WOULD you? I would not. Unless this hypothetical audience member has gone on this camping trip to cook, and only to cook, most of these recipes are just too much.

Perhaps backyard cooking...

[Sam O'H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not useful as a camping cookbook. Far too many strange and obscure ingredients that neither my wife or I have ever heard of, nor know where to get.

And the equipment requirements are just nuts. Recipes that call for two extra large cast iron skillets. Who takes that camping? No way.

This is just fancy food that I could, theoretically, prepare outdoors. If I had all the time in the world, a complete kitchen at my disposal, and an endless budget that is.

No thanks. Skip it.

[Lokita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I going to attempt any of the lengthy but mouthwatering recipes in this book, designed for campers with trunk space for literally everything from the duvet to the grill? Well, probably not. But if you're an ambitious outdoor-enthusiast, or just want to try cooking over a fire, you'll love the off-beat and creative meals. Even if you're a newbie camper, this book is worth browsing just for the snark and helpful tips, several of which I now have scribbled down.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was this book back in my camping days? Campers will enjoy this book. lots of good ideas, practical suggestions, recipes galore, etc... I think much of it might even come in handy when cooking out, especially the recipes! The illustrations were cute, but it could have used some photos as well. nice gift for campers!

[Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truthfully, I doubt we will go camping, but I sure enjoyed reading about it. Call it aspirational or fantasy. It's not just recipes; it's how-tos so you feel that if you followed their advice you could camp successfully. Cute illustrations, and I love the look and feel of the cover. Of course, you could make the recipes at home too.

[Scott Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

No way that this does not get 5 stars.

What is the retail price? 23$ for a hardcover?

Are you going to tell me that you can not pull out 2-4 really cool nights out of this book? Two good nights = two lifelong memories, dog.

That is the measure of worth and this book is worth it. It is what it is and what it is is good solid fun.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a really neat book. I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought it might only cater to kids, but I was wrong. It has a bit of something for everyone. So many good recipes, ideas, and other fun things to do whether camping, going on a day hike or even hiking for the long haul. There are awesome illustrations and several things I learned from reading this book. An easy 5 stars!

[Douglas Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recipes for home and away

Most of these recipes would perfectly at home or around the campfire. The clever tone of the writing and the lovely art throughout the book give a friendly demeanor to the book.