The Covered Dish - Campfire Stew

Last week I got up early and penned my column, tonight, it’s the exact opposite!
It’s around 1am in the morning, and I’m still doing ‘things’ I should have gotten done much earlier today. Seems like you take a little ‘chill’ time and the next thing you know, you’re way…. behind. I know all of you are aware of what I’m groaning about, just a part of life, right?
The first time I shared this simplistic version of kid-friendly stew I was on a campout with my family. We were also doing a photo-shoot for my article in a local magazine. It was a fun-filled evening, until bedtime. The blow-up mattresses deflated, Ervin slept in his jeep, and we forgot to unplug the portable refrigerator, thus; my car battery was dead. Thank goodness for ‘Jerry the Jeep’ and a good set of jumper cables.
I don’t think our son, Phillip, has any memories of his first camping trip to Weston Bend State Park. My days of tent camping are probably behind me unless I have a tried and true ‘tall’, quality air mattress. Currently I’m ready for a nice travel trailer with a proper mattress. Let’s get back to the stew….
Sometimes the version of stew adults enjoy is definitely not what the younger set is attracted to. That’s why this quick Hamburger stew has frozen vegies instead of big chunks of carrots and potatoes. It will travel well, and you can certainly make it the night before you go camping. OR, at least get the meat and ingredients all prepped. Once you are at the camping site it’s a quick mix and thorough heating and you can present a hearty meal. If you are a bit turned off by the use of canned soup, make your own in advance. Make sure when it cools it’s about the same consistency of canned soup. The mushrooms could also be present for flavor, just remember to use the submersible blender, so the kids don’t see any ‘shroons’.
If you are at a campsite a simple boy-scout cobbler would complete this meal.
Sliced cheese with biscuits or a cracker are also appealing. You may want to wrap things up with smores, that’s a definite camping finale’.
If you have little ones at home, they need to experience a night sleeping under the stars. Sniggling in a sleeping bag and listening to the hoot owls. I remember a particular time in my life when I went camping every fall (in a tent). I would goonce or twice while the weather allowed. Sometimes it was within 25 miles of home. Other times it was all the way across the state of Missouri. It was economical compared to the cost of a motel room, even more so today. I got married in May of 98’, we had 2 parts to our honeymoon. Four nights at Big Cedar Lodge, and then 2 months later we camped at Steamboat Lake, in Colorado for 3-4 nights. Guess what, our blow-up bed went down that night too!
It’s not too late to grab the grandkids and plan a simple outing. They will never forget the experience.
Even if you’re not a young person, you will enjoy the simplicity of this easy stew.
If you were a girl scout, it may remind you of ‘Girl Scout Stew’. We had the adult version of ‘stew’ this weekend, but now I think I’m ready for this easy take on the dish. Simply Yours, The Covered Dish.


Campfire Stew
1 1/2 pounds hamburger, fried, crumbled, & drained, if necessary
1 (16 oz.) bag of frozen peas and carrots
1 (16 oz.) bag frozen green beans
1 (16 oz.) bag frozen corn
4 large potatoes, peeled if desired, and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 quart of tomatoes, blended or pulverized
2 cans Beefy mushroom Soup, by Campbells
Salt and Pepper to taste
Garlic Powder
Mix everything together and place in a large crockpot for about 3 hours. Or, you can prepare the dish on top of the stove. Add or take away anything you don’t enjoy. I would be adding onions. Phillip, didn’t like mushrooms, so I blended them before putting the soup into the dish. The kids will like the stew and may request seconds. If this is to gentle on your palate stick in a bottle of hot sauce!
Have a blast at your campsite. I told some students once I’d come over to their campsite one weekend and have smores, boy were they shocked when Ervin and I showed up! I also did the same thing to some clients who were camping at Table Rock Lake. However; I was also delivering sour dough starter! Enjoy, Debbie
*When I’m in a rush or it’s a work night, I have found the Bear Creek Vegetable soup to be a lifesaver. Again; I add more vegies and potatoes when I prepare the dish.