Campfire Cooking: 2 Easy Recipes for Your Next Camping Trip

This past weekend, Tucker and I traveled to central California for a quick camping trip. We spent our time exploring parts of San Luis Obispo county, which is littered with small wineries and breweries! More on these sips in a later post.

I decided to try a couple new campfire recipes to add some diversity to our camping-meal repertoire. This dinner and dessert combo were both easy, prep-ahead meals that hit the spot after a long day of exploring. Check out the recipes below!

Oakley in front of a lake at our camping spot
Our Goldendoodle, Oakley, licking his lips as we prep our meal.

Creole Shrimp Foil Pack

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

 

Ingredients

16 jumbo shrimp (the bigger the better) or prawns

1 large corn on the cob

2 large red potatoes

2 andouille sausage links

2 large limes

3 tbsp Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning (if you like it spicy, you may want more)

 

Supplies

1 gallon size Ziploc bag

8 sheets (12”x16”) of aluminum foil

 

Directions

Prep your veggies by dicing potatoes into 1-inch cubes and cutting your corn into 1.5-inch slices. Cut your andouille sausage into thick slices. Combine the potatoes, corn, sausage, and shrimp into the gallon bag. Squeeze the juice of two limes into the bag (you can throw in the rinds for some extra flavor, too). Add the creole seasoning, seal the bag, and shake until well-combined.

When you get to your campsite, divide the contents of the bag in two and wrap each portion tightly with aluminum foil. I double layer my foil to prevent leakage or breaks during cooking. Once your foil packets are sealed tightly, throw them on the fire (or on top of a grate) to cook for 10 minutes, turning once half-way through. Finally, pull them off the fire and enjoy!

Sorry for the poor lighting in the picture!

Foil packet by the campfire.
The finished Creole Shrimp Foil Pack!

Note: If you have time finding large enough shrimp, you can keep the shrimp in a separate foil packet and cook them on the fire for 5-minutes to avoid overcooking. Then, combine everything at the end.

 

Apple Pie Filling

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 10 Minutes

 

Ingredients

2 large Granny Smith apples

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 pinch of salt

1 tbsp lemon juice

 

Supplies

1 gallon bag

4 sheets (12”x16”) of aluminum foil

 

Directions

Cut apples into ¼ inch slices. Combine sliced apples, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar in the bag. Seal and shake well. Slice two pads of butter and put them in the bag after everything is well combined. Seal and keep refrigerated (or in a cooler) until ready to cook.

When you get to your campsite, double-line your apple mix with aluminum foil. Seal tightly! Throw the foil packet on the fire or grate for 10-minutes, turning once half-way through the cooking process. Once cooked, you’ll enjoy some delicious apple pie, minus the crust and the mess!

Foil packet with apple pie filling
Apple Pie Filling ready to enjoy!

Not camping? Try making these recipes on your BBQ instead!

 

If you try these awesome, healthier alternatives to your typical camping hot dog meal, let me know what you think in the comments below!

campfire with lake in background
Cooking at Santa Margarita Lake

Netflix and Chill…Your Wine! 5 Wine Documentaries to Watch

I love wine. And I love documentaries. So, any day I can watch documentaries about wine on Netflix is a good day in my book.

Logo reading "netflix and chill your wine"

 

I recently decided to check out Netflix, and compile a list of my favorite wine-related documentaries. Each film captures a different aspect of the wine industry, from tasting “notes” to exploring some of the most exclusive wine in the world. Without further ado, here are my five-favorite wine-related documentaries!

 

  1. A Year in Champagne (2014)

If you like your wine bubbly, you’ll definitely appreciate what this documentary has to offer. Filmmakers take you through the Champagne region of France, and clue you in to the growing, harvesting, and production of champagne. A Year in Champagne displays the dedication and precision that the French have toward the craft of winemaking, and tells the story of these rituals through the lens of French history, too. Fair warning: watching the winemakers pop the bottles will make you want a glass of bubbly for yourself!

 

  1. Decanted (2016)

Hop back over to North America as Decanted producers take you to another exclusive wine region, Napa Valley. This documentary sets itself apart by introducing you to families who have invested their lives in the Napa Valley soil. You can even follow one family’s story as they venture into opening a Napa winery of their own. The viewer learns that the process is not for the faint of heart, but the payoff of growing vines on such valuable land can be huge. If the business of wine is something you’re interested in, this documentary is for you.

 

  1. Somm (2012)

This Netflix production features four sommeliers as they prepare for and complete the prestigious Master Sommelier exam. With the Master Sommelier exam having one of the lowest pass rates of any examination in the world, you can almost feel the pressure that these candidates are under as their story is told on screen. Learning about this challenging feat will give you an entirely new appreciation for the wine list at your favorite restaurant. Practice examining flavor profiles and tasting techniques with a glass of wine in hand as you watch the pros master the task in Somm.

 

  1. Somm: Into the Bottle (2015)

When the whole “sommelier” thing begins to sound too intimidating, put on Somm: Into the Bottle for a refreshing, more relatable look at wine. You’ll recognize some of the same characters from Somm, but this time around they are focusing on the wine experience from the average person’s point of view. This documentary will teach you about everything from production and marketing to blending and consumption. Personally, I think this production is even better than the original Somm!

 

  1. Sour Grapes (2016)

Easily the most captivating documentary of the bunch, Sour Grapes depicts the wine industry through an entirely different lens. You may be surprised to learn about the art of “wine-fraud” in this film, a niche of the industry that few ever see. The plot thickens as the producers help you uncover a mystery, exposing the deception, lies, and skill that kept many of the world’s leading wine enthusiasts in the dark as they were tricked before their eyes. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine and watch this mystery unfold for yourself!

 

I recommend making this list your next binge-watch on Netflix, and sipping some of your favorite wine along the way!

Seen any of these documentaries yourself? Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

Fika! The Swedish Tradition You’ll Want to Adopt for Yourself

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is learn about nuances that make each culture unique. Even better is when I find one related to food and drink! I recently traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, where I found a great sip for travelers heading to that part of the world. Enter: Fika.

 

a plate with three small sweet bites
Sampling the Swedish treats!

 

Fika essentially translates to “coffee break”. Moreover, it is a time of the day that Swedes set aside to socialize and enjoy a warm Cup of Joe with a sweet treat on the side. And yes, Fika always includes a sweet treat.

 

Here are two things I learned about Fika:
  1. The coffee is AMAZING. You know how the Italians are praised for their love of espresso? And Brazil is known for its infinite blends of quality coffee? Well, I’ve determined that the Swedes’ contribution to the coffee world is severely underrated. My Fika coffee was one of the best cups I’ve ever had!
  2. Don’t underestimate the sweets. Sure, it is easy to look in the display of homemade Fika specialties and say, “Eh, I’ve had pastries like that before. I’ll pass…”. Okay, maybe not. But still, while some of the sweets may look simple in nature, they are some of the best sugary bites that will ever enter your mouth. Each bite I tried ended up tasting completely different, and much better, than I ever expected. My personal favorite was a cardamom roll…similar to a cinnamon roll, but SO much more delicious. (Check out Bakery & Spice in the Vasastan district in Stockholm for a fresh, homemade cardamom roll, and many other baked specialties.)
A rack of freshly baked bread
Fresh baked bread at Bakery & Spice, Stockholm.

 

If you’re looking for some authentic Fika in Stockholm, be sure to go to Rörstrands Slott in the Vasastan district. This former castle-turned-local-hangout will offer a dose of history along with your Fika. You may even have the chance to enjoy your coffee in the dungeon! The chocolate ball was my favorite bite, but you can’t go wrong with anything you try. They have full meals as well.

Caitlin and Tucker enjoying fika
Enjoying Fika in the dungeon!

 

Personally, I wouldn’t be mad if America decided to incorporate Fika into the everyday routine. It’s hard to imagine a better treat in the middle of a workday!

The skyline in Stockholm
View of Stockholm Harbor

 

 

Hi, I’m Caitlin. The Voice Behind Sips N Tips!

As a kid, my TV-of-choice was Food Network. Sounds silly, but it’s true. “Iron Chef” was my “Friday night pizza” pick (more on that later), and I could have watched “Unwrapped” (anyone else remember this show?!) all weekend if my mom let me. Spoiler alert: cooking shows are still my favorite past-time.

Caitlin sitting with a cup of coffee in Rome, the photo that has become the profile of Sips N Tips
Enjoying an Italian cappuccino in Rome…just one of many sips I’ve enjoyed during my travels!

As I got older, I realized that my interest in food also extended into the beer and wine world (and other spirits, for that matter). Reading the labels on craft beer bottles and getting lost in the wine aisle at the grocery store became my favorite part of the errand. I found myself taking my amateur education in cooking and combining it with my love of beer and wine to create new recipes and pairings for my family and friends. They seem to like it, so I must be doing something right.

To add fuel to the fire, I’ve been hit by the “wanderlust” bug, and if I’m not actually traveling or exploring new territory, I can guarantee you I’m planning my next trip. I have a fascination with culture, and I find that food and drink tend to be the most honest forms of storytelling wherever you go. Sure, you can learn about history in a museum. But what about learning about history through some Bangers & Mash and a 6.5-degrees Celsius Guinness? (More on that later.) Understanding how particular ingredients are sourced, traded, and utilized in your food and drink can shed light on everything from intercultural relations to socioeconomic factors if you pay close enough attention.

Each bite and sip I take during my travels is added to my personal “registry” of flavors and cultural history, and influence my approach to cooking and drinking at home.

Sips N Tips was born with these passions in mind. I want to influence others to get out and explore by seeking out the best of food and drink, and share my own observations of the food, beer, wine, and travel world through the tips I provide. Not only will I tell you about the best wines to buy under $10, I’ll also show you where you can have a pint of German lager at the top of the Alps in Bavaria overlooking mountain ranges in four countries. Yes, this is a real thing and yes, I’ve done it.

Subscribe to Sips N Tips to get these tips, and many more, for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!