Camping dilemma: You want to “keep it simple” at mealtime, so you plan on bringing mostly food that requires no cooking.

Unfortunately, this means everything might seem like “trail snacks,” which will constantly remind everyone of hiking, and all the smiles that start the trip…

… soon turn into frowns.

So, what’s the solution?

Easy grilled items!

As discussed in a previous post, camping cuisine should be easy, fun, and require little to no refrigeration. (Meal planning is determined by A. The amount of space in your cooler, B. The amount of time before you plan to cook said meals, and C. Your access / proximity to fresh ice, especially if <cough, cough> “someone” keeps using up the ice in their “camptails.”)

Campfire Tales recommends grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas!

Notes:

• One pan!
• If eaten by hand, limited silverware to wash!
• All the ingredients (except the cheese) require no refrigeration.
• The cheese can be bought pre-shredded (but beware of added “stabilizers” to shredded cheese, which make it powdery, so this is a good “interactive” step for the crowd watching you cook: shredding cheese).
• Optional spreads (mayo, mustard, etc) or dipping sauces (tomato soup, marinara sauce, jar salsa) only need to be chilled after you open them. (Note: sauces might require an additional cooking pot)
• If that watching crowd is impatient or super hungry, sandwiches and quesadillas can be cut up and served in pieces as you go, so nobody starves while others are fed, and there will be less chance of wasted food or leftovers — stop cooking once everyone is full.
• Fun!