Thanksgiving Cooking & Autumn Vibes
Welcome back, everyone! It’s so nice to see you again. I thought I had lost the memory card for this video but was found in spring cleaning! Very happy to share :)
Autumn is officially here; crisp air, changing leaves, and the perfect excuse to head into the woods. This past weekend, we packed up the gear and headed out to beautiful Tiny, Ontario. The sun was shining, the canopy was a gorgeous mix of fiery oranges and yellows, and the vibes were unmatched.
Of course, Honey Pie was on high alert and full of energy from the second we arrived. Here is a little recap of our cozy fall getaway, complete with a look at our favorite gear and exactly how we made our campfire meals!
Setting Up Camp: The Coleman 4-Person Skydome Tent
After a long morning of driving, it was time to set up camp. We've been using the Coleman 4-Person Skydome™ Camping Tent, and honestly, we love this tent. If you’re like us and want to get straight to relaxing, this thing is a lifesaver. It features pre-attached poles, which means you can literally get it pinned and stood up in under 5 minutes and it fits our queen-size air bed easily, leaving plenty of room for us and a very happy dog.
Once camp was set up, it was time to start a fire to take the chill out of the air and get cooking. Honey Pie, naturally, tried to "help" by stealing a log.
Here is everything we ate on this trip!
Campfire Oats (Breakfast)
Nothing beats a warm bowl of oatmeal when you wake up to a chilly autumn morning.
What we used: Quick-rolled oats, water, a ripe banana, and real Canadian maple syrup.
How to make it: Bring your water to a boil in a small camping pot right over the campfire grate. Stir in your oats and let them simmer until thick and creamy. Top it generously with sliced bananas and a heavy drizzle of maple syrup. (Note: Don't forget to pay the "banana tax" if you have a dog watching your every move!)
The Drink: We paired breakfast with a single-serve pour-over coffee that a friend gave us as a wedding favor. Such a smart, easy idea for camping!
Gamjatang & Kalbi Beef Ribs (Lunch)
For lunch, we wanted something incredibly comforting to combat the midday breeze, so we went with a Korean favorite. Cooking rice on a campfire can be a little tricky, but with a stable flame and a good lid, it turns out perfect.
The Main Dish: Gamjatang (Korean pork bone soup). We let it sit on the campfire grate until it was bubbling hot. This has become a Thanksgiving camping staple for a couple of years now and is absolutely perfect for a cool fall day.
The Side: Kalbi (marinated Korean beef short ribs). These are thin-cut, meaning they cook incredibly fast right over the open flames on a grill grate, getting those perfect smoky, charred edges.
A Campfire Thanksgiving Dinner (Dinner)
Since it was Thanksgiving weekend, we couldn't skip out on a proper feast! You don't need a full kitchen to make a holiday dinner happen.
The Potatoes: We took whole potatoes, wrapped them tightly in foil, and nestled them directly into the hot coals of the fire. Once they were completely tender, we pulled them out and mashed them right up. Nothing beats fluffy mashed potatoes in the woods!
The Chicken: We brought along pre-marinated chicken and roasted it over the open fire until the skin was perfectly crispy.
The Gravy: To keep things simple and stress-free, we boiled a quick pot of water and used an instant gravy packet. Pour that over your chicken and mashed potatoes, and you have an instant holiday classic.
By the time dinner was finished, it was completely dark and wonderfully peaceful. We turned on our camp lantern, enjoyed the warm glow, and watched Honey Pie finally tire himself out after a long day of chasing squirrels and digging for his ball.
Thank you so much for joining us on this little autumn adventure. Honey Pie and I hope to see you out on the trails again soon!
