Plant-based food on the fire
Campfire cooking has traditionally been associated with meat dishes, but this is changing as interest in climate-friendly and vegan food grows.
Here you can get inspiration for a trip to the forest or delicious food at home in the garden, with three simple plant-based dishes you can make on a fire.
There is something very special about lighting a fire outdoors and cooking your own food over the embers, especially in autumn when the leaves on the trees change color and the weather gets colder. The fresh air, the warmth from the fire, and the smell of burning wood nourish both body and soul.
There is a cozy atmosphere connected to gathering around a fire with family or a group of friends, feeling the warmth from the crackling flames, and sharing a meal together. If you have children, lighting a fire is also a fun activity, and it creates lots of learning and, not least, closeness when we involve the kids in outdoor cooking.
If you are vegan or vegetarian, you may not have previously been very interested in cooking over a fire. Traditionally, we associate outdoor cooking with meat: steaks on the grill and sausages on sticks around the fire.
When meeting with friends and family for a barbecue or campfire meal, vegans and vegetarians often end up eating the salad and potatoes while the rest of the group devours the grilled meat and debates whether it’s cooked just right or a bit too much.
In recent years, there has been a major shift in our eating habits. More and more people have discovered the benefits of eating vegan and vegetarian. Some because they feel it is healthier, others because it is more climate-friendly to avoid meat or due to animal welfare. For some, it may be both. And even more have simply realized that vegan and vegetarian food tastes good and can be a lovely addition to their usual diet.
Whether you fall into one category or the other, fortunately, there are many delicious vegan dishes you can make outdoors so you can experience the joy of campfire cooking.
Where should you make your fire?
In the Danish forests, there are many great opportunities to make a fire at an established fire pit. Sometimes you can also find shelters and lean-tos where you can sit and eat. This can make the trip a bit easier, especially if the weather is challenging and you have children with you.
In Danish forests, you are not allowed to make open fires freely, but fortunately many lovely campfire sites have already been established that you can freely use, which are often located in beautiful spots, for example in a clearing or by a lake.
See more at the link from the Nature Agency here:
https://naturstyrelsen.dk/naturoplevelser/aktiviteter/spis-i-naturen/
Equipment
There are some things that are practical to bring if you want to make a vegan meal on the campfire. What you need varies depending on the dish you want to make, but here are a few things that can be useful to have with you:
- a fire stand or a campfire grill
- a grill grate
- a campfire pan
- a pot
- tongs
- plate and cutlery
- fire gloves
Some of the Nature Agency’s campfire sites already have a grill grate installed at the fire pit, but it is not guaranteed everywhere. It can also feel safer to bring your own grill grate if you are concerned about hygiene.
Hygiene
It can be difficult to maintain a high hygienic standard when you are out in the forest preparing your meal – especially if you have small children with you.
One can take the stance that a little dirt can be healthy, but of course you should be careful to keep food clean and free from soil.
If you are concerned about hygiene, it can be useful to bring a couple of dish towels or a small piece of oilcloth to place under the area where you handle the food.
It can be an advantage to prepare some of the food at home, especially if you are new to campfire cooking, so you ensure it becomes a positive experience from the start. Then you can always get more ambitious as you gain more experience.
Make sure to bring water to rinse vegetables and kitchen utensils, and in these post-Corona times it can also be useful to have hand sanitizer so those preparing the food can sanitize their hands before you start – this is especially important with small children.
Two easy vegan dishes on the campfire – and a dessert
Here you get inspiration for two easy vegan dishes that most people like and that can be made on the campfire – or that you can partially prepare at home. And of course a dessert. All three dishes can be made gluten-free.
Enjoy 😊
Baked sweet potatoes with refried beans
4 people
You will need:
4 sweet potatoes
Some wild garlic (If it’s spring you might be able to pick it yourself in the forest. In autumn, only the leaves can be used.)
Olive oil
2 cartons or cans of kidney beans (or black beans)
1 carton or can of peeled tomatoes
2 onions, finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely sliced
1 small red chili
Two tbsp broth
1 tbsp cumin
Optional a pinch of smoked paprika
Salad leaves – optionally arugula or wild mustard (wild arugula) - for serving.
One lime
How to make refried beans
Fry onions and garlic in olive oil together with cumin and paprika in the pot over the fire (or at home ☺). Add the drained kidney beans, chili, broth, and peeled tomatoes. Add water if you want it thinner. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
How to make sweet potatoes on the fire
Make a cross with a knife in the middle of each potato, pour a little olive oil on, and add some wild garlic. Then wrap each in a piece of foil. Wait until the flames on the fire have turned to embers and carefully place the potatoes in the fire. After about 20 minutes, take one out with tongs and check if it is fully baked before taking out the others.
Preparation at home
Depending on how ambitious you are about cooking outdoors, you can prepare your refried beans at home. Bring them in a closed container so you only need to heat them when you arrive. Alternatively, you can make them in a pot on site, as described above.
Equipment
Fire stand or fire grill, fire pan, pot, tongs, fire gloves, foil, cutting board, and knife. Plates and cutlery.
When you arrive
Start your fire immediately, so that the flames have died down and the fire has started to glow when you begin cooking.
Throw your wrapped potatoes directly into the embers and let them bake there for 15-20 minutes.
Set up your fire stand over the fire and place the grill on it.
Place your pot on the grill and either warm your refried beans or make the dish in the pot as described above.
Serving
When the potatoes are done, take them out of the fire with tongs and remove the foil. Place the potato on a plate. Your refried beans can either be poured over the potato or served on the side along with the salad and a quarter lime.
Dhal with rice
4 people
You will need:
Olive oil
250 grams red lentils
1 carton or can of peeled tomatoes
1 carton or can of coconut milk
1 onion, finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely sliced
2 tbsp curry or curry paste
1 tbsp cumin
0.5 tbsp ground coriander
5 dl vegetable broth
Fresh coriander for serving
4 dl basmati rice
How to make dhal with rice
Fry onions and garlic in olive oil together with curry, cumin, and coriander in the pot over the fire (or at home ☺)
Add red lentils along with broth and peeled tomatoes. Let it simmer for 20-25 minutes and then gradually add coconut milk until you reach the consistency you like. Let the dish simmer a few more minutes before serving.
Cook the rice with 8 dl water for ten minutes and let it stand and steam for ten minutes.
Preparation at home
Depending on how ambitious you are about cooking outdoors, you can optionally prepare the dhal at home. Bring it in a sealed container so you only need to warm it when you arrive. Alternatively, you can make it in a pot on site as described above.
Equipment
Fire stand or camp grill, 2 pots, cutting board and knife. Plates and cutlery.
When you arrive
Start your fire immediately, so the flames have died down and the fire has started to glow when you begin cooking.
Set up your fire stand over the fire, place your pot and either warm your brought dhal or make the dish in the pot as described above. While it simmers, you can prepare the rice.
Serving
Serve your dhal on a plate with rice and garnish with coriander.
Banana pancakes for dessert
8 small pancakes
You will need:
2 small ripe bananas
A little coconut oil
150 grams wheat flour (or rice or buckwheat flour if you prefer gluten-free)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch of salt
About 2 dl plant milk
1 plant egg or flaxseed 'egg'
Blueberries and/or jam.
Optional tahini
How to make the pancake batter
Mix sugar, salt, and baking powder into the flour and stir in the plant milk along with the plant egg. Whisk until the batter is smooth. Mash the bananas and then stir them into the batter.
Preparation at home
Depending on how ambitious you are about cooking outdoors, you can optionally prepare the batter at home. Bring it in a sealed container.
Equipment
Fire stand or camp grill, camp pan, ladle, spatula. Plates and cutlery.
When you arrive
Start your fire immediately, so that the flames have died down and the fire has started to glow when you begin cooking.
Set up your fire stand over the fire, place your camp pan. Pour a ladle of pancake batter onto the pan and fry over moderate heat until golden and it releases from the pan. Flip and finish frying.
Serving
Serve the pancake with blueberries or jam. You can also use tahini together with berries or jam for a greater feeling of fullness.