Easy Memorial Day Camping Recipes

Memorial Day kicks off the “unofficial” start to summer, and that means there are going to be a lot of campers whipping up meals and treats at the campsite. These four patriotic-inspired recipes are low fuss and low mess while being high in taste and visual appeal.

 

Party Showstopper

Patriotic Charcuterie Board – Courtesy of Hostess at Heart

A dish that doesn’t require cooking? Yes, please! All you need to do is slice, dice, and arrange on a platter or cutting board. Make adjustments to the ingredient list as long as they stay within the theme. This will be a conversation piece as well as delicious.

Ingredients

• Cheeses: A white block cheese such as Swiss, Havarti, or provolone. BabyBel, Blue Cheese Crumbles
• Fruits: Red, white, and blue fruit
• Crackers Oyster crackers, soup crackers, Club crackers, pita chips, and Goldfish crackers
• White Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Instructions

1. Set out your tray or board. If using a large star cookie cutter as a decorative focal point in the center, place it down first.
2. Rinse and dry all your fruits. Hull the strawberries and slice if large. Cut watermelon into triangles or star shapes.
3. Slice your white block cheese in half lengthwise and use a small star cookie cutter to punch out as many stars as you can. Set aside for the finishing touch.
4. Place your small bowls or ramekins and Babybel barrier cheeses first to create structure on the board.
5. Add large items in groups — strawberry pile, blueberry cluster, watermelon stars — and spread your colors across the whole board rather than grouping red, white, and blue together on one side.
6. Fill in the gaps with crackers, white chocolate pretzels, dried fruit, and blue cheese crumbles.
7. Place the white cheese stars on top of blueberry clusters for the prettiest, most patriotic look.
8. Add crackers just before serving to keep them crispy!

 

Perfect Dish to Pass

Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad – Courtesy of Roadville

The simple potato gets a colorful upgrade and will impress the eyes as well as delight the taste buds. Potato salad always tastes better after it’s been in the fridge for a day or two. So if you know your group gathering will be in that timeframe, make the entire dish before you depart on your trip.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds mixed red, white, and blue baby potatoes, boiled and cubed
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, celery, and red onion.
2. Add the cooled, cubed potatoes.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Chill before serving. This colorful side dish is a patriotic take on the traditional potato salad!

 

End the Night on a High Note

Easy Red, White, and Blue Dump Cake – Courtesy of Meatloaf and Melodrama

Dessert is something few can pass up. This easy-to-make dump cake is intended for the oven, which can certainly be done in a loft of RVs. But as we all know, this can be a no-fuss dessert that can be made in a cast iron Dutch oven. Get a nice bed of hot coals and make sure you line the Dutch oven with foil or parchment. Cooking time will be less than what is called for in this recipe.  

Ingredients

• 21 oz can strawberry pie filling
• 21 oz can blueberry pie filling
• 25 oz box white cake mix
• 1 cup butter, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
3. Alternate spooning in the strawberry and blue pie filling, creating a checkered pattern.
4. Sprinkle the cake mix over the pie filling, and evenly spread with a rubber spatula, spoon or knife.
5. Place thinly sliced butter in neat rows over cake mix.
6. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until top is slightly golden and filling is hot and bubbly.
7. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly before serving.

For Happy Kids

Patriotic Trail Mix – Courtesy of All Things Mamma

Trail mix is a staple during camping trips, and this one combines America’s colors with the taste and appeal of a s’more. As with any mix, feel free to incorporate other ingredients. This recipe makes enough for four.

Ingredients  

• 3 cups Graham Cracker Cereal
• 1 cup pretzels
• 1 cup marshmallows
• 1 pkg red, white & blue peanut m&ms

 Instructions

1. Add all of the above ingredients into a bowl and mix together.
2. Add to small cups to serve!