FoodNet

Camp cookery (Kephart)

1910

Page 10

Presented as published in 1910. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
In rough country, especially if camp is to be shifted frequently, a stove is out of the reckoning. If pack animals are taken, or the trip is by canoe, without long and difficult j^ortages, it pays to take along either a folding grate or a pair of fire irons. Various patterns of grates are shown in outfitters' catalogues. I have used one called the Gem which is satisfactory of its kind. It weighs 334 pounds, is 16x28 inches when set up, and folds into a package 1^x19 inches. 18 UTENSILS. 19 A lighter grate is Sackett's camp broiler, 9x14 inches. The legs do not lock in place, and hence are of little use on stony or mushy ground. I re- move them, and so have a good grate and broiler weighing only one pound, yet big enough to sup- port a frying pan and coffee pot when laid across a couple of logs or rocks. Klondike Camp Stove. Fire "irons" are simply two pieces of flat steel 24x1 ^x^ inches, weighing 2^/2 pounds, which are used like the broiler named above. If a mule steps on one of them, it (mule or iron) can quickly be hammered back into correct form. On light marching trips no support for the uten- sils will be carried. Rocks or logs will take their 20 CAMP COOKERY. place. There may be a little more spilling and swearing, but less tired backs. It is commonly agreed that four is the ideal number for a camping party, at least among hunt- ers and fishermen. Certainly no larger number should attempt their own cooking. Utensils and table ware for such a party, going light, should include: a large frying-pan (more serviceable than two small ones) ; a pan to mix dough in and wash dishes (common milk pan) ; a stout, seamless, cov- ered pot for boiling or stewing meat, baking beans. Sackett's Broiler. etc.; a medium pot or pail for hot water (always wanted, substitute for tea kettle) ; a smaller one for cereals, vegetables, fruit ; and either a coffee pot low enough to nest in the latter, or a covered pail in its place. There should be six plates (two for serving) and four each of cups, knives, forks, teaspoons, tablespoons. This is about as little as the party can well get along with. It will be bothersome to bake bread for four in the frying-pan. Add a reflector or common sheet- UTENSILS. «1 steel "roaster and baker/' if practicable. A wire broiler, a tea percolator, and a corkscrew and can opener will nest with this set. If the cook wears no sheath knife a butcher knife is essential. Two dish towels (one to be divided into clouts) and a couple of yards of cheesecloth for straining and to hang meat in should be taken. The common utensils of the shops will not nest. They are all spouts and handles, bail ears and cover knobs. Still, a good deal can be done by substitution. Covered pails do all the work of sauce pans and kettles, and are better all round, for they can either be set upon the coals or hung above the fire; besides, you can carry water in Gem Folding Grate. them, and their covers keep heat in and ashes out. All such vessels should be low and broad; then they will boil quickly and pack well. Good proportions are: 3 quarts diameter 63^ in. x 514 in. height. ' " " 71/, " X534 - 81/0 " xGVg " 91/4 " X 71/2 « CAMP COOKERY.