I was homesick the first time I went to summer camp. All I could think about was getting through the week so I could return home. So the first time our daughter went away to camp I was nervous she might feel the same way. I was wrong. She loved every minute of it. One of her favorite things was the sleepover on a little island near the camp. In particular, it was the camper’s foil packet dinner they made and how incredible it tasted. I recalled something similar from my camp experience.

It’s now ten years later but she remembered the ingredients like it was yesterday and in particular the sausage. After much discussion we decided it must have been Kielbasa smoked sausage.

All you’ll need is smoked sausage, carrots, potatoes and barbecue sauce. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, additions like sliced onions, eggplant or zucchini and fresh chopped herbs such as rosemary. For camping, assemble the packets and pack them in your cooler ready to pull out to cook in your campfire.  Or if you aren’t planning any camping, but want an easy backyard barbecue dinner or even an activity for a group of kids learning a little about cooking this works great.

It didn’t take long to gather the ingredients and very soon afterwards we were enjoying her version of this childhood memory. The best part is – no dishes to clean.

Camper's Foil Packet Dinner

 

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Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound small red potatoes, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
• 1 pound thinly sliced carrots (about 4 cups)
• 12 ounces thinly sliced Kielbasa smoked sausage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• 4 12x16 inch pieces heavy-duty aluminum foil
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

1. Put sliced potatoes, carrots, sausage and olive oil in a bowl and toss to distribute evenly; season with salt and pepper.
2. To assemble packets, divide potato mixture on the center of each piece of aluminum foil; bring long edges of foil up and together and fold several times; fold in each edge of short end of foil several times to make a tight packet.
3. Put packets on medium hot campfire coals or on a preheated grill. Cook until the potatoes and carrots are just tender and the sausage is hot, about 15 minutes. Remove the packets from the fire or grill and very carefully open the top folded edge, being careful of the escaping steam. Drizzle ¼ cup barbecue sauce over potatoes, carrots and sausage in each packet; reseal foil folds and lightly shake packet to distribute the barbecue sauce. Return to the fire or grill for 2-3 minutes.
4. To eat, carefully cut an x shape on top of each foil packet, allowing the steam to escape then fold back edges. Eat right out of the packet or transfer to a plate.

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