Sitting around a crackling campfire, the smell of wood smoke filling the air, is one of the most magical parts of camping. There's something about the glow of the flame that sparks a sense of adventure, of being one with nature. And when it comes to campfire cooking, nothing is quite as iconic as roasting sausages over an open fire. The process is simple yet satisfying. First, find yourself a sturdy stick, preferably one with a long handle. Take your time to find the perfect spot, one where the fire is strong but not overwhelming.
Take your time to find the perfect spot, one where the fire is strong but not overwhelming. Skewer your sausages onto the stick, making sure to leave enough space between each one for even cooking. Then, position the stick over the fire, holding it just far enough away that it doesn't scorch the sausages too quickly.
Potatoes, s’mores and sausages: Cooking camp-out style
POTATOES
1. Clean but don’t peel your potatoes.
2. Poke a piece of fencing wire or long nail longways through the middle of each potato and double-wrap it with tinfoil. The wire transfers heat to the centre and cooks it more evenly.
3. Do not add butter before cooking as it will burn.
4. Light your bonfire and when some embers have formed, rake them to one side with a green branch.
5. Lay the tinfoil-wrapped potatoes on the embers and poke more up and around and over them and/or rotate with stick until cooked.
6. Check one potato after 10 minutes, although everyone’s will cook differently. When cooked inside, remove others and place in and old tea towel and carefully (they will be steamy-hot) cut in half longways along the wire, tinfoil and all, with your pocket knife.
7. Flick out wire (it will be hot) to somewhere safe to retrieve tomorrow and add a dollop of butter to melt in. Eat with fork.
S’MORES
• Thread a marshmallow on the very end of the sausage wire/branch and hold above hot embers to crisp the outside to golden brown. This is not easy but burnt ones are almost as good.
• Get two Chocolate Thin biscuits and sandwich them each side of the cooked marshmallow and use them to slide it off the cooking wire.
SAUSAGES
• Use your knife to sharpen the end of willow stick into a long point or fashion a handle on one end of the wire. Thread the sausage on and hold over the fire, rotating all the time.
• If the wire handle starts to get hot, use the tea towel as a cloth. It is a good idea to have the spare firewood nearby to rest the sausage end on when you pull it out of the fire.
• When cooked, lay on bread and smother (or not) with tomato sauce.
A bush campfire, with a billy boiling on the hot plate.
WATER
• The advantage of a billy or can with loop handle is you can thread a stick through the handle and lift it off the fire when boiling.
• If you are using an old saucepan, pull embers out to one side and bank them up around the pot.
• When boiling, you can push the embers away again and use the tea towels to grab the handle.
• Billy tea is made by boiling the water, throwing the tea leaves in, letting it ‘turnover three times’ (ie, about three seconds), then remove from heat.
• Tap the sides with a stick and the leaves will sink to the bottom.
S’MORES
• Thread a marshmallow on the very end of the sausage wire/branch and hold above hot embers to crisp the outside to golden brown. This is not easy but burnt ones are almost as good.
• Get two Chocolate Thin biscuits and sandwich them each side of the cooked marshmallow and use them to slide it off the cooking wire.
As the sausages cook, their aroma fills the air, drawing in hungry campers from all around. The sizzle and crackle of the meat on the fire becomes a symphony of camping delight. It's hard to resist peeking at them, watching as they slowly change from pink to a delicious golden brown. But patience is key, as rushing the process can result in either undercooked or charred sausages. Once they're done - which usually takes around 15-20 minutes, depending on the heat of the fire - it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Carefully slide the sausages off the stick onto a plate or into a bun. Whether you choose to savor them plain or add some toppings like mustard or ketchup, the taste is always amplified by the campfire's smoky essence. There's no denying the spell of the campfire sausages. They have the power to bring people together, igniting conversations and creating lasting memories. They're a reminder of simpler times, of gathering around the fire with friends and family, and appreciating the simple pleasures of life. So, next time you find yourself in the great outdoors, don't forget to bring some sausages and let the magic of the campfire work its wonders..
Reviews for "Campfire Sausages: From Simple to Smoky"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to try "The spell of the campfire sausages" but was ultimately disappointed. The sausages were incredibly dry and lacked flavor. The side dishes were also underwhelming, with the coleslaw being too creamy and the baked beans lacking any kind of tanginess. The service was subpar as well, with the waitstaff seeming disinterested and unattentive. Overall, I would not recommend this dish to anyone looking for a satisfying meal.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I had high expectations for "The spell of the campfire sausages" but was sorely let down. The sausages were overcooked and tasted burnt, leaving a charred aftertaste in my mouth. The accompanying side dishes were equally disappointing, with the mashed potatoes being incredibly lumpy and tasteless. The presentation of the dish was also unappealing, with the sausages looking shriveled and unappetizing. I would not recommend this dish to anyone seeking a flavorful and well-prepared meal.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "The spell of the campfire sausages" fell short of my expectations. The sausages were dry and lacked any distinct flavor. I was hoping for a smoky and savory experience, but was left unsatisfied. The side dishes, although decent, were nothing remarkable. The portion size was also smaller than I anticipated, leaving me hungry after the meal. Overall, I wouldn't choose this dish again if given the option.