Camping/Glamping Night Theme: Food Ideas

HORS D’OEUVRES (Appetizers)

  1. Campfire Caprese Skewers

Name: Twilight Tomato Stacks
Ingredients:

  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Mini mozzarella balls
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Balsamic glaze
  • Skewers or toothpicks

Steps:

  1. On each skewer, layer: tomato, basil, mozzarella, then another tomato.
  2. Drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze just before serving.
  3. Chill before serving or serve at room temperature.

Appearance: Arrange on a wood tray lined with parchment. Use a small pine branch as a garnish.

  1. Gourmet Trail Mix Bites

Name: Wilderness Clusters
Ingredients:

  • 1 cup roasted almonds
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup crushed pretzels
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

Steps:

  1. Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil over low heat.
  2. In a bowl, mix almonds, cranberries, and pretzels.
  3. Stir in the melted chocolate.
  4. Spoon clusters onto parchment-lined tray and chill for 30 minutes.

Appearance: Serve in mini brown paper cups or leaf-shaped dishes.

  1. Campfire Shrimp Toasts

Name: Backwoods Bayou Bites
Ingredients:

  • 1 baguette, sliced
  • 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, chopped
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp horseradish
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Chives, minced

Steps:

  1. Toast baguette slices until golden.
  2. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, horseradish, lemon, and chopped shrimp.
  3. Spread onto toast and top with chives.

Appearance: Serve on a bark-covered platter with lemon wedges.

MAIN DISHES

  1. Cast Iron Skillet Sliders

Name: Grizzly Sliders
Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground sirloin
  • Slider buns
  • Cheddar slices
  • Caramelized onions
  • Garlic aioli

Steps:

  1. Form small patties and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Sear in a cast iron skillet 2-3 mins per side.
  3. Toast slider buns lightly.
  4. Assemble with cheddar, onions, and a dollop of aioli.

Appearance: Serve sliders lined in a cast iron pan, topped with small flags or herb sprigs.

  1. Foil Packet Wild Salmon

Name: Glampfire Citrus Salmon
Ingredients:

  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • Fresh dill
  • Olive oil, salt, pepper
  • Aluminum foil

Steps:

  1. Place salmon on foil; top with citrus slices and dill.
  2. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper.
  3. Fold foil into sealed packets.
  4. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or grill for 12–15 minutes.

Appearance: Serve packets on rustic trays, partially opened for presentation.

  1. Truffle Mac & Cheese Cups

Name: Luxe Lodge Bites
Ingredients:

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups shredded white cheddar
  • 1/2 cup grated Gruyère
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • Truffle oil

Steps:

  1. Cook pasta. In a saucepan, melt butter, stir in flour, cook 1 minute.
  2. Whisk in milk; cook until thickened.
  3. Stir in cheese until smooth. Add pasta and truffle oil.
  4. Spoon into muffin tins and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.

Appearance: Serve mini mac cups in cupcake liners atop a wooden slab tray.

DESSERTS & SWEETS

  1. S’mores Tartlets

Name: Golden Hour Tarts
Ingredients:

  • Mini graham cracker crusts
  • Chocolate ganache (1/2 cup heavy cream + 1 cup chocolate chips)
  • Marshmallow fluff or mini marshmallows

Steps:

  1. Heat cream, pour over chocolate chips, stir until smooth.
  2. Pour into crusts and let set in fridge.
  3. Top with fluff or marshmallows and toast with a kitchen torch.

Appearance: Display on a camp-themed tiered tray with a small sign saying “Torch Your Own!”

  1. Bourbon-Peach Hand Pies

Name: Campfire Hand Warmers
Ingredients:

  • Store-bought pie dough
  • 2 peaches, chopped
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp bourbon
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 egg (for wash)

Steps:

  1. Mix peaches, sugar, bourbon, and cinnamon.
  2. Cut dough into 4-inch circles, fill with fruit, fold and seal.
  3. Brush with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes.

Appearance: Wrap each pie in parchment and twine; stack in a woven basket lined with linen.

  1. Hot Cocoa Mousse Cups

Name: Moondust Mousse
Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered hot cocoa mix
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese
  • Whipped topping
  • Crushed cookies (graham or chocolate)

Steps:

  1. Beat cream until soft peaks form.
  2. In a separate bowl, blend cream cheese and cocoa mix.
  3. Fold whipped cream into cocoa mixture.
  4. Layer mousse and crushed cookies in small mason jars.

Appearance: Garnish with mini marshmallows and a chocolate stick; serve on wood rounds.

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