Description

4.5 Stars

Product Intro:

Feast by Firelight is a beautifully illustrated cookbook featuring easy-to-follow recipes perfect for gatherings at campgrounds and cabins. This inspiring book presents practical recipes that make outdoor cooking feel effortless and enjoyable, while also offering innovative cooking techniques, meal prep tips, and smart packing strategies. It includes a wide array of camp-friendly recipes, detailed menus, shopping and equipment lists, and helpful advice on how to prepare in advance.

With 70 approachable recipes, Feast by Firelight stands out as a groundbreaking addition to the outdoor cooking genre, blending practical information with stunning images of completed dishes and insightful illustrations (like how to pack a cooler or build a fire). It sets a new benchmark for camping cookbooks.

Honey-Coriander Glazed Pork Chops With Roasted Corn Salsa

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 18 minutes | Yield: 4 to 6 servings

I’ve always loved coriander, but this recipe showed me how wonderfully it complements honey and paprika. The Roasted Corn Salsa mirrors this pairing, enhancing the dish as a whole. This glaze shines not only on meats but also on grilled vegetables or slathered on buttered toast. It’s a perfect summer recipe, capturing that brief, magical time when fresh corn, herbs, and tomatoes are plentiful. You can recreate it in winter by using frozen corn and broiling the pork chops instead.

Preparation:

1. In a small bowl, combine honey, olive oil, vinegar, crushed coriander seeds, salt, paprika, garlic, and pepper to make a glaze. Reserve 2 tablespoons in a lidded jar or airtight container and chill for up to 3 days.
2. In a zip-top bag, add the remaining glaze along with the pork chops. Seal the bag and coat the chops, then chill for up to 24 hours.
3. Preheat the grill to high heat, create a two-zone fire (see page 27), and position the grill grate 4 inches above the coals.
4. Grill the pork chops over direct heat until nicely charred, about 2-3 minutes per side. Move them to the edge of direct heat and continue cooking until firm to the touch, about 5-7 minutes per side, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Allow the chops to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
5. Present the pork chops on a cutting board or plates, spreading the reserved glaze on top and garnishing with a generous scoop of salsa. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted coriander seeds, crushed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon grated garlic
• 20 turns of the pepper mill
• 6 thick pork chops
• 1 cup Roasted Corn Salsa (recipe below)

Roasted Corn Salsa

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 12 minutes | Yield: 2 1/2 cups

No camping trip is complete without salsa—consider keeping multiple jars on hand. This roasted corn salsa is a delightful accompaniment to tortilla chips, making it a quick, satisfying snack. It’s also a fantastic addition to eggs and nachos. Once you make this, you’ll likely want to prepare larger batches to keep stocked. Don’t skip the roasting; it elevates the flavor significantly. Spring onions, also called green onions, are a great choice here for their mild sweetness and balanced bite, enhancing the salsa without overwhelming your palate. Toasting and crushing whole coriander seeds adds a nutty layer to the spice’s bright notes.

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, mix tomatoes, spring onions, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, honey, garlic, Sriracha, salt, and crushed coriander seeds. Transfer to an airtight container and chill for up to 5 days.
2. Preheat the grill or campfire to medium-high heat, placing the grill grate 2 to 4 inches above the coals.
3. Grill the corn directly over the flame, turning every 2-3 minutes until uniformly charred and kernels are bright yellow, approximately 10-12 minutes. For a deeper roast, drizzle olive oil over the corn to create a flavorful flare-up.
4. Using a sharp knife, carve the kernels off the cobs and mix them with the tomato mixture.
5. Serve immediately and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Roasted Corn Salsa Ingredients:

• 2 cups seeded and finely diced plum tomatoes
• 1/2 cup diced spring onions
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon grated garlic
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha or 1 minced jalapeño (seeded)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon toasted coriander seeds, crushed
• 3 ears of corn, shucked

Publisher: Ten Speed Press (April 10, 2018)
Language: English
Format: Hardcover, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 0399579915
ISBN-13: 978-0399579912
Item Weight: 1.51 pounds
Dimensions: 7.23 x 0.84 x 9.27 inches

Why this is a great Gifts for Camping & Outdoors?

"Feast by Firelight: Simple Recipes for Camping, Cabins, and the Great Outdoors" makes a fantastic gift for camping and outdoors enthusiasts for several reasons:

1. Tailored for Outdoor Cooking: This cookbook is specifically designed for outdoor settings, featuring recipes that can be easily prepared over a campfire, making it perfect for anyone who loves to cook while camping.

2. Simplicity and Accessibility: The recipes are designed to be simple and require minimal equipment, making it accessible for both novice and experienced campers. This encourages more people to try their hand at cooking outdoors.

3. Inspiration for Outdoor Adventures: The book can inspire creativity and variety in camp meals, helping to elevate the outdoor cooking experience. It encourages campers to explore new flavors and dishes rather than relying on typical pre-packaged meals.

4. Connection to Nature: Cooking and dining outdoors can enhance the overall experience of being in nature. This cookbook promotes not only good food but also the joy of sharing meals with friends and family around the campfire, fostering connection and memories.

5. Versatile Use: The recipes can be adapted for various outdoor settings, whether it’s camping, cabin trips, or backyard barbecues. This versatility makes the cookbook a valuable resource, perfect for gift recipients who enjoy a range of outdoor activities.

Overall, "Feast by Firelight" is a well-rounded gift that enhances the outdoor experience through enjoyable cooking and dining.

What will the reaction be to this gift?

Upon unwrapping “Feast by Firelight: Simple Recipes for Camping, Cabins, and the Great Outdoors,” an excited smile spreads across my face. The cover, adorned with vibrant images of food enjoyed in nature, instantly evokes memories of bonfires and starlit nights. As I flip through the pages, the rustic charm of the illustrations draws me in, and I can almost smell the tantalizing aromas wafting from the campfire recipes.

I can already picture myself camping with friends, gathering around a crackling fire, laughter echoing in the cool night air, and the thrill of preparing delicious meals in the great outdoors. The simplicity of the recipes speaks to me — no complicated techniques, just hearty, straightforward dishes that anyone can whip up.

This gift feels personal. It’s a reminder of past adventures and an invitation for new ones. The thoughtfulness behind choosing something that aligns so perfectly with my love for nature and cooking warms my heart. I’m inspired to plan the next camping trip, eagerly anticipating sharing these recipes with loved ones. The book is not just a collection of meals; it’s a promise of good times, fresh air, and the joy of cooking together under the stars.