As hunters, many of us thrive to get off the beaten path. We long to beat bush and hike deeper and farther away from the outside world, longing to find nature at her purest. This longing for adventure comes at a cost, mainly good food. We want to pack as light as possible, so we tend to pack in dehydrated meals, beans, rice and beef jerky strips from last year’s harvest. If we are blessed to harvest any wild game, we tend to throw it over the fire with no seasonings and char it till its done. Don’t get me wrong, this is one of the simplest ways to refuel our bodies after a long day of hiking, skinning, packing out and burning calories.
But let’s talk about creating a celebratory dinner, after a successful hunt and harvest. With packing in a few simple ingredients you’ll be able to craft an easy, filling, protein packed, delicious meal. Using fresh meat from your harvest you can build a hearty flavorful meal without much effort or culinary skill. This meal is super simple and works perfect for any deer camp or hunting trip.
Wild Game Campfire Stew:
Ingredients:
1 pound Wild game meat (cubed)
2 potatoes (cubed)
3 carrots (sliced)
1 small onion (sliced)
1 tin of special seasoning
(Take a small Ziploc bag & fill with seasoning then place in small mint tin. Tin can be reused for Char cloth or tinder)
1 straw olive oil
( I take a plastic straw and melt one end, fill with olive oil and melt other end. You now have a water and leak proof way to carry your oil.)
Enough water to fill.
(Special seasoning, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons flour)
Directions:
1. Get camp fire nice and hot, move coals to one side to create a cooking area near but not on the fire. Place pan on coals.
2.Next add olive oil and cubed game meat, brown meat turning often (about 5 minutes)
3.Once meat is browned add onions and carrots, cook until onions become translucent. Add special seasoning and stir to coat.
4. Add potatoes, water and stir.
5. Put lid on and surround sides of pan and top with fresh coals. Cook 40- 60 stirring occasionally.
6. Remove from fire.
Remember your harvested game was put on earth for this very moment. Its life was given so you can live! Pay respect and enjoy your meal!
From Field To Plate
The Wild Chef
Jeremiah Doughty
