Need Recipe Ideas for Camping and Mulled Wine

The 10th, really, already…anyone else thinking September is whizzing by? Days seem to sprint into one another for me. I remember wondering when spring would show its beautiful face and now I can’t wait for sweater weather. In about a week, we will be camping in northern Minnesota with some friends on Kaleva Island in Eveleth. I checked the forecast and we’re looking at 40 degrees at night-not exactly inviting or ideal for camping. I don’t care though. I’m looking at it as a vacation and of course, I will share some pics when we return.

Greg is very excited. He, being what I call “a wood guy” or someone with a degree and interest in wood products and forestry, is bouncing off the walls about this trip. I, on the other hand, am trying to figure out what to make in the Dutch oven we’re taking. Any ideas? We are sharing with a large group of people Saturday evening and lucky us, the event is sponsored by a liquor store and they are providing the alcohol. I’ll need it to keep warm-yeah, that’s the ticket. The recipe I’m posting today would be great and since I’m in a “roughing it” state-of-mind, is why I am bringing it up. Mulled wine, or mulled cider, is a cold weather staple for Greg and I. If you enjoy a drink that warms you all over, like cocoa or hot apple cider, this is for you. My recipe is originally from one of my favorite magazines, Real Simple, although Ina Garten and Martha Stewart have recipes that are satisfying as well. I changed the recipe slightly, adding cloves, star anise, ground cardamom and ginger powder instead of fresh ginger (I was out.)

Back to the food, I need something with few ingredients, something rustic for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to hike and sightsee but you know that the food will take center stage. My parents provided me with some recipes: cobbler, potatoes and smores which is exactly what I’m thinking. I wonder if there are bears……

Mulled Wine
Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 bottle of dry red wine (a Cabernet Sauvignon works well)
4 cups of apple juice (or cider for mulled cider)
½ of an orange, cut into slices (plus zest if you want it for serving)
¼ cup honey
2 cinnamon sticks (plus 8 if you want it when serving)
5 whole allspice berries
6 whole cloves
3 star anise-optional
1 tsp ground cardamom (or 2 pods)-optional
1 tsp ginger powder (or a 2 inch piece of fresh ginger thinly sliced)-optional

Combine juice (or cider), orange slices, honey, cinnamon, allspice berries, cloves, star anise, ground cardamom and ginger powder to simmer in large saucepan for 20 minutes. Stir in the wine until just heated and serve hot. Place the cinnamon sticks and orange zest in each glass for serving if you wish.