DO MORE OUTDOOR: This Vegan (or meaty) Meal Tastes Like Vacation
The idea behind out "Do More Outdoor" series is simple: Try to do more things you usually consider mundane ... outdoor. Even in your own back yard!
Why? The science is clear that just 30 minutes in the fresh air can lower stress and reenergize our bodies, brains & spirit.
And, in this case, you also get to get cozy by the fire and end the experience with a delicious gourmet meal that tastes (and feels) a whole lot like a vacation in the mountains.
The Challenge:
Prepare a super-simple, healthy, clean, vegan (or meat-friendly) meal over the fire in your backyard.
The Ingredients:
Really any fresh veggies and herbs/spices. In this case, we're using what was on the window shelf:
- Sweet potatoes
- Red pepper
- Onion
- Corn (cut off the cobb)
- cherry or grape tomatoes
- (optional) grass fed, organic, ground beef
- Olive oil
- (optional) natural seasonings
Prep Materials:
- Parchment paper
- Aluminum foil
Process:
Light a fire 30 minutes before you plan to cook. The ideal cooking fire is low, or no, flame so you can place aluminum foil pouches directly on the embers. * If you do cook over a roaring flame, just make sure to move the pouch often to avoid burning the food at bottom of pouch.
Chop veggies while fire dies down
- Cut vegetables in medium size chunks to avoid shriveling down to nothing.
- Mix veggies and douse with liberal amounts of olive oil
- Wrap individual meal portions in aluminum foil and place directly on fire embers
- The most important steps: ENJOY. BREATHE. GET COZY. (look, you could cook a meal easier in the microwave so don't forget to enjoy the process.)
- (optional) serve on nice dinnerware. The juxtaposition of campfire cooking and fine dining really feels special.
CONGRATS! You ate some delicious, nutritious food to fuel your body. And you took a few moments to recharge and appreciate the natural elements!
