Spring Grilled Salads and Grilling Favorites

With spring comes longer days, melting snow and the first tender blossoms and the beginning of grilling season. (I really never stop grilling - I've grilled at Steaks ansd Salmon for a group of 12 at 9,000 ft in a late spring Colorado snow storm, I've grilled a turkey breast in a torrential soaking rain on the Rougue River for Thanksgiving - but that's another story for another time.)

Spring is the official start to "grilling season" - with an abundance of warmer, sunny and mild days. So if your grill has been in storage now's the time to get it out, tune it up and get grilling.

Here are a few of my favorite spring camping recipes:

Grilled Salads:

Thai Beef Salad

Chicken Salad with Nectarines in Mint Vinaigrette

Grill Recipe Favorites:

Jerk Rubbed Grill Turkey

Citrus Grilled Snapper with Roasted Pineapple

Grilled corn-on-the cob

Apple Truffle Roasted Garlic Pizza

Learn more about the art and science of grilling

Salads make quick, healthy meals or satisfying sides.

Camping Cafe's Salad Recipe Collection

Watermelon and Feta Salad

Creamy Spring Salad

Easy Spring Salad

Chicken Salad with Nectarines in Mint Vinaigrette

Fried Calamari Salad

Thai Beef Salad

Wildflower Salad Recipes

For more satisfying salads try our search function at the top of the page. Just type in the ingredient or course and see a list of recipes.

New Orleans Gumbo

Spicy Gumbo

A gumbo is a soup or stew that's full of spice and rich flavors, and it's the perfect warm-up meal for a cold winter's day. With roots in Louisiana and the Southern Gulf Coast, gumbos are thick, hearty, and zesty. This year, why not learn to make your own gumbo? No matter what part of the country you're in, the hungry campers at your campsite will be sure to thank you.

The base of any good gumbo is a thick stock, usually a meat or shellfish stock. Gumbos also rely on the "holy trinity," a mixture of celery, bell peppers, and onions, for its signature flavor. Chefs differ on the type of thickening agent they use to turn this rich soup into a stew. Whether you use pureed okra, file powder (ground, dried sassafras leaves), or a roux (a mixture of butter or oil and flour) to thicken your creation, you're still making authentic gumbo.

Vegetarian Camping Favorites

Whether you're watching your cholesterol or are just trying to cut back on the amount of meat in your diet, you'll find that you can make superb meatless meals that will satisfy any appetite. Any of hearty feast. Choose from the individual pita pizzas, black bean enchiladas, or savory falafel, and get ready to eat like a king.

Warm up after a night of trick or treating.

Spiced Cider for the kids and Mulled cider for the adults...perfection!

The beginning of winter is a classic time to gather indoors, enjoying warmth and good cheer during the darkest days of the year. This year, make your solstice or holiday celebration special by serving hot cider or wine. The rich, spicy aroma these drinks give off is worth the effort alone -- but they also taste delicious!

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