Outdoorsmen and women invent some unique and different meals when afield. After a long day on the water, in the woods, or trekking the fields, stomachs are grumbling, and sports are Hangry! 

There are many recipes that reflect a hodgepodge of flavors and stuff. Goulash, Gumbo, Succotash, Stir Frys, and stews are a mixture of whatever is on hand. 

After a long day of fly fishing, I was usually in charge of dinner. This meant that I had maybe 30 minutes to come up with something filling and fast! I usually named the mess after where we were. Madison River Stew, or Yellowstone Yuck! If a few beers were involved, the meal went down easier. 

Here are a couple speedy meals for needy camp cooks. 

GARBAGE

• 1 lb. ground or chopped meat. 4 cans of mixed vegetables.
•  4 cans of Franco-American spaghetti. 
• ¼ cup of ketchup.1/4 onion. 
• Salt and pepper to taste

All you need is a can opener, spoon, and Dutch oven. This fast Food will fill up to 6 hungry campers. Just brown the meat and onions. Dump in the cans and heat to meal temperature. Serve in bowls or Styrofoam cups. 

GOOP

1 lb. of ground meat. Could be beef, turkey, or chopped wild game or waterfowl.

1 large, chopped onion.

1 can of cream of mushroom soup.

1 can of condensed Tomato soup.

2 cups of cooked macaroni noodles.

A couple handfuls of sharp cheddar cheese. 

Brown the meat and onions in a Dutch oven. Add the soups, and macaroni. Stir and simmer for about 10 minutes. Cover with cheese and serve. This comes out soupy unless you bake it longer. A shallow camp plate works well to keep the Goop under control.  Serves 6.

SEWAGE

• 1 pack of Brats, hot dogs, sausage links, breakfast sausage links, or cut up meat sticks.
• 1 diced onion, peppers
• 16 oz. can of baked beans
• Worcestershire sauce 
• ¼ cup of brown sugar, molasses, or pancake syrup.

Cut up and sauté the chopped onions and sausages. The beans come in a variety of flavors so pick the one you prefer. A dash of hot sauce will kick it up a notch for spicy food lovers. You can serve this in a cup, bowl, or rolls. Despite the name Sewage is usually well received. 

SLOP

This can be whatever you have. Just dump, mix, and cook. Usually, it involves a cut up cabbage cooked in a stick of butter. 3 cups of wide egg noodles, or whatever pasta is on hand. Add salt and pepper to taste along with some garlic, or garlic salt. I once made this streamside along a West Virginia trout stream. There was a patch of wild ramps nearby that I cut up and used instead of the cabbage. Ramps are strong so everyone must eat some to keep your breath in touch with everyone else. Supping on this Slop streamside was delicious and fun. I served this mess in some old paper coffee cups with plastic sporks. 

It’s what’s for dinner! Fast food is fun, filling, and memorable. 

 You are what you eat. Bon petit!

Montana Grant