One of my favorite things to do with my girlfriends is to go glamping. Yes. Glamping. It’s a thing.
Glamping = glamorous + camping
While your glamping experience doesn’t need to involve silk linens and extravagant additions, there are a few simple comforts you can add to the typical camping experience to make it a *touch* more cute & cozy.
One of the easiest ways to transform your camping experience is to plan for some gourmet campground meals that don’t require much fuss.
With the help of my new pink Weber grill (that’s totally travel-friendly), I put together an easy and delicious dinner that’s perfect for glamping in the great outdoors!
Grilling Essentials
I grew up grilling in the backyard with my dad and having my own portable pink grill has made glamping with my girlfriends so much fun. Silly boys, grills are for girls too!
Here are some grilling essentials you need for glamping:
- Weber Q 1200 Grill: This portable grill comes in 6 fun colors and packs plenty of power.
- Fuel: Your Weber Q 1200 grill comes with everything you need, except fuel. Grab a few small tanks (they’re only around $2 each) at a local shop so you’re prepared.
- Q Portable Cart: This handy cart allows you to go from allows you to go from grilling to transport mode with the push of a button. It collapses down so you can easily pull it from your car to your campsite.
- Porcelain Ramekins: Did you know you could bake on a grill too? Grills aren’t just for ribs and chicken! Pack some bakeware, like ramekins, to heat liquids and sides.
- BBQ Gloves: Don’t risk burning yourself when you’re grilling! These gloves are heat resistant and you’ll need them for removing any bakeware from the grill.
- Ice Chest: You’ll obviously need to keep some of your food items chilled so invest in a super cute ice chest (like this retro one)!
- Skewers: You’ll need skewers whether you’re grilling shrimp or vegetables so grab some skewers (like these curly ones) to add a little something extra to your plating.
- Serving Platters: I’m a big believer in family-style serving when glamping. It means less dishes to wash and the presentation looks so much prettier!
- Aluminum Foil: Lastly, don’t leave home without some foil. Use it to put smaller items directly on the grill or place it over food after it’s done cooking to keep it warm
Grilled Romaine Salad with Shrimp
Camping food can be healthy and delicious! When glamping for a weekend, it’s easy to pack fresh vegetables and frozen seafood to make a restaurant-quality salad.
Here’s my recipe for a simple and scrumptious grilled romaine salad with shrimp!
Ingredients:
- Head of Romaine lettuce
- 8-12 frozen shrimp
- Grill skewers
- 1-2 tbs chopped pecans
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp butter
- Herbed goat cheese
- Balsamic dressing
- 1 tsp Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Salt-Free Seasoning
- 1 Porcelain Ramekin
Directions:
1. Thaw shrimp and sprinkle with Mrs. Dash seasoning
2. Preheat Weber grill to 350 degrees
3. Mix pecans, brown sugar and butter in porcelain ramekin and place on grill
4. Add shrimp to skewers and place on grill (cooking time approx. 6-7 minutes)
5. Remove shrimp and sugar & pecan mixture from grill
6. Increase grill temperature to 450 degrees
7. Cut head of Romaine lettuce in half and blot dry with paper towel
8. Place lettuce halves (cut-side down) on grill for 1 minute or less. You do NOT want to heat the lettuce, you simply want to add char marks.
9. Plate lettuce halves on serving platter and top with shrimp, sugared pecans, goat cheese and balsamic dressing.
(Serves 2)
Helpful Tip
It’s really important to have a hot grill and dry lettuce before placing the Romaine halves onto the grill. The leaves will wilt very quickly, so keep the lid of the grill open and leave the lettuce on for just a few moments to get some nice char marks.
Grilled Lime Margarita
A girl’s glamping trip deserves some refreshing cocktails! After a day of hiking, head back to the campsite for happy hour at the grill.
Here’s my recipe for a grilled margarita!
Ingredients:
- Mason jars
- Margarita salt
- 3 oz. Tequila of choice
- 3 oz. Cointreau
- 3 oz. Fresh lime juice
- 1 lime
- Chili powder (optional)
- Jalapeño (optional)
Directions:
1. Heat grill to 450 degrees
2. Place half of lime (flesh side down) onto grill. Grill momentarily until char marks appear.
3. Cut lime in half and rub lime juice onto rim of mason jar
4. Place margarita salt on plate (add chili powder for spice) and gently place rim of glass in salt
5. (optional step) muddle 1-2 slices of jalapeño in bottom of mason jar for extra spice
5. Fill glass with ice
6. Add equal parts 1.5 oz. tequila, 1.5 oz. Cointreau and 1.5 oz. lime juice in glass
7. Stir and serve
(Serves 2)
Helpful Tip
If you want to pack even less, buy the pre-made margarita mix and all you’ll need are limes, ice and salt! There are some really delicious margarita mix brands out there!
Grilled Pineapple with Rum Sauce
S’mores are SO last summer! Mix up your sweet treats with a tropical twist that’s picture perfect at your “glamp”site!
Here’s my recipe for grilled pineapple with rum sauce!
Ingredients:
- Pineapple
- .5 oz. rum of choice (coconut flavored adds extra “yum”)
- 1 tbs brown sugar
- 1 Porcelain Ramekin
Directions:
1. Heat grill to 450 degrees
2. Mix rum and brown sugar in porcelain ramekin and place on grill
3. Cut pineapple into .5 inch rings
4. Place pineapple rings on grill and leave on until char marks appear
5. Plate pineapple rings on serving platter and top with rum sauce
(Serves a lot!)
Helpful Tip
Pineapples are super camp-friendly since they are resilient and don’t require cold storage. However, if you want to save yourself some hassle of preparation at your glampsite, cut the pineapple into rings ahead of time and freeze them for storage in your cooler.
Simply thaw before you’re ready to grill and you’ve got less prep and a quick and easy dessert!
Helpful Tip
With all glamping meals, it’s easier to prep as much as you can beforehand! That means cutting your pineapples, peeling and cleaning your shrimp and pre-measuring and portioning out any extras (like your butter or sugar) for certain recipes at home.
It’ll save you from a lot of messy cleanup and wasted time once you’re there!
