Campfire Cooking
Sweet Plantains in Foil on the Coals
September 23, 2026Maduros go with everything in Dana's family. How we pick ripe plantains, wrap them in foil and get them caramelized on campfire coals.
Campfire Pizza in a Cast-Iron Skillet
August 19, 2026Store-bought dough, a lid with coals on top and plenty of trial and error. Our camp skillet pizza, now Nico's pick for his seventh birthday.
Mango Season in Our Backyard
June 18, 2026Our old Haden tree drops more fruit than four people can eat. Mango bread, frozen chunks for camp and the neighbors who get a bag.
Make-Ahead Freezer Meals for a Two-Week Camper Trip
June 8, 2026Six dinners frozen flat in bags double as ice for the first days. What we cooked ahead, how we packed the cooler and what we'd skip.
Fish Tacos From the Snapper Nico Caught at Bahia Honda
April 8, 2026One mangrove snapper, barely a keeper, cooked on the griddle with cabbage slaw. How a six-year-old's first real catch became dinner for four.
Is a Flat-Top Griddle Worth the Space at a Campsite?
March 10, 2026We bought a 22-inch tabletop griddle for camper trips. Pancakes, smash burgers, cleanup and whether it earned its spot in the Pilot.
Nochebuena, a Caja China and the One Night We Never Camp
December 22, 2025Christmas Eve at Dana's parents' house means a whole pig in a roasting box and a late night. Why no winter trip of ours starts before it.
One-Skillet Chili for the First Cool Night of the Year
November 4, 2025When it finally dropped to 62 degrees, we made chili in the 12-inch skillet over the backyard fire pit. The recipe, toppings and cleanup.
Black Beans and Rice at Camp, the Way Dana's Dad Makes Them
September 24, 2025Rafael's black beans start with a sofrito he makes at home. How we carry it, cook it on a camp stove and stretch one pot over two dinners.