This Hobo Dinner just may change your life!

The first time I had a Hobo Dinner was when I was 12. Mom, Dad, Mike & I were camping in the summer in CO. Once the tent was sent up, the campfire wood was gathered and the campfire was built, mom and I started the meal prep. I remember washing my hands with water from our jug, making sure not to waste it! If something dropped on the ground, I would do a quick rinse and try to make sure it became part of my brother’s meal ((hahaha))!

Making it your own!

Each person’s uncooked meal was placed on a foil square and folded up–like a hobo’s sack and placed on the fire. Dad and Mike managed it from there. My favorite part of the meal was when I opened up my very own pouch after a long, hard day of “roughing it” breathing in that home-cooked aroma.

Just for a minute, as I opened my pouch and peered in, hit with the aroma of a Sunday dinner at home, I could trick myself into thinking a date with a rock pillow was not in my future — when in fact it was…

Mom had a way of bringing home to where ever we were. I loved that meal then and still do. What is funny about this meal, is the very reason it became a traditional campsite meal makes it equally perfect for a busy week night in the suburbs. Very little prep, very little mess, very simple clean-up and VERY tasty!

I most recently brought this meal to NM. Skiing, hiking, exploring were all part of the week – but I also had a 9 year-old turning into a 10 year-old and I wanted him to have a “special” birthday meal. Like a light bulb turning on in my brain – Hobo Dinners immediately came to mind! Home cooking at it’s simplest AND best.

Hobo Dinner Tips:

To make it a bit more special, I added a nice thick slice of bacon to the bottom of each pouch. He loved it!! Brod larped it up and clapped with joy – he felt special and I didn’t feel overwhelmed trying to create a special meal in a cabin in the woods.

I thought everyone knew why Hobo dinners were called Hobo dinners, but after talking with Laura – I realized that isn’t the case. She thought we were having hobos over for dinner.

Once, she realized that wasn’t the case, she wondered if it was a costume dinner, last if we were eating out of cans that had been heated over an open fire…I had a good laugh imaging the pictures flooding her mind when I told her our menu that night.

I hope your family enjoys these tasty packets as much as we do…whether roughing in the woods or rushed in the suburbs, this meal is sure to bring a smile to your family’s face!