summers are for camping

everything we packed and cooked

This summer marked a big milestone for us because it was our first camping trip as a complete family of four! I always tell myself I'll be practical this time, and somehow still end up underestimating exactly how much I can do (very on brand of me). But hey, that's how we ended up with a camping trip we’ll be talking about for years to come. Between the slightly excessive kitchen gear, we still managed to cook up some amazing meals together and even mixed a few cocktails along the way (after the kids went to bed). Here's how it all came together!

camp kitchen
I’ll admit it, I overpacked again, but in my defense, I need options. There was a moment where we didn’t think everything would fit in the car (it barely fit). But we made it! Stainless steel pieces are essential for the kitchen, both at home and at camp, since it’s durable and versatile. I brought a few varieties like trays, plates, and bowls. I also couldn’t leave my vintage cast iron pot and steamer basket behind, mostly for the vibes but also because it’s perfect for all the comfort food we love cooking out there. This year, we packed our vintage cocktail set too, because mama needs a drink after a full day of camp activities. And of course, no kitchen is complete without the right tools, our hinoki cutting board, tongs, and a few other essentials that made everything possible. (See our camp essentials here!)

camp menu
I usually start brainstorming the menu months in advance, but with two littles in tow, I definitely scrambled at the end. And me being optimistic and positive, I definitely bit off more than I could chew (no pun intended). We ended up making way fewer meals than planned and just leaned into girl dinners and snacking instead. In hindsight, it honestly worked out fine and was probably better that way. Out of all the meals we made, the one that was a unanimous hit across the whole family was our sushi night. It featured a chirashi bowl and tuna sashimi (CTB #1’s dream meal) and was easily the highlight of the trip. Once the kids went to bed, we treated ourselves to a few cocktails while sitting under the redwoods, which felt well earned after a long day. And of course, to power us through the trip, there was no shortage of coffee. Everything just tastes better outside, amirite?

Here’s a recap of some memorable bites:
mains:
- steak + korean banchan (Wes did a phenomenal job on the ribeye!)
- bara chirashi bow. + tuna sashimi
- dim sum lunch featuring xiao long bao (soup dumplings) + zongzi (sticky rice)
- black sesame mochi waffles with peach jam, dried yuzu peel, and more mochi

light bites:
- snack plate featuring tomato jam dipping oil, cured meats, more tomatoes
- random girl dinners + snacks (haha)

drinks:
- ginger yuzu gin tonic (Wes’ specialty!)
- hokkaido corn potage (savory + creamy drink to stay warm!)
- lotsss of cappuccinos (using our new portable espresso machine)

That’s a wrap on our first trip as a family of four! Overpacking and all, it turned out to be the most memorable one yet (even though we now have vacation fatigue and need to rest but can’t because #parentlife). We’re already thinking about where to go next, so stay tuned for more travel and food content soon.

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