It's All In The Name

I've actually called what I am about to share with you a lot of different things. But most of the titles include either campfire or hobo. The campfire reference makes sense. These would be very simple to include in any family camping trip and cooked over the open flame. But the hobo part? I'm not complete sure where that comes from. I am guessing because they can be made pretty cheap and the aluminum foil packet might have something to do with it. Either way, my family has been enjoying them for years, but I've never made them until now. 

My mom and grandma make them whenever they are visiting and my dad used to make them all the time when him and his best friend were on fishing trips. I've eaten theirs and enjoyed them but just never thought to make them myself. But when I came across a recipe for them in my new Gooseberry Patch cookbook, it jogged my memory and I decided they were a must try. However, instead of hamburger I decided to use some round steak I had in the freezer. 

And that actually turned into a great tip for all of you. If you have a cut of steak that tends to be a little tough, this is a great recipe for it. Cut the steak into portion size pieces and tenderize it. Turn it into a "cube steak" for lack of a better word. (Or by all means, buy some cube steaks and use those.) And then this turned into yet another tip for you. (What can I say? I'm full of them today.) If you are like me, and don't own a meat tenderizer, you can still easily make it happen. Simply take a dessert plate, turn it on end and pound the meat in each direction using the edge of the plate. It will create the same effect and works every time. So no matter what you call these, or even what yo put in them, they are a simple meal perfect for any campfire or dinner table any night of the week.

Grilled Hobo Dinners  

Adapted from 101 Cozy Casseroles

1 large round steak, cut into 3-4 pieces and tenderized

3 medium red potatoes, sliced thin

3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

1 small white onion, thinly sliced

1 medium green pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

1 tsp dried parsley

3 TBS Worcestershire

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

2 TBS olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a small bowl combine Worcestershire, garlic powder, and onion powder. Brush both sides of each steak liberally with marinade. Season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, carrots, onion, green pepper, olive oil, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss gently making sure to coat with oil. Lay out 2 large pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil for each packet you are making. Place one steak in each. Divide veggies equally among each. Wrap each tightly and then wrap again in a second piece of foil. You have to have a double layer. Preheat grill to medium. Place foil packets on grill and cook on medium for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 45 minutes to 1 hour until meat done and veggies tender, turning occasionally.

*NOTE* Mine get a little crisp on one side, but we enjoy that. If you don't, reduce the entire cooking temperature to low and check after 30 minutes.

Shared at Lady Behind The Curtain Aug. 29, 2012
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Aug. 30, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Aug. 31, 2012