photo by jspatchwork

My family used to call them hobo dinners; we sometimes cooked them over an open campfire. I have one particularly fond childhood memory of us sitting around the fire on a pebble beach preparing a meal from foil pouches. The night was so serene you could hear the fish jump and watch the fireflies flit while the fire crackled.

Now that I’m an adult, I’ve discovered that foil-packet meals are convenient for backyard grilling, too. If you’re pressed for time, you can make them in advance. Because they leave no dirty pans or grill to scrub afterward, they are a great solution for a relaxing autumn meal, even straight from the packet. Picky eaters aren’t a problem: With foods lined up buffet-style, diners can add what they want to their packets. You can oven bake, grill, or cook them over an open fire. The foil seals in flavors and prevents the food from drying out. The food combinations are endless, too. Be creative.

Budget Burger Wrap

1 square of heavy-duty aluminum foil about 20 inches by 20 inches
1 ground beef patty
diced onion, to taste
1 potato, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices or cubed
1 carrot, cut into small sections, or 4 baby carrots
1 celery stalk, chopped
sprinkle of garlic powder
splash of Worcestershire sauce

Stack the ingredients in the middle of the foil in the order listed. Double-fold the foil over 1 inch to make a tight seal at the top, then double-fold the ends. Grill over medium heat for 20 minutes, or bake in a preheated 350 F oven for about 1 hour. Cooking times may vary, so peek into the packet after 15 minutes.
Servings: 1 per wrap

Grilled Corn

1/2 stick of butter
4 ears of corn, husked
salt and pepper, to taste
3 ice cubes

Spread butter onto corn. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Place a few ice cubes into the foil before wrapping. Double-fold the foil over 1 inch and double-fold the ends.
Grill over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Flip once halfway through grilling time.
Serves 4

Apple Dessert Wraps

1 medium-sized apple
cinnamon, to taste
3 tablespoons brown sugar
walnuts, pecans and raisins, to taste
caramel, optional
ice cream, optional

Peel and core apple. Slice the apple thin, or cube it. Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Add nuts and/or raisins. Place ingredients in foil and double-fold ends so the foil is sealed.

Grill for 15 minutes. You can drizzle it with caramel and add ice cream or whipped cream.
Each apple wrap serves one.

Foil-packet tips:
– It’s better to use several small packets than a single large packet.
– Heavy-duty foil holds up well.
– Wrap loosely for better heat circulation.
– Use double 1-inch folds when you bring up the sides and on each end.
– Steam vegetables by adding a couple of ice cubes to the wraps.
– Be careful as you open the packets so you don’t get burned.
– Use nonstick oil spray to prevent food from sticking.
– Use grilling tongs and oven mitts to turn packets.

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