ONE SKILLET MEALS

It's camping season! But much of the upper Midwest and West are suffering severe drought, which means fire restrictions. No roasting wieners over an open fire, no fire roasted chicken or ribs, no flame broiled burgers or NY Strips. When I can't stick something on the end of a stick and cook it over a fire, I like to keep my meals as simple as possible. Which means one pot meals. I take liberal advantage of Vigo one package meals like Red beans and Rice or Santa Fe Rice. Add water and a little ham, smoked sausage and or chicken, and in twenty minutes you have a meal. Fried Spam and egg sandwiches are also a staple in dry weather camping. Add a slice of Muenster cheese and a little spicy brown mustard...mmmmmm, hog heaven!

Here are 3 extremely easy one skillet meals, perfect for camping.

Breakfast Skillet:
1lb breakfast Sausage
1 med Onion, chopped
1 med Bell Pepper, chopped (optional)
1 16 oz pkg Hash Browns, thawed (or if using dried, reconstituted)
1 doz. Eggs, scrambled
8 0z sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (or 8 slices American cheese)

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, break up sausage and brown. Add onions and cook, stirring, until they start to soften. Add Hash Browns, continue cooking, turning occasionally, until potatoes start to brown. Stir in eggs, cover and cook about five minutes or so, until eggs begin to set and just start to brown. Use a spatula and turn eggs over in sections, pressing on whole mess lightly. Cover and cook till eggs are completely set. Top with cheese, cover, and cook till cheese is melted (around 90 secs or so). Serves 6 to 8

Vacation Hash:
2 T Butter
1 small Onion, chopped
2 cans Roast Beef (these are about the size of a large can of tuna)
2 16oz cans diced Irish Potatoes, drained

Melt butter in large skillet. Add onions, saute until just soft. Add roast beef with gravy, and potatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, till meat and potatoes start to brown. Serves 3 to 4.

Western Skillet Rice:
1 lb Ground Beef
1 env. Lipton's Onion Soup Mix
1 1/2 cp Water
3/4 cp long grain White Rice or Converted Rice (NO MINUTE RICE!)
1 16oz can stewed Tomatoes
1 6oz can Peas
1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded

In medium skillet, break up and brown meat, stirring frequently. Stir in onion soup mix, water, rice, tomatoes and peas (with liquid). Simmer, covered, about 25 minutes or until rice is tender. Top with cheese. Makes 4-6 servings.