Recipe(tried): Dinner on the campground - Paella

We're here on cool Cape Cod - I think it's the only place in the country that's still hasn't declared summer - But since it was 94 degrees when we left home in FL, this is quite pleasant.

Anyone who thinks that "camping" is just hot dogs and hamburgers hasn't had the pleasure of our adventurous group here. The seasonals who come year after year, have a wonderful time outdoing each other with unique dishes - we could all contribute to a cookbook on cooking in RV/camper kitchens - it's amazing what comes out of these little kitchens.

Since we come here year after year, and stay 3-4 months, most of our kitchens are almost as well equiped as our home kitchens, just on a smaller scale.

Well, on to our Sunday all-day cooking party. Eight of us got together and did a huge paella!

Each person had "their" ingredients to get and prepare - and we started at 2pm doing all the prep work, and ate about 5pm when all was done.

The ingredients were:

Lobster tails, cut into sections
Clams (dug ourselves, of course)
Chicken pieces
Kielbasa
Shrimp
Cod
Mussels
Green & Red Peppers
Onions
Garlic
Tomatoes
Broth
Rice
Saffron, Salt, Pepper

We started the whole process in a large lobster pot over a propane cooker by sauteeing the veggies until soft - then removed them, added chicken pieces, kielbasa, frying them until brown, then covering and lowering the heat to simmer till pretty well done - about 25 minutes.

Then we added the liquid ingredients, returned the veggies to the mix, added the seasonings and rice and cooked together about 10 more minutes.

We then transferred an equal amount into three large 9 x 12 casserole dishes, and topped each with the lobster tails, clams, mussels, shrimp and cod, making sure lots of the juice was poured over the top for flavoring. We then took these to our individual kitchens, baked them in our little ovens for another 25 minutes at 350 degrees until the clams were open and lobster done.

Then we ran them hot back to the central campsite, had fresh French baguettes, still warm from the oven, wine, beer, and dug in! Oh, boy, was it terrific! Then Boston Creme Pie for dessert.

Some time in July, we plan to do a Thanksgiving dinner since none of us are together that time of year.

It was a great day on Cape Cod!

June

Editor's note:
Additional Post - Paella Ingredient Quantities