Camp-Stove Favourite: Lentils and Sausage

This is probably my favourite camping recipe. We make it every summer when we go camping and never get tired of it! I learned how to make this recipe from my step-dad while camping with my family as a kid.

I remember him always making it on the camp-stove and it was always one of the highlights of the trip – especially when we were hot and tired from a long day of hiking.

It’s easy to make on the camp stove and only uses minimal ingredients (that are camping friendly) and feeds about 2-4 people. (You can make it at-home too if you aren’t able to get out camping!)

What you’ll need:

• 1 Diced onion
• 1 Can of diced tomatoes
• 1 Can of lentils
• 1 Kolbassa sliced into rounds or cubed (or other smoked and pre-cooked sausage)
• Salt & pepper
• 1 Tablespoon of ketchup
• 1 Teaspoon of mustard
• 1-2 Tablespoons of butter

Instructions:

1. In the bottom of a medium pot melt about 2 tablespoons of butter. Add in your diced onion and start to soften.
2. Once the onion is softened, add in your sliced Kolbassa (or Kielbasa) (or other smoked and precooked sausage) and allow to cook and lightly brown. If you can’t get Kolbassa you can use something like Schneiders Naturally Hardwood Smoked Sausages in Classic.
3. Pour in the whole can of diced tomatoes & lentils, including the liquid in both. The water in the lentils contains more starch and actually helps to thicken the stew.
4. Once those are combined, add in your salt & pepper as well as your mustard and ketchup. You can add more or less ketchup and mustard but this is my personal favourite amount. The ketchup acts a bit like tomato paste to get a more intense tomatoe flavour but its more convenient when camping as you’ll likely already have it with you for camping (cooking hot dogs etc.).
5. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes to reduce a little and combine all of the flavours.

*For extra flair you could also add in garlic or some dried herbs (oregano & basil etc.) but this version is the simplest and easiest camping version.

This recipe is awesome when paired with some buttered rolls or bread and a nice cold beer (or soda for the kids). I promise once you try it sitting around a campfire you’ll want to make it every year.

If you try it out let me know what you think down below in the comments!

Write soon,

Hannah B.L.