My Hoboes Recipe:

This makes two servings. This is, by far, my favorite meal when I am out camping. The ketchup, mustard, and broth created by the beef and vegetables makes an incredibly tasty, rich, and hearty sauce.

• One roaring campfire burned down to very hot coals. It helps to keep a second fire going to add more hot coals as they cook as it can sometimes take 1 ½ to 2 hours to get fully done.


• Two sheets of very heavy duty aluminum foil.


• 1 pound lean ground chuck or sirloin. Lean is the key. Ground beef is just too greasy for this recipe as it will make the sauce very oily.


• Two large potatoes cut into slices lengthwise with the skin still on. Remove the skin if this bothers you beforehand at home. I love the earthy taste of them and they are also very healthy.


• Two carrots skinned and sliced into small chunks lengthwise. If you make too big slices then it takes forever to get them done which was my problem Tuesday night.


• One large Vidalia or white onion cut into slices. I much prefer Vidalias for their sweet mildness.


• 1 cup ketchup and ½ cup mustard.

Place pieces of aluminum foil flat on a surface. Salt and pepper ground chuck or sirloin to taste and form into two large patties. Place patties on aluminum foil and form a bowl with the foil. Cover patties with carrots, potatoes, and onions. Lightly salt and pepper the vegetables. Mix ketchup and mustard together and pour over meat and vegetables reserving enough for each. Wrap up tightly and carefully to hold in the steam which allows the vegetables to cook more thoroughly and for the beef to cook tender. You may want to occasionally open the foil to check the vegetables for tenderness as they cook with a knife or fork.

You can also cook these in the oven although you will have to experiment with the temperature and time. I would say around 375 to 400 degrees for an hour or so.