Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Desert Skies

I came to camping later in life--post childhood yet pre-children.  It's been a terrific way of seeing the least seen: Anza-Borrego, Bryce Canyon, King's Canyon, Joshua Tree.  And now that we're almost post-children, there's so much more space in the car for firewood and food.

Lamb kebobs:

2lbs cubed lamb, sized for a skewer
(preferably from the leg, as it will cook more quickly and tenderly)
Place cubed meat in a ziploc bag.  Add two cloves minced garlic, a teaspoon of dried rosemary, lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a quarter cup of olive oil. Marinate for at least an hour before placing onto skewers.  Grill 4 minutes a side, or until meat is medium rare.

While the meat is marinating and the grill hot, skewer red onions and chunks of red peppers. Grill until slightly charred on each side.  I like warming them up on the grill a bit just before serving.

To serve:
Scatter arugula over your plates.  Top with your skewered meats and vegetables.

Afterwards gather round the campfire and sing U2 hymns.










9 comments:

  1. Did I ever tell you I make a mean Musaka? I use lamb.

    A young married couple took me on my first camping trip when I was 14. Kings Canyon near roads end.

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  2. The Girl Scouts are going camping in just a few weeks. But We can't go. m has her confirmation.

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  3. I camped a ton as a child but can't muster up the energy to so it with small children. In a few years! Love the lamb idea - I was going to make chicken Kebobs this weekend but you've chaned my mind!

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  4. Bec--3 babies and cooking? Chapeau! I remembered being befuddled with TWO.
    M: Congrats on the confirmation!
    PA: LOVE Musaka! AH: :)

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  5. I'd love to go camping, but J is not interested. I did a bit with friends while I was single and it's a great way to vacate.

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  6. P: Buy your hubby an air mattress, and tempt him with thoughts of intimacy under the stars ;)

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  7. Camping is cheap - which is part of my esthetic.

    Locally, I like Horse Thief Flats - or #13 in Little Pine loop which is part of Chilaeo. For Joshua Tree it's Black Rock camp ground in site #30. Right at the entrance but it's a nice space. Clean, new, flush multi toilet bathroom nearby. Great hiking. It's only a few miles from Yucca Valley so you just drive into town to eat. Yucca Valley has everything you need including thrift stores. Kings Canyon is the campground nearest the Hotel and general store/showers etc. I think it's #2.

    your welcome

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  8. Black Rock is where we were! Although not spot 30; I loved it because it had shade, impossible to find in most other Joshua Tree camp sites. Will keep your other recommendations in mind--LOVE King's Canyon--haven't been there since my son was an infant.
    (It was the first time I'd camped in an area that had BEAR boxes; since my son looked like a plump rabbit, we slept in the car.)

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