Hamburger-a-la-Foil: Metaphor, Allegory, Writing + Hubpages = Connections

Do you remember the first time you went camping? What did you have for dinner? Maybe you were in the Awana Club International, or the Girl Scouting program, or the Boy Scouting Program, a member of the Boy & Girls Club of America, or it was with the ‘Y’MCA.

A favorite for a single day camp or over-nighter is Hamburger-a-la-Foil. Many know it as hobo cooking. A simple recipe to be learned and offers some really weird objective lessons too! Really basic stuff is all that is needed. Not quite as weird as ‘caveman’ steak, but hamburger-a-la-foil may be the teaser. The basic recipe follows:

1. · ground beef – about the size of a baseball or tennis ball
2. · onions – add to taste and preference by slice(s)
3. · carrots – pile them on
4. · potatoes – don’t slice to thin, about a potatoes worth
5. · salt and pepper – To taste and add only to those other ingredients you want to flavor
6. · Aluminum foil – about a square foot will do

Potatoes are best sliced width wise, peeling is optional. I recommend onions for flavor for sure, but again slice thick to get rid of ‘em if not a favorite to eat.

OK, Place the aluminum foil down, shiny side up to cook faster or dull side up for slower. Over the years of experimentation it has been found that it is best to place the onion first. Next, turn the ball of hamburger into a thick patty. Wetting your hands first makes it a little easier. Put that scrumptious patty on top of the onion in the center of aluminum foil.

Now, toss some carrots on top of that in any which way you like. Some people like to look at their food when eating, so be creative. Remember to salt and pepper as you like with each layer too! Now, for the crème de le crème, gently arrange your potatoes on that growing stack. Some like them neatly on top and others spilling off to the edges.

Next, for the preparation phase, lift the edges of two opposite sides of the aluminum foil. Fold over each other continuously downward. You can use several methods here. Some fold neatly, others crumble downward haphazardly, while others have been known to throw out the instructions and just wad up all four sides into a ball. The important part is to make sure it is tightly sealed.

When, the day is done, build a great campfire and then let it burn down to some hot coals. About this time experience teaches your stomach is gnawing at you or growling like a hungry bear. Reach in the cooler, grab the answer, and simply toss it into those coals. Give it about 30 minutes of cooking time. What about the shiny sides making it cook faster? Are you hungry or somethun’? Best give it about 30 minutes. Flip it a couple of times, since you tossed it in and don’t know top from bottom. Sound like a good reason.

OK, it’s ready, now. If you folded it then simply unzip it and fold over. If you crumbled downward, then be careful with your fingers, it may be hot. If you wadded it up, then watch out for the splatter of any cooked fats.

Now, enjoy with or without utensils. That decision goes to what mom taught you and if you feel rebellious or not. M’m, M’m – a tasty meal indeed. Especially if it is your first ever meal cooked and, on a rough and tough campfire too. Oh, don’t worry about stoking up the fire to a blaze. The adults usually do that. It offers light to see what you’re eating while sitting in a campfire circle.

Savor the moment of their delight of cooking their first meal, ever. Maybe it is their first day trip or camping trip or even leaving the city. Pictures are optional, but you may not get the real reactions if there are to be photo ops. The consolation is in knowing that memories last a lifetime.

Tie in some discussion of their accomplishment. Ask probing questions about their experience from the beginning with the preparation phase leading to the satisfaction of cooking and eating the prized meal. If you want to teach morals to this, go for it.

Some points of interest to consider are that aluminum foil was invented in 1889. Although back some years about 1825 that aluminum was discovered, it didn’t have a practical use until later. It wasn’t produced until 1910 when a rolling machine was patented.

You can talk about recycling too! This is a good lead into discussions of ecology. Asking questions like why it is important to toss soda cans in the recycle bin or how long it takes to decompose will cause wonderment. They will be amazed it takes 90 – 100 years.

Maybe a discussion of history may be interjected. Research shows hamburger-a-la-foil going back to Boy’s Life editions from March 1949. It has dotted Boy’s Life ever since.

Then, there are health questions too. Although cooking with aluminum, the danger may not be that relevant. It may be ground round instead of hamburger too. The basic recipe plan has used other meats as well like chicken.

Now, depending on the time of year, clean up has been completed, a few rounds of songs have been sung, then ghost story telling is in order. This requires a bright, blazing fire for shadows to be cast here and there.

Thank you for Allowing Me to Share

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