At Rabbit Ears Basecamp, good food is part of the adventure. Days here start slow and end full, and there’s nothing better than gathering around the table after your adventures! These are some of our favorite family recipes. They are simple to make, easy to double or triple and perfect for life in the mountains. Enjoy!
🍳 Audrey’s Quick Breakfast Frittata
A Basecamp staple and family favorite. You can make it with whatever you have on hand, and it always tastes like a warm, easy start to the day.
You’ll need
- 8–12 eggs (about 2 per person)
- Half & half or milk
- Salt and pepper
- Breakfast meat (bacon or sausage)
- Veggies (spinach, bell peppers, onions, or whatever’s on hand)
- Shredded cheese
How to make it
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Cook the breakfast meat (if needed) in an oven-safe skillet.
- Add hard veggies like onions or peppers and sauté until softened.
- Mix eggs with milk, salt, pepper, and any soft veggies like spinach.
- Pour over the meat and veggies, cook for about 5 minutes until the bottom sets.
- Top with cheese and move the skillet to the oven.
- Bake for 5–10 minutes until the top is set.
Slide out, slice into wedges and serve!
🍲 Allie’s Slow-Cooker Chili
This recipe is as comforting as it gets. It’s hearty, flavorful, and fills your cabin with the best smells.
You’ll need
- 1–1.5 lbs ground turkey
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3–5 garlic cloves, diced
- 2–3 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp chipotle chili powder (less if you don’t like spice)
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14 oz) can roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1–1.5 boxes chicken broth (enough to cover ingredients)
- 1 (15 oz) can each of kidney, black, and garbanzo beans
- 1 (15 oz) can diced green chiles
- 3 bell peppers, diced
How to make it
- Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil.
- Add turkey and all spices, cooking until browned.
- Transfer everything to a crockpot, stir, and cover with broth.
- Cook on high for 4–5 hours or low for 6–8 hours.
Serve with cheese, green onions, sour cream, or crushed Fritos.
Basecamp Tip
Start it in the morning, then go explore. Dinner will be waiting when you get back.
🍝 Audrey’s Best Bolognese
A rich, slow-cooked sauce that warms you from the inside out. This one fills the cabin with that “something’s cooking” smell all afternoon.
You’ll need
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 lb hamburger
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup beef broth
How to make it
- Sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in olive oil for 5–10 minutes, then add to crockpot.
- Cook hamburger and sausage until browned. Drain and add to the crockpot.
- Stir in tomato paste and spices. Blend well.
- Add crushed tomatoes, milk, and broth.
- Cook on low 6–8 hours to let the flavors meld.
Serve over your favorite pasta with parmesan cheese.
Cabin tip
This sauce freezes beautifully. Make it before you come and defrost for an even easier meal!
🌮 Ginny’s Basecamp Crunch
Equal parts comfort food and fun, this recipe is easy, and perfect for feeding a hungry crew.
You’ll need
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 large onion
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 3 cups tomato paste
- Bags of Doritos
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 4 tbsp sugar
- Oregano, cumin, and salt to taste
- Water as needed
- Toppings: Lettuce, green peppers, cheddar cheese, sour cream, onions
How to make it
- Brown beef with onion, drain excess fat.
- Add tomato sauce, paste, sugar, and spices. Simmer briefly.
- Cook in a crockpot on low for 6–8 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve over Doritos and top with your favorite toppings!
Basecamp Tip
For fun, serve it straight in individual Dorito bags. The kids will love it and it makes cleanup easy!
🥜Grandpa’s Beanut Puster Ice Cream Cake
Part ice cream cake, part fudge sundae, and always a hit after a big day outside.
You’ll need
- 22 Oreo cookies, crushed
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
- 1/2 stick butter, melted
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 cup sugar
- Splash of milk
- Lightly salted peanuts
How to make it
- Mix crushed Oreos with melted butter and press into a 9×13 dish. Freeze until firm.
- Spread softened vanilla ice cream evenly over the crust. Return to the freezer until solid.
- In a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa, sugar, and a splash of milk. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Pour the cooled fudge sauce over the ice cream layer and sprinkle with peanuts.
- Return to the freezer until set. Remove 10–15 minutes before serving to make slicing easier.
Basecamp Tip:
Make it the night before so dessert is ready whenever the craving hits. It’s a great mountain birthday cake too!
🍪 Everyone’s Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies
Warm, chewy and impossible to stop at one!
You’ll need
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups biscuit baking mix
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Sugar for coating
How to make it
- Mix everything together until smooth.
- Roll dough into 1.5 inch balls, roll in sugar and place on a cookie sheet.
- Bake at 375°F for 6–8 minutes.
Basecamp Tip
Make more than you think! Since there are no eggs, this dough gets eaten by bystanders before it’s baked.
Here’s to good food, good company, and wild adventures waiting just beyond your cabin door. From our family to yours…come hungry, leave happy and stay wild!
What are your favorite simple recipes for the mountains?
