Under the Median: Veggie Foil Packets Cooked In My Solar Oven

Anytime I can find a way to keep heat out of the house in the summer, I do it. I utilize my crock pots, pressure cooker, haul my toaster oven out to the back patio, or I just plain avoid recipes which involve heat. I actually have one very unique way to avoid adding heat to my kitchen.

I have a solar oven!

My older boys designed and built this unit probably ten years ago as a 4H project. It takes food between 4 and 6 hours to cook in it on any day with bright, direct sunshine.

The mirror focuses the rays of the sun into the cooking area, heating it to about 250 degrees. Although not as efficient as the more expensive commercial versions, this one is great fun!

If you don't have a solar oven, keep reading!

I understand that probably no one reading this post owns a solar oven. No worries! I give you instructions for cooking the packets over a campfire, in a barbecue grill, or in a traditional oven.

We generally think of meal packets as being something that we learned to during weekend camping trips in Scouts. But, they can be a treat throughout the year and, best of all, there are so many derivations, that each family member can design his or her own packet with their favorite seasonings and ingredients.

Let's get started!

You'll need:

2 sheets of foil, measuring 1 foot by 2 feet in length per packet.
Your choice of veggies to stuff inside the packets
Your choice of seasonings.

Step 1: Assemble veggies

We used (from left to right): carrots, sweet potato, red and yellow potatoes, yellow squash, green beans, yellow onion, and garlic. We have folks in my house with a variety of tastes. So, I like to offer a wide variety of filling options and let everyone pick out what they want to go into their packet.

Step 2: Chop into even sized cubes

Step 3: Assemble seasoning choices

We used (from left to right): salt free garden seasoning, smoked paprika, Kirkland brand organic no-salt seasoning from Costco, fresh cracked black pepper, onion powder, and no salt chili powder.

Of course, we didn't put every spice mixture into every packet. I had them all lined up on the table and each family selected the specific spices that they wanted in their packet. Also, summer is the perfect time to use fresh herbs, as well!

Step 4: Lay out your foil

Lay two pieces of foil per packet in a "cross" shape on the table. Honestly, we just cleared the entire table off and filled the foil in assembly line style. This was hands down the easiest and most efficient approach.

Step 5: Fill the foil squares

Unless you are making all of your packets identically, be sure that you arrange the packets on the table in a fashion that allows you to track which packet belongs to each family member. For instance, I started with the first packet in line and designated that one as belonging to my husband, the next in line as mine, and then down the children in order by age.

Step 6: Fold the packets

Fold the top layer of foil, bringing the longest edges together.

Fold over the top edge all along the entire length of the top, creating a seal.

Fold the edges over, like you are wrapping up a gift.

Place this in the middle of the second sheet of foil and repeat the exact same process.

As soon as you finish wrapping each packet, write the name of the recipient on the top.

(I may or may no know this from screwing up this step and having to physically unwrap each and every single packet and try to figure out from the fillings and seasonings whom it belonged to. ) 😁

Step 8: Cook!

For me, this meant throwing it into my trusty solar oven, aiming the mirror to concentrate the sun's rays onto the cooking surface and checking it every 45 - 60 minutes throughout the afternoon to see if I needed to adjust the angle of the unit or the mirror.

For you, unless you, too have a solar oven, you will be choosing to put your packets on: