Hello smart shoppers. Gone camping yet? With the economy the way it is, you lucky people who have campers are just about the only ones who can take a vacation.

I've come up with a few recipes that are a cinch to make while camping. You can get pretty tired of the usual fare: burgers, hot dogs, chicken and steak. Kids love to be able to eat their dinner with a spoon.

What's for dessert? How about whoopie pies? Years ago, when we lived in Connecticut, we had them while visiting friends.

Whoopie pies are the best tasting cake/cookie on the planet. I got the recipe and it became a family favorite. I've seen different recipes in magazines, but none compare with the original. This is a great dessert; just make the cookies and filling at home, then assemble them at the camp site.

MEXICAN FIESTA (NIB)

serves 4

This recipe is an original; and great for camping. Serve it as is, or topped with grated cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes and lettuce and sour cream, if you choose. Roll it in a burrito or tuck it in taco shells.

1 pound ground beef (preferably fresh ground fat-free), or ground turkey

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4-teaspoon pepper

1 can (14-1/2 to 16-ounce) tomatoes, smashed

1 can (14-1/2 to 16-ounce) corn with liquid

1 can (14-1/2 to 16-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

1-1/2 cups beef or chicken stock or bouillon

1 small green pepper, seeded, cut in thin strips

1/2-cup uncooked rice

Brown meat in oil in skillet, leaving in coarse chunks. Add onion, cook until translucent. Add seasonings, tomatoes, corn, beans and stock; bring to a boil. Cook 15 minutes. Add rice; cook 10 minutes more. Add green pepper and cook 10 minutes or until rice is tender, adding more stock or water if necessary.

HOBO STEW (NIB)

serves 6-8

1 pound virtually fat-free fresh ground beef or ground turkey

1/2-pound hot dogs* (sliced)

1 envelope (1-ounce) onion gravy mix

1 can (8-ounce) tomato sauce

1 can (14-1/2 to 16-ounce) mixed vegetables or peas and carrots, drained, or 1 10-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables

1 cup broth, either beef or chicken

Salt and pepper to taste

*Note: Use low-fat beef or turkey hotdogs.

If using frozen vegetables, cook until tender in part of the water; then add water to skillet. If using canned peas and carrots or frozen vegetables, add one 14-1/2 to 16-ounce can of potatoes, rinsed, drained and cubed. (NOTE: canned mixed vegetables contain potatoes.)

In a large skillet, brown meat while breaking up; brown hotdog slices. Stir in remaining ingredients; heat until hot and bubbly.

Serve in bowls with biscuits or bread and a butter substitute.

GIRL SCOUT'S CAMPFIRE STEW (NIB)

When my daughter was in Girl Scouts, this dinner in a bowl was everyone's favorite.

Brown 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey, stir in 1 can condensed vegetable alphabet soup, undiluted. You can also add canned potatoes, rinsed, drained and cubed.

Simmer for about 10 minutes.

HOT ONIONS (NIB)

Enough for a crowd and freezes great. Top your hot dogs or hamburgers with New York-style hot onions.

3 pounds onions, peeled, quartered and sliced thin

2 tablespoons Canola oil

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon catsup

1/2-teaspoon salt

1/2-teaspoon black pepper

Few shakes of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper (optional)

Sauté onions in oil, adding a little water if necessary, until transparent. Add remaining ingredients, cover and cook over low heat until onions are tender.

WHOOPIE PIES

2-1/2 cups flour

1/2-cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4-teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4-teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups sugar

2/3-cups shortening

1 cup milk

2 eggs

2 teaspoon vanilla

Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat until well blended, about 2 to 3 minutes. Drop heaping teaspoons onto cookie sheet, spoon into circles. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool. Sandwich two cookies together stuffed with filling.

FILLING

3 heaping tablespoons flour

1/2-cup milk

3/4-cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4-cup solid shortening (such as Crisco)

Combine all ingredients and beat well with an electric mixer at medium speed. Fill cookies.

To order my cookbook, access more recipes or read past articles, visit my Web site www.romancingthestove.net or e-mail me arlene@romancingthestove.net.