I saw this years ago and always wanted to try it to see what kinds of looks I could get in the Union pulling one of these out of my backpack. Was always too
of food poisoning to try it though.
Backpack Chicken
Cook your chicken in a backpack while going on a hike.
* 1 (3-pound) whole chicken
* 18-inch heavy-duty aluminum foil
* 3 rocks (see instructions below)
* Tongs
* Heavy gloves
* 2-inch stack of newspaper
* 1 cup barbecue sauce
* 1 medium-size backpack
The key to “backpack cooking” a chicken is in selecting the right kinds and sizes of rocks that will be heated to cook the chicken. Select rocks that are completely dry and have not been sitting in water or in a streambed. When wet rocks are heated, they can pop open and even explode. Also, avoid using sandstone or limestone rock, as they are too porous.
* Select one rock that is the size of both your hands clasped together. This should fill the cavity of the chicken. Select two rocks the size of a loose open fist, for placing under the wings during cooking. Scrub the rocks with soap and water and thoroughly dry. (Don't worry — the small amount of time the rocks are wet while being washed will not cause them to explode.)
* If you are concerned about the cleanliness of the rocks, wrap them in foil.
* Build a campfire.
* Always wear heavy gloves when working with hot rocks. After cleaning the rocks, set them on the open fire and allow to heat for 35 to 45 minutes. With tongs or a stick, turn over the rocks and leave them in the fire until they are thoroughly heated. Rocks can be heated on a very hot bed of charcoal briquettes or over gas burners; turn the rocks frequently to heat through evenly.
* While the rocks are heating, locate your two-inch pile of newspapers. Take each section of newspaper and open it as if you were reading the center pages. Stack the newspapers on top of each other until you have a one-inch stack.
* Clean the chicken and place it in the center of a sheet of 18- inch heavy-duty aluminum foil large enough to go around the chicken with about 7 inches left on each side.
* Put on heavy gloves. Stretch the chicken cavity and insert the largest hot rock. Place another rock under each wing.
* Check the rocks to see that they are sizzling and the chicken is beginning to cook. Heat from the rocks actually cooks the chicken. Pour 1 cup of barbecue sauce over the chicken.
* Using the drugstore wrap (see “Get Wrapped Up in Aluminum Foil Cooking”, bring the foil sides together at the top of the chicken, roll into small folds, flatten the sides and roll ends to the center. Place the wrapped chicken at the corner of the newspaper pile. Roll the chicken again and again in the newspapers, tucking in the sides as you roll. Use all of the newspapers around the chicken. Place the wrapped package inside the backpack. If it feels too warm against your back, add more layers of newspaper between the wrapped chicken and the backpack. Papers are insulation to hold the heat inside the chicken. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 175ºF. Two to three hours later, unwrap and enjoy!
