I've been making this in varying forms more times than I could possibly count. It is our families staple breakfast on camping weekends. Me preparing this and enjoying it as a family will no doubt be one of our strongest memories of our camping years.
Basics:
1 package of bacon
1 bag of frozen potatoes o'brien
6-8 eggs (more or less to your taste)
couple good hand fulls of shredded cheese
your favorite seasoning
Options to add:
additional diced onions/peppers
left over kabob meat/vegies
pork sausage
venison sausage
hot sauce
maybe something SMOKED??
you get the picture, if you like it...throw it in.
Ideally this is cooked in a cast iron skillet over an open fire with just the right amount of fire and ashes burning hot (but not too hot too cause a 3 alarm fire in the campground when the bacon grease splatters/ignites. Dad losing a few arm hairs and eyebrows is of course added entertainment. Yes the challenges of an open fire are great but the rewards well worth it...the flavor of a campfire meal is just something else.
Now if you would like to play it on the safe side, cooking this in the kitchen or on electric skillet works just fine too...just not as fun
. Brown the bacon to your preference of crispycritterness and remove to cool on paper towel.
LEAVE ALL THAT GREASE IN THE PAN and add the hashbrowns or cubed potatoes and season...while that is browning you've got time to break up the bacon pieces (to be added back in later) and crack the eggs into a bowl, mix in with the cheese (to be added in the final step).
Keep one eye on those bacon pieces if you turn your back on them I guarantee the pile will be smaller than when you started I don't know where it goes when I'm not looking but I've got my suspicions! OR you can cook extra bacon for an added distraction for those that just can't wait to nibble on something. After all camping is hardwork and everyone is hungry.
Pay close attention to those potatoes and keep on turning....be patient...if you have a hot campfire you've got to keep working it or it will burn in a very short time...if your on the stove or electric skillet you've got more time to relax and let it simmer between turns but don't be lazy here...plus...this is your time to visit and laugh while your cooking and by now the smells have everyone going. At the right time of cooking the hashbrowns add your "options" added onions etc...I don't have a good rule here...but whatever your putting in you want them to be cooked to the level you want them when those hashbrowns are Deep Golden Brown with hints of blackening.
When the spuds are browned most of the bacon grease has probably been absorbed...if not don't worry this is where the eggs/cheese come in.
Throw in your Bacon and Dump in your bowl of cheese/eggs and keep working it with the spatula. Mix it up good so the eggs are completely introduced to every nook and cranny of potatoes.
Once you've got it all mixed up you can ease up on the spatula. If a group of people aren't standing around you with tongues hanging out plates in hand ring the breakfast bell to let them know it's almost ready.
Use your judgement when it's done...you'll like how it looks. I prefer to work the hash till I've got it all good and golden browned.
Eat up and enjoy.
If you cooked it over the fire you will probably need a shower or a swim in the lake as you'll be drenched in sweat from the fire.