Yes, it is possible to prepare a meal without any cooking pots or pans and solely using things found in nature. This style of cooking is often referred to as "primitive" or "wilderness" cooking and relies on using natural materials and methods to cook food. Here are some examples of how you can prepare a meal using only what nature provides:
Open Fire Cooking: Build a fire using wood and stones. Once you have a good bed of hot coals, you can cook food directly on the coals or use green sticks to skewer and cook food over the open flame.
Hot Rocks Cooking: Heat large rocks in a fire and then place them in a dug-out pit or a container made from bark or animal hide. Layer the rocks with food, such as meat or vegetables, and cover the top with more rocks or natural coverings like leaves or mud. The heat from the rocks will cook the food slowly.
Leaf Wrapping: Use large, sturdy leaves (banana leaves, for example) to wrap food items like fish or meat. Secure the leaves with natural fibers or sticks, and then place the wrapped food on hot coals or directly on a fire to cook.
Steam Cooking: Dig a hole in the ground and line it with leaves or bark. Place water and food (such as root vegetables or fish) in the hole and cover it with more leaves or natural materials. Heat stones in a fire and then place them in the hole with the food, causing the water to steam and cook the food.
Raw Foraging: Some foods can be safely eaten raw, such as fruits, nuts, and certain vegetables. Foraging for edible plants and fruits can provide a meal without the need for cooking.
Curing and Drying: Some foods can be preserved and made edible through curing, drying, or fermentation, which doesn't require cooking. For example, you can make dried fruit or jerky from meat.
It's important to note that cooking in this manner requires knowledge of wilderness survival and proper food preparation to ensure safety and avoid consuming toxic or harmful substances. Additionally, always be respectful of nature and follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize your impact on the environment while practicing wilderness cooking.