Backpacking Meals

[skeptic]

I'm going to have to try that bannock sometime.

Me too. Even just the car camping I do it sounds like a great campfire treat.

 

[gary78bronco]

I use to get out back packing a little bit. I always liked to get dehydrated hash browns and reconstitute them for breakfast. like these

 

[Rock Taco]

I really like the idea of getting together and taste testing some of these and also trying some different recipes. Any one want to volunteer their house?

I also found this video pretty informative.

[video=youtube;TZ0PWskxlOI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ0PWskxlOI[/video]

 

[sixstringsteve]

I will volunteer my house if nobody else wants to do it at their place.

 

[Kevin B.]

Anybody have experience dehydrating their own trail foods? Seems like an awesome option, after the upfront investment in the dehydrator.

http://www.backpackingchef.com/food-dehydrator.html

edit to add - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1-QKLVjq_Q

edit to add again - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JUHxrKJ81c






One of the perils of working graveyard shift over the holidays is the risk of having online conversations with yourself on web forums. This is a sign that I am bored and already tired of winter, and should not be taken as an indication of my mental stability or lack thereof.

 

[sixstringsteve]

very timely post Kevin, I've been wanting to learn to use a dehydrator.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Killer price on an excalibur. I'm tempted to pull the trigger, though I'm not sure I need one this big.

http://www.amazon.com/Excalibur-3900B-Deluxe-Dehydrator-Black/dp/B004Z915M4

 

[Kevin B.]

From what I'm reading, those are the bomb. You should buy one, and I'll bring my vacuum sealer over, and we'll have a party.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm reading that the plastic models are having a lot of issues. (mainly the 4 and 5 tray ones).

 

[sixstringsteve]

That guy has some awesome recipes.

 

[DAA]

Freeze dried backpacking food is pure utility for me. It's eating to live, not living to eat. Sure, in the mountains, when I'm hungry, it goes down easy enough. Almost seems to taste "good" even, sometimes, when I'm hungry. From there, you just have to hope it makes a reasonable turd and keeps the mail moving, I find the MH stuff in particular not very reliable in that aspect...

But to eat that stuff any other time? Except when I'm counting every ounce and calorie and using it for the pure utlity of it? No way... It always surprises me when I see people eating it car camping. I mean, you can carrry RIB EYE STEAKS car camping. You can make fried chicken. Rolls. Potatoes. Pie iron calzones. Fresh pastry. Cheesecake. Why on earth you'd subject yourself to backpacking stuff when you don't really have to, I don't understand.

I'm sure as heck not gonna sample any at home!

- DAA

 

[Rock Taco]

Anybody have experience dehydrating their own trail foods? Seems like an awesome option, after the upfront investment in the dehydrator.

http://www.backpackingchef.com/food-dehydrator.html

edit to add - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1-QKLVjq_Q

edit to add again - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JUHxrKJ81c

One of the perils of working graveyard shift over the holidays is the risk of having online conversations with yourself on web forums. This is a sign that I am bored and already tired of winter, and should not be taken as an indication of my mental stability or lack thereof.

Dehydrating seems like a lot of work. I think its cool but just not for me right now.

Freeze dried backpacking food is pure utility for me. It's eating to live, not living to eat. Sure, in the mountains, when I'm hungry, it goes down easy enough. Almost seems to taste "good" even, sometimes, when I'm hungry. From there, you just have to hope it makes a reasonable turd and keeps the mail moving, I find the MH stuff in particular not very reliable in that aspect...

But to eat that stuff any other time? Except when I'm counting every ounce and calorie and using it for the pure utlity of it? No way... It always surprises me when I see people eating it car camping. I mean, you can carrry RIB EYE STEAKS car camping. You can make fried chicken. Rolls. Potatoes. Pie iron calzones. Fresh pastry. Cheesecake. Why on earth you'd subject yourself to backpacking stuff when you don't really have to, I don't understand.

I'm sure as heck not gonna sample any at home!

- DAA

I wasn't referring to just freeze dried meals. I was also thinking of some of the recipes people cook themselves while backpacking.

 

[sixstringsteve]

For recipes, check out this website:
http://www.trailcooking.com/

 

[ID Bronco]

I thought I would chime in for a minute on the aforementioned "spud bomb".

When Steve said he would actually eat one of these at home I knew if must be good. So, we had them on the last trip. For one of his merit badges my son had to cook for three other people. (when in the real world would anyone but a Dad have to cook for someone else on the trail?) I digress.................

Anyway, these ended up being everyone's favorite meal! I even had to give mine up for another kid who looked left out of the fun. (I did eat half of my son's, they are very filling)

Thanks for the tip, It was a hit and it's easy prep and cleanup.

Pick for proof................notice smiles?

 

[sixstringsteve]

I love spud bombs. Recently I have been mixing in mountain house chicken and rice in a 1:1 ratio with spud bombs. mmmmm

 

[Unimog]

On my recent weeklong on the Four Pass Loop in Colorado, I decided to try out several different brands of commercial freeze-dried meals. May favorite (and Dave's recommendation) was Mary Janes - especially the shepherd's pie. Mountain House is second and still my favorite in a lot of standard flavors. I was not impressed with the AlpineAir stuff and another brand from the same company (Katadyn). The meals I didn't like indicated they were low sodium. Maybe that should have been my first warning!

 

[sixstringsteve]

You know mountain house is never low sodium.

I've been wanting to try natural high. Anyone have any experience with their stuff?

 

[DAA]

The NH cinnamon apple crisp desert is icky. By far the least favorite desert we've ever tried.

Mary Jane's red pesto pasta is my Son's favorite BP'ing meal. I like it too, but do prefer the shepherds pie myself. I also really like that you can burn the Mary Jane's packaging. When/where allowed, of course.

- DAA

 

[sixstringsteve]

I also really like that you can burn the Mary Jane's packaging. When/where allowed, of course.

That's awesome. I've been re-packaging all my dehydrated food lately, but having a flamable bag make me change my ways.

 

[Unimog]

You know mountain house is never low sodium.

I've been wanting to try natural high. Anyone have any experience with their stuff?

That was the other brand made by the same folks as AlpineAir. I tried, and did not like. If you are on a low-sodium diet, your mileage may vary from mine!