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Backcountry Gourmet!

Original Post
Cam Mather · · Canada · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 5

So I'm going into the Bugaboos for a week and I'm not sure what to bring for food. I'm gonna bring the usual oatmeal for breakfast, gorp, dried fruit and cliff bars, but I'm kinda stuck on dinners. I was thinking about grabbing a couple of those dehydrated dinners, I've never tried them but they look good. Anyone have any tips on what to eat on long trips?

Ralph Kolva · · Pine, CO · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 210

One of my favorite meals for the back country is dried tortellini with a pesto dressing. You can get everything at most grocery stores, tortellini, pesto packet, a little olive oil. It's a little bulkier than some freeze dried meals but not much heavier and you don't get that nasty freeze dried taste.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Yeah they are tasty....especially when your hungry they become twice as good. Plus they cook in under 10 minutes, are light and ziplock up when your done. All you have to do is clean your spoon.

slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

another good thing, if you like indian food, is tasty bite. really easy to make, just boil a instant-brown-rice-in-a-bag, and the bag of tasty bite. really easy to clean up too, as your cooking pot stays clean. just have to wipe out your eating bowl. fairly cheap too.

claytown · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 1,205

One easy option is to grab a box of couscous with flavor packet (far east is one brand), a veggie of choice (or not) and a can of chicken.

Start with water, chicken juice (drained from can) and veggies, simmer with flavor packet, add coucous, remove from flame, let absorb. Total cooking time maybe 5-8 minutes.

Not amazing but pretty good, plenty of protein (use the bigger can of chicken) and you'll be eating while everyone else is waiting for their water to boil. I also add oilive oil.

Andy Librande · · Denver, CO · Joined Nov 2005 · Points: 1,880

Yeah I hate freeze dried mainly because it is insanely expensive for what you get.

Here are some ideas: wildbackpacker.com/food/rec…

Also I have found in the Supermarkets is Chicken breasts that now come in packets (in the same section as canned chicken/tuna) and they are awesome for adding to a ramen/couscous type dish and much better then using the cans (less weight, minimal left-over trash).

It is pretty easy to eat good on long trips. I have used a backpackers oven quite a bit and have been able to cook fresh pizza and have baked cakes before on longer trips. Just think of things you want to eat and think how you can make it work in a backpacking setting.

Larry S · · Easton, PA · Joined May 2010 · Points: 872

I highly recommend the starkist Tuna Creations. They're about $1.25-$2 each. I eat'm right out of the packet. They're light, easy to pack, and tasty. Just keep a ziplock bag around to contain the waste or your pack will stink. The "Sweet and Spicy" and "Lemon Pepper" ones are my favorites. The cous-cous and pre-cooked chicken packets is a good idea too.

Edit - Link - starkist.com/template.asp?s…

Josh Olson · · Durango, CO · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 255

Backpacker's Pantry is delicious, convenient, and full of the good stuff you need. all that for around 4$/person? perfect.

slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

yeah, add a can of chicken to the tasty bite (or pasta and pesto, or other stuff). canned chicken is pretty handy.

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

tastybite is really yummy, but weight... it has liquid in the bag, and weighs a ton. the couscous boxes with season packs are really good. put it in a ziplock bag, and use a sharpie to mark what it is, and how much water to put in. also with the couscous, you boil water, put it in, and turn the stove off! fuel weighs a ton also...
for protein put a foil pack of tuna, or chicken in the couscous.
some other options are a stick of salami, parm cheese.
bagels, and premade(at home) hard boiled eggs. these things will keep for about a week with no real refridgreation. it is pretty cool up there in the shade anyway. it is nice to mix up the breakfast so as not to eat oatmeal every f'n day of the trip. . .
oh yeah, one other thing... if you like coffee get the starbucks instant single serving packs. it makes 1 8oz cup of coffee, then add some powdered milk. yum!

hope this helps out.
cor

J Wolfski · · slc, ut · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 5

I always like bringing a packet of instant potatoes. Easy to make when you are tired and dont want to waste time cooking. To spice it up I also add some instant gravy to the mix, maybe add some jerky or dried vegis too. I think I've seen it in a backpacking magazine and they called it instant shepherds pie.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
JLP wrote: Brawndo - it's got electrolytes!.
Brawndo has what plants crave...
Cam Mather · · Canada · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 5

Sweet! thanks for all the suggestions, I definitely think I'm gonna go with something better then dehydrated crap

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

MRE's,,, any bean and chili ones for sure. Everything tastes like gourmet food after a hard day of climbing!

J.B. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 150
Scott McMahon wrote: Brawndo has what plants crave...
What do plants crave?
RyanO · · sunshine · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 145

quinoa is a good one. high in protein and cooks pretty quick. if you cook some quinoa, and then add olive oil and lime/lemon juice, you've got a basic taboulli, throw in some fresh veggies to make it all fancy like. bring along some tortillas and hot sauce for an all out feast.

don't forget a six pack, a jug of orange juice, or the flask of whisky. or if you're more sophisticated, watermelon vodka and cranberry juice, make yourself some fruity cocktails, you earned it.

fruity drinks

slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

tasty bite weighs a ton? ant man can carry a few cans of gordon's, but no tasty bite? thaz crazy talk.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
JJ Brunner wrote: What do plants crave?
brawndo
Eric Robertson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 0

So, ah, where the hell did you find Brawndo? I need BRAWNDO.

Frosty Weller · · Colorado · Joined Mar 2004 · Points: 1,145

Backpacker's Pantry fully rocks. I agree with Josh Olson above... great grub. Super easy, delicious and nutritious. For most entrees boil water and chow.

Every year we use Backpacker's Pantry exclusively on 2 week long sea kayaking trips in Alaska... when it comes to freeze dried food it is the best of the best. FULLY worth the cost in my opinion.

They even have organic and are located in Boulder.

High in protein, vitamins, and carbohydrates, Backpacker's Pantry freeze-dried meals are designed to fuel the most extreme adventures, and they require only minimal preparation to enjoy. Many can be cooked right in the unique packaging just by adding boiling water.

backpackerspantry.com/about…

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

well slim... i may be called the ant man b/c i can carry loads over my current weight, but the energy absorbed from a can of gordon's beer is far superior to the goods in a bag of tastybite. it also helps dull the pain! so the choice is simple, energy and pain management all in one package. now if tastybite was 8.5% alcohol, i may just have to carry that instead. ;)

Rewards after topping out.
(actually this is all you really need in the backcountry.)

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Mountaineering
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