New Backpacking Meals?

[John Harper]

I got an email about these dehydrated foods, looks like an inexpensive meal for backpacking. Price is really low. I ordered several of each variety to try. Sodium content is a bit high on this one, but the other two bean recipes are only 500mg or less. Why is it so hard to find low sodium backpacking foods?

http://www.campingsurvival.com/cookquik ... -4-oz.html
http://www.campingsurvival.com/cookquik ... -4-oz.html
http://www.campingsurvival.com/cookquik ... -4-oz.html

John

[Wildman]

Although I should worry about such things, I wonder if the investment in a dehydrator for around $60 and making your own low sodium would be an option. There sure are a number of sites that that cater to that and here is one I enjoy: http://www.hungryhammockhanger.com/

Go down to his Bliptv channel for about thirty recipes

[John Harper]

Well, I do have a small smoker and do a lot of fish, and jerhkey turns out great as well. I plan on substituting a lot more jerhkey, nuts, and dried fruits for the processed stuff this year.

I checked out the first video, looks like a great idea, thanks, WM.

I had to figure out a way to respell jerhkey so the filter wouldn't block it.

John

[BrownBear]

...investment in a dehydrator for around $60....

Good solution. Or you could get lucky like I did and find one NIB at a garage sale for $5. Sweet little machine.

[Gary C.]

When I first decided that I wanted to try dehydrating I remembered the craze for dehydrating back in the 70's. Food dehydrators and crazy glass cutters were all the rage at Christmas for a few years. I made a few phone calls and had two dehydrators at my house the following weekend. I later found a newer model with all the bells and whistles on a Face Book site for $20 that someone had received as a gift but never used. I gave my first two away to other backpackers. If you are thinking about getting a dehydrator but not sure you will use it get on the phone to your mother, mother in-law, someone along those lines. You just might be surprised how many people you know that decided fruit roll-ups just weren't worth the effort and are more than happy to pass one along.

[anacrime]

Hawk Vittles makes the best backpacking meals, in my opinion. They are high in calories per serving, low in sodium, and low in cost. Way better than any other commercially available dehydrated meal.

http://hawkvittles.com/

I've also tried making my own, with little success. Could never get my dehydrator dialed and felt like it was just making my food go bad faster.

[flocktothewall]

I've also tried making my own, with little success. Could never get my dehydrator dialed and felt like it was just making my food go bad faster.

Same here, did successfully dehydrate some beans to make burritos with on my last trip. Thats about as far as I have made it on what works.

[87TT]

I've dehydrated all kinds of stuff. Haven't bought any commercial meals in years except maybe bulk freeze dried stuff to make into or add to meals. A fav is my wife's spaghetti. I've even dehydrated ketchup then ground it up in a blender and made powder. If you cook any kind of pasta then dehydrate it, you don't have to cook it, just add boiling water and let it stand. Check out http://www.trailcooking.com

[John Harper]

Well, I cooked up a package of the Instant Chili today. Verdict: Not too bad! Actually, tasted better than I expected.

John

[BrownBear]

We dehydrate a lot of fish and meat, along with veggies and fruits.

Most of our favorite meals require some cooking rather than simply adding hot water. Try slicing beef into thin "*" strips, but leave out the seasoning. Add to your own array of dry veggies and seasoning and simmer. Sure the meat will be in sheets rather than chunks, but to this day some of the best beef stew I've had- at home or under the stars.

With the dried fish (also unseasoned) you can eat it like * (my Alaska blood showing) or use it with dried onions, potatoes, carrots and milk to make incredible "clam chowder," even if it's actually fish chowder.

Another great one is "cous-agna," as my wife calls it. Simmer your dry veggies to soften, add a little tomato paste, top with dried grated parmesan. Remove from heat, pour cous-cous over it and cover for about 5 minutes for the cous-cous to soften. Yeah, the "pasta" may be a little grainy, but close your eyes and if the ingredients are right, you have a credible lasagna.

Our goal in drying is to prepare basic ingredients that we can assemble to make a variety of dishes. Works.

Edit- The controls on the site didn't like the word for dried beef snack strips, but you can guess what I mean. Instead of calling it "tuggy," I'll call it "pully."

[philosofisher]

My wife bought a nice dehydrator and a nice blender about 5 years ago when she was really into raw food.

I lamented both purchases at the time, but I now use those things much more than she does! I guess she was just ahead of the curve...

I haven't dehydrated many meals for backpacking, but now that folks have posted some great links, I'll be sure to try it more often!

[Papasequoia]

Edit- The controls on the site didn't like the word for dried beef snack strips, but you can guess what I mean. Instead of calling it "tuggy," I'll call it "pully."

You can turn that annoying word filter off in your control panel. It filters and changes hundreds of words and variations on their spelling so that delicate ears don't have to see things like the real word for the big thing that holds back the water in a reservoir.

[Gary C.]

The refries would work but those Chili flavored Rice & Refried Beans should make great burritos. Just add a packet of taco sauce and some cheese.

[BrownBear]

...turn that annoying word filter off in your control panel.

Thanks!

Now I can talk about * and mean it!

[flybob]

Well, I cooked up a package of the Instant Chili today. Verdict: Not too bad! Actually, tasted better than I expected.

John

John, how much "WET" serving did it make? Enough for one meal up at 11,000' (need lots of cals up there)?

By the way...all your dishes are BEANS.....You just make sure and pitch your tent down wind of me this coming year at the GTW opener! And don't forget your ANTACID!