Backcountry Gourmet? Any must-have Recipes for the trail?

[Homer67]

I know there is a thread for Bender recipes, but those seem to be tailored more for kitchen prep than prep on the trail.  I am not a big fan of dehydrated meals, although we will have some.  For our dinner meals we have canned ham with pineapple, 'veggie chilimac' (mac and cheese with a can of ranch-style thrown in and topped with diced tomato, one of my faves), fideo with chicken, fried-up spam, as well as a couple of dehydrated whatnots...anyone have a nice recipe that could save us from this culinary hell?

We will have an Esbit stove, as well as our porta-chef (for the easier parts of the trip), so as long as it doesn't have to be baked, we could probably pull it off.

So put up that favorite trail recipe!

[01ACRViper]

instant mashed potatoes, powdered cheese from a box of kraft mac and cheese, and some real bacon bits 

[chisos muse]

There are quite a few creative recipes here:  http://www.backpacker.com/

[dkerr24]

instant mashed potatoes, powdered cheese from a box of kraft mac and cheese, and some real bacon bits 

That recipe actually sounds pretty good!

Darin

[01ACRViper]

instant mashed potatoes, powdered cheese from a box of kraft mac and cheese, and some real bacon bits 

That recipe actually sounds pretty good!

Darin

all you have to do is heat water, it's fast and cheap

[Al]

Dry Veggie Burger Mix.  A bit more complex and you have to have oil, but would be excellent with Viper's taters if you are hiking with a friend or two.  Available at Whole Paycheck (Foods).

Al

[JRD]

When I'm on the trail I'm on vacation; damned if I'm going to eat like crap on vacation.  Also, in the Bend going with dehydrated food doesn't help you much since you likely have to haul in the water to hydrate it.

Here are my two favorite meal options:

Prep and freeze fajita meat in advance, put it in the pack frozen at the trailhead and it is safely thawed by the time you reach camp.  Cook in a small non-stick skillet and serve on tortillas.

For breakfast - same skillet and tortillas, with shelf-stable bacon and fresh eggs (which don't need to be refrigerated).

There is more clean-up than boiling water, but well worth having a great meal under the stars with a nip of whiskey.

[SA Bill]

  Available at Whole Paycheck (Foods).

Al

 
   Bill

[Al]

  Available at Whole Paycheck (Foods).

Al

 
   Bill

Bill, Ha!  Although probably not your point, if you're going to all the good time and trouble to haul yourself and stuff out there, then what's an extra couple of bucks!?  I'm with JRD on this and it's Mmm good!

Al

PS  To the side, extra weight isn't near as painful when you aren't climbing a mountain.  A distinct advantage of hiking the desert: you can bring more stuff especially when you set up a base camp and do day hikes from there!
Al

[SA Bill]

  Available at Whole Paycheck (Foods).

Al

 
   Bill

Bill, Ha!  Although probably not your point, if you're going to all the good time and trouble to haul yourself and stuff out there, then what's an extra couple of bucks!?  I'm with JRD on this and it's Mmm good!

Al

PS  To the side, extra weight isn't near as painful when you aren't climbing a mountain.  A distinct advantage of hiking the desert: you can bring more stuff especially when you set up a base camp and do day hikes from there!
Al

I hear you Al! I had just never heard Whole Foods referred to as Whole Paycheck. It's a pretty good description from what I've seen.

I agree about the weight not being as bad when you're not gaining altitude. That's why I'm doing the Mule Ears hike this year and not Emory. I'm debating doing two nights but will probably just do one if the weahter is nice so I can maximize telescope time during the nights.
   Bill

[Al]

Bill, I wish I could claim authorship:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/food/2008/08/08/2008-08-08_whole_foods_tries_to_shake_whole_paychec-1.html

Al

[chisos muse]

Sorry for the minor thread tangent but I can't resist a chance to express how much I LOATHE that store! Why? Because it's a hoax (they sell a lot of overpriced, crap food there) and the attitudes of the regular clientele and employees SUCK. I've given this place many chances over the years, as recent as last Sunday, and I'm always disappointed. 

I can find great prices on healthy foods at my local H-E-BUTT. 

[Al]

Sorry for the minor thread tangent but I can't resist a chance to express how much I LOATHE that store! Why? Because it's a hoax (they sell a lot of overpriced, crap food there) and the attitudes of the regular clientele and employees SUCK. I've given this place many chances over the years, as recent as last Sunday, and I'm always disappointed. 

I can find great prices on healthy foods at my local H-E-BUTT. 

Me too, BUTT there are certain items that require periodic trips to WF or Central Market.

Al

[Frau]

for me, most trail meals begin with "Couscous", just add boiling water for two minutes. The "gourmet" touch comes from I add to the baggie, which I prepare at home. Sometimes it is chopped dried tomatoes w/ground New Mexico Chili Powder; or cheese w/whatever; or any dry packaged seasonings. The point is it's good nutrition, filling, tasty, simple and quick. I might make five different dinners with Coucous, all different recipes. And,
Couscous can be for breakfast too; again w/cheese, dried fruit, etc. Check it out, it works!
QS

I do the same with Bulgur Wheat, which i prep at home and pack into pouches! Also good with Sardines!

[badknees]

Sorry for the minor thread tangent but I can't resist a chance to express how much I LOATHE that store! Why? Because it's a hoax (they sell a lot of overpriced, crap food there) and the attitudes of the regular clientele and employees SUCK. I've given this place many chances over the years, as recent as last Sunday, and I'm always disappointed. 

I can find great prices on healthy foods at my local H-E-BUTT. 

Me too, BUTT there are certain items that require periodic trips to WF or Central Market.

Al

Remember Central Market is HE-BUTT, but just expensive. Great bakery though. Their pepper-jack bread is killer!