How to Make a Great Backpacking Meal

Although anything tastes good after you have hiked for several miles into the wilderness, just imagine how much more you will savor a well-planned and prepared meal. Since everyone has their own preferences when it comes to food, I will provide some general suggestions and parameters to make your outdoor dining experience memorable while keeping your packs lights.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plenty of water (either bottled or filtered from a reliable, running water source)
• 1 Box of a Dry Entrée (specific suggestions below)
• 1 Package of Rice Noodles
• 1 Screw-Top Jar/Bottle of Olive Oil (size depends on amount of meals, but about a half cup of oil could sustain you for up to a week if you use it sparingly)
• 1 Backpacking Camping Stove (or hot, sustained flame)
• Various Dry Spice Packets (completed by adding water)
• 1 cup of “Just Add Water” Pancake Mix (add cup for each day)
• 1 Medium Sized Mess Pot (lightweight)
• 1 Medium Sized Mess Pan (lightweight)
• 1 Mixing Bowl (good to keep one separate so you can leave this dirty while you eat)
• 1 Eating Bowl (per person)
• 1 Set of Basic Utensils

1. Because cooking fuel is usually very precious and is needed to cover breakfast and dinner, the best recipes are those that minimize cooking time while maximizing nutritional value and taste.
2. When you unpack everything and set up the stove, immediately begin boiling some water. This is the most time consuming part.
3. Prepare ingredients for the entrée. If you are feeling ambitious, and you are only going for a couple days, consider bringing along harder, lightweight, and non-juicy vegetables to add to your pasta or grains: peppers, squashes, mushrooms or spinach.
4. After soaking the entrée, cover the pot, put some oil in the pan, and cook whatever you have available on the pan surface.
5. Let the food cool off before you eat it. Make sure you drink plenty of water before, during and after the meal. This is a primary time to replace fluids.

Tips & Warnings

• For dry entrées, use something that just absorbs hot water and doesn’t require sustained immersion in boiling water. This will extend your cooking time.
• Bring along some fruit, nuts, and granola-like mixes to supplement main meals and provide food when on the trails. Remember, maximize carbohydrates and proteins.
• My favorite sauces are both salty and sweet, such as Pad Thai mixtures. You can also cut up some nuts to spice up your noodles.