I love to cook but not when I’m backpacking. Instead I like to cook at home and make One-bag Backpacking Dinners. Some people like to cook a regular dish and portion into the dehydrator. I think it makes an appealing mess. I prefer to let the flavors come out when you first add the hot water in camp, so I put together all the ingredients at home.
Here’s two easy recipes you can pre-bag at home. When you’re ready to eat in camp, just pour in the boiling water and let sit for a spell. Clean-up couldn’t be easier-just close the Zip-top and pack out. Use sturdy Freezer type Zip-top bags, not the flimsy sandwich ones. They’re a little more expensive but they’re reusable.
Here’s two of my One-bag Backpacking Dinners:
Salmon Couscous One-bag Backpacking Dinner
1/8 c sun dried tomatoes
1/4 c dried salmon
1/4 c dried mixed Vegetables
1/4 c couscous
1/2 t coriander seeds, crushed
1/8 t onion powder
1/8 t garlic powder
Cover w/ boiling water in zip-top bag. Rest in insulator for 10-15 minutes.
Tomato Beef with Rice One-bag Backpacking Dinner
1/2 cup instant white rice
1/4 cup dried hamburger
1/8 cup sun-dried tomatoes, pulsed in the food processor
1/2 oz dried scallions or chives
1 T onion flakes
1/2 tsp chicken bouillon
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp oregano
l/8 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp turmeric
Combine all ingredients in zip-top bag.
In camp: Add water to cover by about 1/2” in zip-top. Let rest for 10 minutes. Stir in some olive oil or butter.
