(Part 2) Top products from r/trailmeals

Umteenthing Propaine. In addition, there are "prepare ahead" recipes that make dinner prep something easy and on a road trip snacks are amazing.

In addition, if you're road tripping when it gets close to supper go get yourselves a rotisserie chicken with some sides, and have yourselves a picnic. Still cheaper than most places for dinner.

Also, breakfast oatmeal is banging when you put all the dry ingredients in a thermos, add boiling water, and seal it up overnight.

Resources:

There's a subreddit for campground recipes and another one for trail meals

There's also a really good book that I personally recommend. It is for people who can't just throw money around for camping food so there are recipes and directions on places to buy components. Link here

Also, I don't buy books until I know know I will like and use them.

Libraries are awesome. Cookbooks are 641.5, but you'll specifically want Camp Cooking which is 641.578

One thing I like to do is get shelf stable chicken chunks (foil for backpacking, can for car camping) OR cook this the first night of camping with real chicken breast. It makes a pretty good chicken in peanut sauce, and if you get powdered coconut milk to add to what's already there it becomes a rich delicious meal. I use 1 pouch/person because we were burning calories.

If you have questions PM me, I have done a fuckload of camping and feeding people in the field.

Don’t have any recipes but TVP will probably be a great addition because you only have to barely bring water to a boil and stir. Add some taco seasoning and your good to go.
Also this book will probably be of great use.
https://www.amazon.com/Lipsmackin-Vegetarian-Backpackin-Lightweight-Trail-Tested/dp/0762785020/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=lip+smacking+vegetarian+backpacking&qid=1565379203&s=gateway&sprefix=lips+smacking+vege&sr=8-1&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

if you go for this style for car camping, (and you absolutely should, as they're a joy to cook on as long as weight doesn't matter), then get the propane adapter.

Not only does it make cooking on the stove a joy, the cost is lower too. Coleman fuel costs a mint, and you need to fill and pump the tank. You could buy the Unleaded gas version, but you would still need to pump.

There's got to be a million good used stoves like this out there, they're built like tanks. Mine's like 50 years old and the only maintenance I do is oil the leather gasket on the piston pump once a year, just to keep the Coleman white gas option open to me.

Get on Amazon and buy some of these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0001MS3DI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1462935978&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=half+sheet+pan+and+rack&dpPl=1&dpID=41PBvlflBmL&ref=plSrch

And an equal number of these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000G0KJG4/ref=pd_aw_fbt_79_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=18X6H5MZZ2GQTT8RGT0D

Put the one in the other and put whatever you're drying on the rack and put one on each rack in your oven. Set the oven to the lowest temp possible. Prop the door open with a wooden (not plastic) spoon and wait.

Ovens are usually a little hot for fruits to do well so you can go on for an hour, off for an hour, etc... Until it gets dry to keep from cooking as you dehydrate. Ovens work well for meats and jerkys as I feel most home model dehydrators don't get hot enough to dehydrate meat.

Also get one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019DT4EBE/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?qid=1462936323&sr=8-17&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mandoline+slicer

Makes uniform slices and you can julienne things like carrots and potatoes.


These really help for doing fruit as well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00629K4YK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1462936445&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=silpat&dpPl=1&dpID=41MTUhWaO%2BL&ref=plSrch

If you do something that's really sticky like pineapple or mango, put the slices on this in the sheet pan. You'll have to turn your pieces a few times but they'll make cleanup so much easier.

If you're gonna buy a dehydrator. Get this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001K246KW/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1462936599&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=lem+dehydrator+10+tray&dpPl=1&dpID=51XOjbSNSdL&ref=plSrch

Has 10 trays, easy to clean, all stainless, and has a thermostat. It's pricey, but if you make all your meals for one or two trips instead of buying freeze dried, it will pay for itself.

I make all my meals for big trips for 4-6 people for 6+ days. Mine paid for itself the first trip.

I have a wired "fish holder" that work amazingly well. Its just 2 wire grates that close together, works well for fish,sausages, and burgers. Corns a little too thick for it but its pretty light, cleans up well enough, and is easily clipped onto the outside of my bag. I found mine at a local outdoors shop but i found the same style of thing on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.ca/Outset-QC70-Basket-Rosewood-Handle/dp/B000EUR7MA/ref=asc_df_B000EUR7MA/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292963978052&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2659801035091698520&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001586&hvtargid=pla-523058930125&psc=1

I am a huge fan of the following and we cook it at least once per camping trip. Brazilian Black Bean Soup I make it meat free and it is still great. However this requires at least a pot.

I'm a little confused if you are backpacking or not. If weight is not a concern, I would suggest a 4-6 qt dutch oven with feet. Amazon Example It's going to open up a world of possibilities.

Canned tuna is basically pure protein, knorr food packs are a cheap solution, i'd just add more dehydrated veggies into the mix. Chunky peanut butter is just liquid fuel. Don't forget that corn chips are excellent fire starters, I recommend these. If you dehydrated your own food, brought oats, canned food. I think you could achieve well under $10 a day.

I do not. I use The Dehydrator Bible as the base for my recipes and sub ingredients to fit my own tastes. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions, between that book and a lot of trial and error I've learned a good bit about the process.

I've made Khao Soi (northern thai coconut curry soup) with Ramen noodles. It was one of the best trail meals I've made

you'll need:

1 package of ramen noodles, throw away the seasoning

1 package of Khao soi seasoning https://www.amazon.com/Lobo-Brand-Thai-Kao-Seasoning/dp/B000ESIDBQ

1 package of coconut milk/cream powder https://www.amazon.com/Coconut-Cream-Powder-Chao-Thai/dp/B0095VQH5M/

1 package of chicken https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Breast-Protein-Snacks-Pouches/dp/B0025ULWVE/

freeze dried shallots and cilanto (Litehouse brand)

chili flakes

crushed peanuts

dehydrated lime juice (optional) https://www.amazon.com/True-Citrus-Lime-Shaker-2pk/dp/B01F2PKK8E/

​

To make:

Crumble a few noodles and reserve, cook the rest in boiling water, pour off a bit of the water and add the chicken, when warm, mix in the Khoi soi seasoning and coconut milk/cream powder, stir to combine. Add freeze dried shallots and cilanto and let them rehydrate, top with crumbled noodle bits, chili flakes to taste and some crushed peanuts, add a touch of dehydrated lime juice. Enjoy.

You should check out Another Fork in the Trail. It has a ton of great ideas. Also, trailcooking.com has a entire vegetarian section.

We have this book about dehydrating food and it is amazing! http://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Gourmet-Dehydrate-Healthy-Eating/dp/0811726347/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Moosewood Restaurant Cooks for a Crowd is a good book for recipes that feed lots of people. This + a costco or sam's club will take you a long way. You may be able to borrow a copy from your local library.

http://www.amazon.com/Moosewood-Restaurant-Cooks-Crowd-Vegetarian/dp/0517228025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348032286&sr=8-1&keywords=moosewood+restaurant+cooks+for+a+crowd


A general suggestion would be a stew + starch + salad. The cheapest starches at this point are probably rice and potatoes. Vegetarian stews will be generally cheaper to make.

These things are called Retort pouches, and they are amazing. One of my favorites for hiking trips is Madras Lentils.

I'm a vegetarian and all my backpacking meals are from this book, I'd highly recommend it: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0762725311/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_FYoqtb0SEED5R

The McCormick mix ingredients state: Basil, Salt, Parmesan Cheese (Cultured Part-Skim Cow's Milk, Salt, Enzymes), and Garlic

It's available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/McCormick-Pasta-Sauce-Blend-Pesto-5-Ounce/dp/B0009PCOZ0?th=1

There is also a version from Knorr: https://www.amazon.com/KNORR-MIX-PASTA-PESTO-Pack/dp/B007OCDOPU/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_325_t_1/134-6801648-0960622?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9WQGB9FRZFSMXKP9N24A

And from Simply Organic: https://www.vitacost.com/simply-organic-seasoning-mix-sweet-basil-pesto?csrc=GPF-089836185426&CSRC=GPF-PA-Google_PLA_PRO_Food+%26+Beverages-&network=g&keywordname=&device=c&adid=92700046737973739&matchtype=&gclick=EAIaIQobChMIne-q2oKm5AIVjuNkCh3wNA2jEAQYBCABEgLxk_D_BwE&ds_agid=58700005284935854&targetid=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIne-q2oKm5AIVjuNkCh3wNA2jEAQYBCABEgLxk_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I agree with Dutch Oven. And don't forget that awesome "hooky thingy"! for removing the lid and fetching the oven from the coals.

We pack out many different condiments in various sizes of these...

I ended up going with the stove I posted, as it had a lightning deal where another $5 was even taken off. Additionally, I also bought griddle

Can’t find it at all?

https://www.amazon.com/Buds-Cricket-Power-Trail-Crickets/dp/B07TMGTJ7L

https://nutriteck.ca/pcart/index.php?id_product=81&controller=product&id_lang=1

Unfortunately not any I know of.

If you're looking for cheap and abundant fuel, I like the Vargo hexagon wood stove that I use on occasion for it's weightless and limitless free fuel. The stainless steel version is reasonably priced and the weight doesn't really matter on a bike.

If cheapness is paramount, make an alcohol burner (see http://zenstoves.net/ - I prefer something of the "super cat" style), and carry a gallon of denatured alcohol for $8 from the hardware store. A gallon of fuel takes up a lot of space in bike luggage, so maybe go for the smaller 1 qt cans and buy a new one at hardware stores along the way.

As for using petrol, it's stinky and messy. Unless you can rig some kind of stove to heat off your exhaust, I'd avoid it. And if your bike's tank is like mine, the baffles might make it difficult to siphon unless you've got a nearly full tank. But, if you insist, there are cheap knockoffs of the MSR products here and a knockoff coleman but for the same prices as the real thing.