(Part 3) Top products from r/trailmeals

They make freeze dried tofu, but I think it tastes like cardboard sponge.

This shelf stable tetra-pak silken tofu, on the other hand, is great! I use it at home in soups or stir fries. It may be a bit heavy for lightweight backpacking...but so is beer, and I bring that 🙃.

https://www.amazon.com/Mori-Nu-Silken-Tofu-Extra-Ounce/dp/B000LKZ86K

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.

This Chili-Mac recipe is a great one to start out with, it's very tasty and very easy to make. I bring it on all my trips.

I also recommend Linda Frederick Yaffe's book Backpack Gourmet.

Maybe something like these vinyl bags with zipper sliders. Not sure if food grade and probably heavier than ziplock bags, but reusable.

In terms of a container you can store food and cook with, some hikers like pots like this Vargo BOT bottle pot that has a screw on lid. Maybe add hot or cold water to a plastic container with a screw on lid like this one from ziplock and let it soak all day.

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.

Thats the fun part :)

currently I'm looking into getting a dutch oven / skillet combo to reduce the types of pots/pans.. like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LEXR0K/ref=psdc_289818_t1_B01C4MPTWK

H2JO By: GSI outdoors this guy lives on my hydro flask full time. Also does great work with loose leaf tea when I want to switch it up.

https://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-73020-H2JO/product-reviews/B000PGPGQC

Pair that with the camelbak twist lid which is actually spill/backpack proof. It does not leak and you can have hot coffee/tea all morning.

https://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-Chute-Hot-Accessory-Black/dp/B0793CNVDP/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=camelbak+screw+cap&qid=1573356701&sprefix=camelbak+screw+&sr=8-6

I just dump in my grounds or tea into the hydro flask or nalgene add hot water and screw them both back on and I am good to go. Bonus is you have cold brew later in the day if you dont drink it all in the AM.

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.

They'd spoil.

I do know that you you don't need to refrigerate eggs if you put vaseline on them, and these work pretty well for packing in eggs.

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

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.

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.

My Kovea Supalite heats quite evenly, with a titanium Snow Peak pan (thin enough to go from cold to charring in ~3 seconds on the Kovea), windscreen, and just the right amount of gas... pancakes are no problem.

Otherwise, I'd get one of these; https://www.amazon.com/HIC-Diffuser-Reducer-Simmer-8-25-Inches/dp/B000HM9ZSY/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_79_bs_lp_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XXNYV4NN3W0SFGMVEMX5