Do you find that most backpacking recipes are boring and boring? Yes, and that is why I came up with some exciting and tasty foods to hit the road that cheer up the palate and take the monotony out of the same bland foods day after day. Here are five easy recipes that make eating while backpacking something to enjoy and no longer just tolerate.
Mini pizzas
These are easy to make using English muffins, a packet of pizza sauce, and cheese. English muffins can be re-wrapped in foil, while pizza sauce can be put in a small plastic container and cheese in a zip-lock bag. When you’re ready for this meal, simply add the pizza sauce and cheese on top of the English muffin and wrap in foil. To prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil, leave it loose on top. These can be cooked on a stovetop or by leaving them in the sun for an hour or so, long enough to melt the cheese. Other ingredients, such as onions, mushrooms, or black olives can be added for a tastier variety of toppings.
Biscuits and gravy
Cookies can be made at home. I keep them in a water bottle with a large opening at the top, as this saves space. Sauce mix is easy to pack, as most come in a powder form that can be put into a Ziploc bag. I find mixes that only need water, but you can also find one that needs milk and bring some powdered milk. When you are ready for this meal, you can add some water and the sauce mixture and pour it over the cookies. It is not necessary to reheat the cookies as they will heat up with the sauce. You can also bring packets of gelatin and use the leftover cookies as a treat with gelatin spread on them.
Noodles With Wild Mushrooms
There are many varieties of mushrooms that are sold in their dried form. These can be purchased at most grocery stores, and an assorted pack of wild products can provide a wonderful variety of flavors. The noodles can be of any type, but I consider the flat varieties to be the most efficient in terms of space and durability. Aside from the noodles and mushrooms, you need a couple of tablespoons of butter, as well as salt and pepper. Dried mushrooms need to soak for a couple of hours before cooking. The liquid used to soak them is reused to cook the noodles. After the noodles are cooked, they need to be drained for the most part, leaving a small amount of liquid. Add the mushrooms, butter, salt, and pepper. Another great addition is some Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
Backpacker recipes that don’t need to cook
Pockets of pita with hummus
This is a fast, filling and versatile meal. Pita pockets can be found in most grocery stores and are great for packing as they are flat and compact. Hummus is great because it provides a lot of protein and flavor, and it can be purchased as a powder where water is added to reconstitute it. Hummus can be spread inside the pita pocket and cucumbers and olives can be added to enhance the flavors.
Tuna in Tortillas
This is a great meal that is easy to prepare. Tuna can be bought in a bag. The sweet seasoning should be packed in a leak-proof plastic container and mixed with the tuna during the preparation of this meal. The tuna and seasoning mixture is heated and served on a small tortilla. You can put a slice of cheddar cheese on top of the tuna and it will melt a little from the heat. The tortilla can then be folded in half or rolled up. This tastes surprisingly good and very filling.
While there are many more tasty recipe ideas for backpacking, this is a taste of how simple and delicious cooking for the backcountry can be. Enjoy!
