freeze dried food alternatives ??

[cz375hh]

Some suggestions on alternatives to the freeze dried foods.
We did our first hard core everything on your back archery elk hunt last year and by the end of the week we were fantasizing about MacDonald hamburgers. Getting the needed minimum 3,500 calories with the needed protein is tough and the sight of another freeze dried menu with rice as it's base toward the end of the week made my brain revolt and made me wish for something to sink my teeth into-- add this to the fact that these platters run 4-8 dollars..Some suggestions for some variety and better choices in the menu department would be appreciated....Steve

 

[tenkara]

I'd love an answer to this as well. I used to buy bulk from this place in North Carolina but they went out of business a few years ago. I can't even remember their name now. Those guys had everything. You could even get freeze dried shortening and dehydrated soy sauce for fancy cooking without extra weight.

 

[PayetteRucker]

screw freeze dried. Here's a few tips.
freeze hot dogs or brats or other precooked meat, and wrap in tin foil. They will keep for a week or so, and all you have to do to cook them is throw the wrapped tin foil in the fire or heat over a Bunsen stove for a few minutes. Personal favorite is canned stuff-tuna (tuna straight from the can with a little pepper is not bad at all) ziplock packages of white chunky chicken, campbells soup, baked beans, manwich, etc. and granola bars for quick snacks on the move or lunch. You can eat any of that stuff cold as well as it is all pre-cooked, its just better after being heated by a fire. Nothing like eating chicken and dumplings in the field after spending all day stalking elk.

 

[cz375hh]

I'd love an answer to this as well. I used to buy bulk from this place in North Carolina but they went out of business a few years ago. I can't even remember their name now. Those guys had everything. You could even get freeze dried shortening and dehydrated soy sauce for fancy cooking without extra weight.

I am getting hungry already hopefully some help will on the way shortly---Steve

 

[PayetteRucker]

and if you don't want to drag a can opener, most cans nowadays come with pop tabs. Otherwise a knife or p38 will get one open in a hurry.

 

[Fonly]

I never really do much for munching. Most of the time Im packed out with IMP's and I dont really care what I get, just as long as its edible. One thing I like to do though is bring some spices sometimes, a little bag of trailmix, apples, oranges, granola bars things like that.

But, when Im out on the odd time Im out for lunch, I like rice, with cajun spices, come curry powder and a left over prok chop cut up in it, maybe a bit of soya sauce too.

 

[ivan51]

what about spam in the foil instead of the can to cut back on weight?

 

[jca21]

i take rice and spam and forrage for whatever else i can to throw in there. except in winter, then i end up buying those 4-8 dollar freeze dried meals. i also pack in bannock mix and salami

 

[Fonly]

i also pack in bannock mix and salami

How do you like your bannock?

We had some Natives at the last Ranger Skill's, and they made bannock, and it was great.

Better than the bread in the IMP's..:barf:

 

[jca21]

i usually make pigs in a blanket with my bannock. put a sausage or salami through a stick and then wrap it in bannock. heat over a fire and you're good to go.

i pack a few of those fast food ketchup and mustard packages with me for some added luxury

 

[LMT66]

and if you don't want to drag a can opener, most cans nowadays come with pop tabs. Otherwise a knife or p38 will get one open in a hurry.

Most SAK's have a can opener and they work great :thumbup:

 

[Munky88]

bannock is great. You can do so many things with it based on what you find in the woods. even pizza! Carried in its dry form its practically as portable as freeze dried doof

 

[jca21]

bannock is great. You can do so many things with it based on what you find in the woods. even pizza! Carried in its dry form its practically as portable as freeze dried doof

that sounds like an excellent experiement to try. making pizza from bannock in the woods.

 

[Bushman5]

dried Soy protein is great, it weighs nothing and when rehydrated swells up absorbing a LOT of water. add a Bullion cube (for essential salts and flavor, some dehydrated veggies and noodles and your good to go.

the soy protein is extremely high in protien for its size.

 

[sleevefullofaces]

The foil packed tuna with a baggie of garlic salt and gas station mayo packs mixed and spread on pita is good.
PB&J burrito with double tortilla heated on the fire is a great cold weather lunch.
Ramen is light and pretty decent for something different.
Lately the gf has been buying these foil packed heat and eat Indian meals at Target that are incredible. They have good naan there also.
Instant oatmeal or cream of wheat for breakfast.
I also always take a lot of Clif bars, gorp, kippered snacks and beef jerky.

 

[spyder10]

One of my favorite backpacking dishes in ravioli and chicken in an oil and garlic sauce.

For it I use these packets of instant ravioli

And then these packages of grilled chicken in foil packs

Then you can bring a bit of powdered garlic or oil.

Basically I have never used backpacking specific food since it is expensive, tastes like crap, and I can get food that works just as well from my grocery store.

I have also seen packages of meat strapped to the outside of a pack during winter, probably not a good idea in bear country though.

 

[stingray4540]

Oatmeal for breakfast, Velveta shells and cheese. You can also dehydrate just about anything yourself. Make a menu of whatever you want, then dehydrate it. Check the backpacking forums for some recipes.

All the other stuff sounds great, but with the exception of a few they are all heavy. When you are carrying everything on your back, the last thing I want is a 5lb. can of baked beans. It would be quite welcome in my stomach, but my back would make an adamant protest.

When I go car camping, I eat like a king, and take every luxury item except the kitchen sink, but when I'm backpacking, I just look at it as a different goal. It's not all about the good food, and sitting around relaxing, it's about getting to see places I never would have, and discovering new areas that aren't choked with people, eating is just a necessity that makes my pack heavier...

 

[SouthernCross]

Here's a few suggestions from someone who likes his camp food

Dried Salami, block Cheese, some tortillas and you've got a great folded pizza :thumbup:

Capsicum in a zip lock bag last a fair while. Add some fresh garlic and dried salami and youv'e got a very nice stirfry.

You can also keep sausages for a couple of days by smoking some of them when you first get to camp

I like onion and baby carrot too

Hope this helps give some ideas.


Kind regards
Mick

 

[SIXFOOTER]

Fresh eggs will last a week or more when packed in those Armored carry packs, you can get Tuna and Chicken in foil packs which takes up a lot less room and weight than in the can. I usually have some smoked meat, thin round steak sealed with a vacuume sealer. a few spices in small zip locks. There are several "Instant" side dishes available, just add milk powder, water and a bit of oil and simmer for 5 minutes. A week is easy and never see a freeze dried anything

 

[rwiggins]

Hey, Tenkara. It wouldn't happen to have been "Just In Case" in Franklin would it?

I'd love an answer to this as well. I used to buy bulk from this place in North Carolina but they went out of business a few years ago. I can't even remember their name now. Those guys had everything. You could even get freeze dried shortening and dehydrated soy sauce for fancy cooking without extra weight.