Same as Riverwarrior, I use as lot of instant spud. I either use it as designed or as a thickening agent.
I also use a lot of couscous.
Last time I was out actually I ran out of proper food just 'cos I wanted to stay on a bit longer and broke into my emergency provisions and it made a huge bowlful I could not clear. Three staples I carry in the emergency gear are instant spud, couscous, and dried packet stuffing mix. They pack extremely small and give off a huge volume:
I wound together the dry stuffing and the couscous in a bowl and covered with hot water. While I was waiting for that to do its thing I played some nettles over the flame of my burner. [only takes a few seconds and beats the hell of boiling them]. I chopped those up and chucked them in. And then threw in a can of tuna in oil. A far cry from what one would have at home but plenty good enough, and lots of it. Minimal everything; weight, bulk, time, fuel, effort. If I had used something other than a can of tuna the size of the packed ingredients could have been really tiny, uber-light, and fed two.
I don't usually cook like that when I'm out for only a couple of days. I prefer to do things properly, but it works for me after a few days when load and resupply is important. Couscous can make some wonderful stuff though if you plan for it, so it deserves more than just a slot in the emergency rations and making rough stuff. Check out some recipes.
