Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1993 14:09:18 -0400
From: "E. C. HALE" <ARTHALE@EKU.BITNET>
Subject: BACKPACKING FOODS FROM THE SUPERMARKET
Scouters:
Are you about ready to hit the backpacking trail again? Are you a little short of the green stuff necessary to buy the fancy freeze-dried foods?
WELLLL! THIS POSTING IS FOR YOU!
Seriously, I hope this guide will be of some use. It has served me well over the past years.
Yours in Scouting,
Carroll Hale (SM T-118) ST. MARK RICHMOND, KY
ARTHALE@ACS.EKU.EDU
Most of the foods listed here may be purchased at any well stocked grocery store. In general, the cost differential between these and specialty backpacking foods is substantial. The drawback is that these items are sometimes a bit weightier than freeze-dried specialties. Most of these foods require water in their preparation. However,items like noodles or spaghetti that require large amounts of water have not been included. Any "noodle-type" dishes included here were chosen only if they use very little water. Keep in mind that almost everything in this list needs to be repacked. Heavy-duty Zip-Loc type bags are usually the obvious choice. Exceptions to this last will be noted.
THIS LIST IS ONLY A STARTING-POINT. ADD TO IT!
SUNFLOWER SEED (HULLED), BLANCHED PEANUTS, SHREDDED COCONUT OR CHIPS, BANANA CHIPS, RAISINS, CHOCOLATE CHIPS OR M&M'S
The foregoing foods may be mixed to taste. When making a batch keep in mind that sugars are for quick energy and proteins/fats are for the long haul. Balance the mix in a 50-50 proportion of quick and "long" energy sources. Avoid salty or excessively sweet mixes because they will unnecessarily increase water consumption.
GRANOLA BARS, FRUIT ROLL-UPS, HARD CANDIES, FRUIT SWIRL BARS, TOOTSIE ROLLS, CARAMELS, "HARD" COOKIES LIKE GINGER SNAPS (make sure hard cookies aren't too spicy - they'll cause thirst.)
APPLES AND ORANGES (heavy but provide liquid, vitamin C, fructose and fiber)
DRIED FRUITS LIKE APPLES, FIGS, APRICOTS, PEACHES AND RAISINS ARE BETTER FOR LONG TRIPS.
Dried fruit can be soaked in water for puddings or pies.
INSTANT MASHED POTATOES, STOVETOP TYPE SCALLOPED POTATO MIXES OR
LIPTON'S NOODLES AND SAUCE MIXES (the foregoing starches often need dried milk and
margarine),
RAMEN NOODLES, INSTANT OATMEAL MIX OR INSTANT CREAM OF WHEAT.
(For excursions of several days)
HARD SAUSAGES (LIKE SUMMER SAUSAGE), COUNTRY HAM, JERKY. CANNED MEATS (Work well but the
cans must be packed out.)
(For short excursions -one day- or to be use on the first day)
SMOKED AND POLISH SAUSAGES IN BLISTER PACKS. BLISTER PACKED OR FROZEN "ZIPLOCED"
BEEF OR BOLOGNA MAY BE USED. AVOID POULTRY AND FISH
FREEZE-DRIED COFFEE, CREAMER PACKETS, TEA BAGS, KOOL-AID PREMIXED WITH SUGAR IN ZIP-LOCS, INSTANT COCOA, CUP-A-SOUP.
DRIED MILK, SQUEEZE MARGARINE, BISQUIK, SUGAR, SALT AND PEPPER
DRIED ONIONS, PEANUT BUTTER, GRAPENUTS, INSTANT PUDDING MIX, MEDIUM TO HARD CHEESE (LIKE CHEDDAR), "SQUEEZE" CHEESE (If you must have bread, don't want to fool with Bisquik, and don't mind the weight, take BAGELS. They are heavy but they don't crush easily.) CRACKERS also work and are light but require a rigid container.
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1993 16:42:17 EDT
From: Mark Wilson <mwilson@POLARIS.ORL.MMC.COM>
Subject: Re: BACKPACKING FOODS FROM THE SUPERMARKET
Don't forget the backpackers staple food - rice. It is good for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. It can be combined with fruit, meats, spices, veggies and gravys for nearly endless variety.Instant works best for fuel economy.
We have also had good success using the store brand instant tea mix (with lemon or citrus flavoring). It tastes ok luke warm (canteen temp) or hot.
On short trips or for that special reward, you might consider the room temp milk packages similar to the juice boxes. Also, take along a small amount of vegitable shortening for pancakes and baking.
BTW, doctor your dried milk by mixing in dried coffee "creamer" at a ratio of 2 part milk to 1 part creamer. The result is more like real milk.
You can also use hamburger or hotdog buns (they are sturdier than bread) or english muffins (makes a pretty good peanut butter and jelly sandwich).
The definitive reference for this type of stuff is "The Supermarket Backpacker."
I can't remember the author, but any outdoor store worth a d*** will have it. It has a good shopping list, a bunch of recipes (give "China Rice" a try) and info on how to dry your own food at home. Every troop that does backpacking should have a copy.
Mark Wilson mwilson@orl.mmc.com
Eagle Class of '74 863 Trumbull Street
SM, Troop 565 Deltona, FL, 32725
CC, Pack 565I used to be an antelope ....
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1993 17:15:00 -0500
From: "Gavin D. Watt" <GDW@CCCS.UMN.EDU>
Subject: Re: BACKPACKING FOODS FROM THE SUPERMARKET
Go to the 'Natural Foods' section of the supermarket or go to the old hippies' food COOP if your city has them and you will find:
Some of the above are a bit spicy and exotic and may not appeal to whitebread palates. My motto is "a fussy Scout is a hungry Scout
"Bon Appetite" Gavin, Pack 132 St
From: "Jack W. Weinmann" <bk233@CLEVELAND.FREENET.EDU>
Subject: Re: BACKPACKING FOODS FROM THE SUPERMARKET
There is another delicious meal item that has not been mentioned here and that is something called falafil.
It is a dry mix that you add water to and then fry it. Very popular in the Middle East it was carried by people traveling through the desert because it is kept dry until you prepare it and it is so easy to make.It is very good with pita bread, just put a few of the falafil balls in the pita pocket and add whatever veggies and sauce you wish.
Falafil is a very good source of protein as it is made mainly from chick peas and spices. If you have never had it, try it at home. My son introduced me to it and I love it!
Jack
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1993 08:53:39 EDT
From: Mark Wilson <mwilson@POLARIS.ORL.MMC.COM>
Subject: Re: BACKPACKING FOODS FROM THE SUPERMARKET
I think I should supply the following in the interest of completeness:
Title: Supermarket Backpacker
Author: Harriett Barker
Published: 1977
Cover Price: 12.95
Publisher: Contemporary Books, Inc 180 N Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL, 60601
Mark Wilson mwilson@orl.mmc.com
Eagle Class of '74
863 Trumbull Street
SM, Troop 565 Deltona, FL, 32725
CC, Pack 565
I used to be an antelope
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: damouth@djin (David E. Damouth)
Subject: Re: backpacking food?
Date: Mon, 15 May 1995 08:01:43 GMT
Lentils and rice. Boil the lentils and rice in salted water (I use "Minute Rice" to speed things up a bit. Drain. Add cumin to taste (we like lots).
Variations: add bits of dehydrated or preserved meat - whatever you have available (hard salami left over from lunch, beef jerky, "chipped beef", whatever); add dehydrated veggies (peas are nice)
/Dave David E. Damouth; damouth@wrc.xerox.com
From: berrington@ms.anes.tht.uab.edu (Bill Berrington)
Date: Tue, 16 May 1995 02:56:12 -0600
Couscous is one of the best meals: a nice change from pasta or rice, and yet it cooks in 5-10 minutes. It can usually be found in the Middle East section of the grocery store. I like to add a lipton soup mix or boullion cube plus some dried vegies to it.
Enjoy!
Michelle McAdams
William R. Berrington III
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Berrington@ms.anes.tht.uab.edu
From: UGBU87A@prodigy.com (Matthew Gilhuly)
Subject: Re: backpacking food?
Date: 17 May 1995 02:54:38 GMT
Always carry a bottle of squeeze parkay and dehydrated milk.
Lipton Noodle dinners
Instant Mashed Potatoes with instant soup
Pop Tarts
Gorp w/ M+M's
Chicken Stew w/ bisquick dumplings
From: dan@watson.ibm.com (Walt Daniels)
Date: 22 May 1995 15:43:59 GMT
Also try the soft flour tortillas. They survive packing very well. We fill them with Fantastic Foods dehydrated black bean dip and some grated cheese. The bean dip is available in bulk at some stores, the COOP in Hanover NH for one. They also make a refried bean dip, but the black bean is better IMHO.
Walt Daniels (IBM)<DAN at WATSON> 914 784-6736
(Internet)<dan@watson.ibm.com>
Last edited: February 22, 2004
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