help me w/ my 30th anniversary backcountry meal selection

It's your anniversary! There's not going to be time to eat!

"If this 'Mids a-rocking, don't come a-knockin"

Congrats Mike!

I have a single serving of the Packit Gourmet "Austintacious Tortilla Soup" that I won't get to use this fall. It calls for 12 ounces of boiling water and is perfect for two people to share to supplement lunch. It's one of the best soups I've ever had – not just on the trail.

I've always enjoyed your posts so as an anniversary gift I'd love to ship it to you for your trip. Just PM me your address and I'll try to get it in the mail to you today or tomorrow.

Sounds like you are willing to do some cooking not just FBC so how about Trader Joe's quick steel cut oats with real maple syrup added for sweetness. Or the freeze dried eggs from Walmart with cheddar cheese, onions, and hot sauce in tortillas for a breakfast burrito?

Steven- is it possible we are related? :)

Kevin- very generous- thank you, I'll shoot you a pm

Tom- those sound good, but no Trader's Joe around here- anyone know if the "Better Oats" are any good?

Congrats!! We just celebrated our 19th and it still doesn't feel like I've been married that long.

Do you have a food dehydrator?

I have an instant Mocha Mousse recipe if you'd like that.

Laurie- thank you- the years do go by quick :) I don't have a dehydrator, but probably should- huh?

I was thinking maybe season the steaks w/ cajun seasoning and then maybe a red beans and rice side- any instant or recipes on a BIB for that that? still open to other side suggestions as well :)

tia

This is non food related but I might suggest 2 synmat UL with coupling kit

Mark- the coupling kit is a good idea :)

Mike

A figure 8 of light cord is all you need

Congrats on the 30 years, Mike. I think she likes you.

Menu side dishes…Mary Jane's Farm makes a pretty good FD mac/alfredo, if you like that sort of pasta. The single person package is really 1-1/2 servings, which might be perfect as a side dish for 2.

Red beans and rice: MH makes a FD white rice, and Harmony House sells dehydrated red beans. I buy these in bulk, then repackage them into 1-cup portions, which I vacuum seal. They remain good for a long time, stored in my cool basement. I am more than happy to PIF you a package of each, which would be plenty for you to do your home experiment, and then take what you need on your trip. If interested, send me an e-mail at my home (drzooz@aol.com).

Edit: pre-coffee spelling error

Mark- I've got some small shock cord- figured I could use it to secure the ccf pads and then have them pull double duty as a coupler

Gary- I'm going to take you up on your generous offer- email sent, very much appreciated. My wife thinks she can get dehydrated green peppers/onions at the health food store, add some seasonings (and a small bottle of cayenne sauce! :)

Mike

Hi Mike,

If you are going to be having a fire or if you steam bake, some hot muffins for your muffin would be an excellent breakfast or dessert; mix up in a ziplock, cut corner of ziplock and squeeze into little muffin foils. Or bring bisquick mix and honey.

For lunches, miso soup packets are really satisfying and available at most grocery stores.

Other ideas: Fried summer sausage, roasted parmesan cheese over the fire until crispy brown, idahoan brand instant potatoes in their many varieties.

The knorr brand sides are salty but if splitting one up as an actual side the rice, cheddar and brocolli is quick and cheap and available everywhere.

Good luck, have fun, never underestimate the power of some hot chocolate when it's chilly. Or maybe baileys and coffee?

J

James- great tips! I really like the muffin idea, warm muffins w/ oatmeal (and a cup of Via Mocha :)

"roasted parmesan cheese over the fire until crispy brown, "

Or wrap a round of camembert in foil and set over the fire for a bit (or better yet, in the coals if you're having a real fire), then serve with warmed cranberries over crackers. Very yum.

And, I'm sure you've thought of this, but bring a candle for dinner by candlelight. Atmosphere, don't you know….

that does sound good :) candle- brilliant, wish I could say I thought of that, but can't- thanks

Kevin- the tortilla soup arrived today- replete w/ hot sauce! thanks so much, I'm sure it will do a good job of warming us up :)

Mike

Mike, your packs of red beans and rice went out today, USPS Priority. Hope they work for you. You just need to figure out the right spices, peppers, onions, Tabasco etc. to go with it.

Forget the romantic candles–just sit in the middle of a ring of 5 moderate campfires. You'll be in the Beartooths, right? Romantic as all getout, and it'll keep those griz at bay…

thanks Gary!

I think we're going into the Crazies for this trip- no grizzlies to fend :)

Gary- beans and rice made it here safely- thanks much!

will hit the health food store today to see if I can't put something together :)

Mike

Pretty fast delivery, glad you got it. After I'd mailed it, I was rummaging through my "condiments" bin in the basement, and I found some packets of Tabasco. I was bummed, as I might have included a few of those in the box. But you can just load up on cajun spices and be fine, Mike. Maybe also carry a tiny bottle of Tabasco to bump things up. Anyway, now you know what vacuum sealing can do for long term storage, right? I hope you two have a great outing, and that the weather holds for you. Happy anniversary!