Backpacking meals update – taste tests

The Pinnacle Jambalaya called for 1.25 cups of water. Let it stand for 8 minutes, then add more water if necessary.

The rice didn’t fully rehydrate. Adding more hot water later left it a little mushy and still not fully rehydrated. Still, I was searching for sausage with every bite to give it some flavor.

Farm to Summit Green Chili Mac and Cheese.

I did buy this one again. Good flavor. Good price, though pricy for Mac and cheese, which I will probably get the next time. Probably a 2 for buying it a third time. Convenient, but easily replicated.

The Luxefly Duck Confit with White Bean Cassoulet (sounds fancy) has so far topped my list for flavor. Not a big fan of white beans. These were good. I did buy it again. On sale. A 4. High priced, but a nice reward when it’s rotation comes up.

I do have the Luxefly Filet Mignon Beef Stroganoff in hand. That’ll be a special reward. For what I’m not sure yet. I probably won’t deserve it and I’ll be too tired to enjoy it, but it might be the holy grail of freeze dried.

Luxefly Longs Meat Market Breakfast Sausage and Biscuits.

Really good sausage. Having to separate the biscuits before adding water drops them down to a 3.

Excellent.  Couldnt bring myself to pay for the Filet Mignon one – cant wait to hear.  Definitely will try the Farm to Summit green chili mac and Luxefly sausage and buscuits (Pinnacle Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits and Herbed Sausage Gravy one of my faves).

I always babysit my meals when rehydrating.  I know the recommended time is too short but, like you said, too long no beuno.  And always add more hot water becaue I wait so long.  I also have a pretty good spice kit in my backpack.

I recommend these Pinnacle ones for sure.  But taste is so subjective..

Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Penne Pasta
Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits and Herbed Sausage Gravy
Italian Sausage and Zesty Tomato Sauce with Farfalle Pasta, and Parmesan
Herb Roasted Chicken and White Cheddar Biscuit Dumplings

Was this the Luxefly Longs Meat Market Breakfast Sausage and Biscuits one?  Didnt mention Longs Meat Market specifically.
https://luxeflybasecamp.com/products/longs-meat-market-breakfast-sausage-gravy-with-biscuits

I think that’s it. I bought it in January. It was “Longs Market”.  Still local sources which is probably good.

My biggest problem with it was when I pulled out the biscuits, I also removed some of the gravy which went back in with the biscuits. Not really a fair test, yet I wonder if I want to try it again. I may knowing my mistakes. Use it to fill out an order. So far I’ve waited until it’s on sale, then ordered enough to get free shipping.

I agree that the Pinnacle Foods rice dishes (e.g., Jambalaya) are lacking in flavor and texture. The rice does not reconstitute pleasantly. The Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Penne Pasta and the Italian Sausage and Zesty Tomato Sauce with Farfalle are both excellent. Highly recommended.

I think I read an article that Pinnacle Foods is run by two brothers, one was culinary trained, started in thier garage.  Both backpackers.

I was prompted to try the Pinnacle Roasted Chicken and White Cheddar Biscuit Dumplings with Carrots and Green Beans. Whew! At least there was no French to misspell.

It had a lot more flavor than what I experienced before. Filling. Added extra water and let it sit for a few extra minutes. Some of the outside texture of the biscuits was dumpling like progressing to more biscuit like texture, followed by incomplete rehydration. In spite, they weren’t that bad. Interesting. The odds of buying it again are maybe 2 out of 5 based on personal preference only. I thought the quality was good with a decent amount of meat.

I’m left with questions.

What is the affect of altitude on rehydration? What adjustments should be made?

I always go at least 10 minutes more than recommended amount.  Check.  Have more hot water nearby to add if needed.  I always have to remind myself to cut all the meals a little slack, as I could be eating peanut butter begals and ramen.  The whole topic is so subjective, as we have learned.  And what people taste buds perceive is unique to each palate.  At tirs I wa hoping to develop a clear list of at least Dont Bother meals.  But opinions are all over the place (a good thing for having options!)

Nothing I’ve tried has been uneatable. I thought the rice lacked in flavor. I wouldn’t turn it down. Even a 2 rating, I might mix it in on a long trip for variaty. It isn’t necessarily a low rating. I mention rehydration, I don’t find it extremely important. If the ingredients are good. It doesn’t trigger the ick factor. Much of it is from preparation mistakes.

I am using a HMG cozy without ziplocks. I understand why folks use ziplocks. For me, it’s a waste of plastic if I’m only carrying for a day or two. Everything in its original packaging. It doesn’t fit well. The cozy is too small.

I make sure the food pouch is correctly sealed and I rehydrate in my puffy jacket or in my down quilt.  After 15 minutes it will still be too hot to eat. No need to bring a cozy which will have a much lower R value than your puffy or quilt anyway. Of course you need to be careful not to spill food into your clothing etc, but I have not experienced an accident so far.

BTW- the Dutchware Bowl Bags are excellent for repackaging if you find the stock pouches too stiff and bulky. They are a good size and the zipper closure is very strong. They can be washed and reused. Great product.

Dutchware bags, no problem with boiling water?

No problem

It’s nice that they’re reusable. That’s the main reason I don’t like ziplocks.

“Couldnt bring myself to pay for the Filet Mignon one – cant wait to hear.”

I reviewed that one earlier in the year. It was pretty darn good. Just very pricey.

Guys: Instant rice will never rehydrate properly in 8 minutes, no matter what the companies claim. It needs 15 minutes, especially at altitude or in cold temperatures outside.

All freeze-fried or dehydrated meals need at least 15 minutes to rehydrate properly. The more minutes you give, the less your stomach has to do that extra digesting for you (and you will have less gas/upset stomach as well…)

You can buy silicone bags, that you rinse out. Even Ziploc makes them now.

Yep.  I always double the recommended time, then check it.  I try not to buy meals I know will gte mushy if I wait too long.

You can buy silicone bags, that you rinse out.

Those silicone bags are a great idea, but, WOW they are SO expensive. $17.50 for two at Amazon. I can get 80 pint size freezer bags for that price and don’t have to wash them out.

Im going to do the filet mignon.  Will report back.  My usualy theme: If I am on the 4 day Rae Lakes Loop.  Flew to CA, rented a car, etc, when I get to a target campsite after a grueling day, I have no problem even paying $15-18 for total satiation.  Its still about the same as going out to eat, but means so much more exhausted at 10K feet.  =^)

What about those Dutchware bags?

I am impatient

Sometimes I wait 15 minutes so it’s fully hydrated

Sometimes it’s a little crunchy

(Microwavable)  Cilantro Lime Rice packet + Albacore tuna with a touch of lemon pepper. 3+

I do have a silicone baggie. It’s built like a CNOC with a slider. I wouldn’t want to take more than one. I’ll have to experiment with it

At the end of the day, when tiring of one’s own thoughts, a meal becomes entertainment. A little crunch can sometimes be interesting. A subject of conversation that lasts long after the trail. It’s all good.

Lol:  “At the end of the day, when tiring of one’s own thoughts, ”

On hard trips my motto is always “Embrace the suck”

On hard trips my motto is always “Embrace the suck”

That has been my lifelong take on life. Drives one of my kids crazy; he’s 16 and knows everything. Tells me my trauma is an issue – for him. Lol.

Also said to him “You just get up and keep going”.