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Food to Go –

Food to Go – Thank You!

Thank you for downloading the sample chapter of Food to Go.We really hope you enjoy it!

Breakfast is just a small part of planning meals for your next adventure. In

fact, this sneak preview is only 8 pages taken from the whole 132 page eBook.

Rather than boring you with what we think about the book, we have included a

few independent reviews from people who have purchased Food to Go:

I just bought the book and I can’t believe how much information is there!

It covers everything, in detail, with lots of references, and pictures to guide

every step of the way. I am already impressed. I can’t wait to tell you how

it all tasted. Thanks for sharing it. - Janine

What I like about this book is that it logically takes you step by step through

the whole menu planning process. This is an onerous task for a long trip

yet it seems easy when it’s laid out in the format they suggest. It’s obvious

that the authors are sharing years of experience and are trying to help the

reader avoid their mistakes.

I particularly like the fact that 13 people have provided sample menus from

diverse countries – Australia (that’s why you see wallaby jerky as a snack

item!), New Zealand, the UK, the US and Canada. You get the full range of

what people like to cook. – Leigh – Hike Bike Travel

Food to Go – Thank You!

Thank you so much for all the fantastic info within this book. I have been

wanting to get a dehydrator for AGES for our hiking trips, now I have the

recipes, I have no choice!

Congrats on a wonderful book. – Lisette

The Food To Go authors live in Australia, but this guide will help you no matter

where you live. We all want to be prepared, eat tasty food and enjoy ourselves

in the outdoors.

This book is different than a lot of the other backpacking food guides and

cookbooks that I own, in it provides step by step instructions on how to plan

a multi-day menu that has a lot of variety and is easy to pack and/or cook.

The truth is that backpackers need to eat more than 3 square, augmenting

their diet with snacks throughout the day. We all do it, and this book helps

you understand how to put them all together as a complete nutritional

system. Philip - Sectionhiker.com

Downloading the book is a simple process. Once you have it you can read it on

the screen, print out the whole book or just print the sections you need.

We really appreciate you checking out the sample and hope you eat well on

your next trip!

Frank, Sue and Deb

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Breakfast 4Early mornings can be minefields. Some people are bright and chipper

merrily producing a hearty feast to break the fast. Then there are those

of us who prefer to silently begin the day with a quiet cuppa and a rollie

while sitting on a rock contemplating the dawn. Tolerance of others’ needs

and the production of a positive outlook for the day

ahead is usually easier with a full belly.

Below is a list of different breakfast ideas gathered

from people with whom we have shared the start of

the day.

CerealIf you are very ‘cereal’ about the first meal of the

day you are confronted with the challenge of carrying

several days worth of delicate flakes so that they do

not become reduced to crumbs.

Remember when preparing your rations to measure

out the amount you eat each day into a zip-loc bag.

This means that you can have your portions exactly

determined and the right quantity prepared for the

trip.

Measure what you would eat at home, maybe add 20%

for your added energy use and package in a Ziploc bag

Fresh fruit is impractical to carry, especially soft fruits – kiwi, strawberries

and the like. Consider taking some dried fruit to cut up finely or a separate

bag of prunes and add to the cereal each morning.

If you like to have sugar on your cereal add it into the daily portion. There,

that’s one less thing to forget.

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Food to Go – Breakfast

PorridgeFor those who prefer something to stick to the ribs there is always porridge.

There are a couple of options.

• The supermarket supplies a ready-made oat product

wrapped up with flavourings in individual serves.

The serves are smallish for an adult hiker-be sure

to try before the hike for flavour and size.

• You can also find less expensive unflavoured instant

oats in larger packages. These cook exactly the same

as the pre-measured ones. When packing at home

you can add dried fruit, nuts, spices, oat bran (if

you like more fibre) and sugar (brown, white, raw,

maple or any crystallized variety) to your taste. It is recommended

to add a tablespoon of powdered milk (skim or whole, your choice)

at this point. Zip and give a little shake to mix the ingredients. You

can see that by varying the ingredients you can enjoy a new taste

sensation each morning.

You can also carry cereal (any flaky or grainy product that will fit thru

the pouring spout) in a 2 litre plastic milk bottle. The container can

usually hold 8 days worth of breakfast cereal. This method of storage

is terrific as the flakes don’t appear in your bowl as crumbs. It takes

a bit of gentle persuasion to get it in there but I think it’s worth it.

Dried fruits or nuts are a great

addition to pack more energy

Measure out with your normal bowl; add a bit extra and then the sugar

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Food to Go – Breakfast

• There are many other grain porridges such as wheat hearts, rice,

buckwheat, semolina, polenta and quinoa. You may have a regional

favorite such as Red River or grits.

Instant oats There are two methods of preparation for instant oats.

Bowl - there is no need to really cook the porridge; just put it in a plate/

bowl, add milk powder if you desire, pour boiling water over it and cover

it for a few minutes (stirring occasionally). This pretty well cooks it and

stops the high sugar content burning solid on the bottom of the pot! Add

some powdered milk if you like a creamier mix.

Bag - To avoid the pot scouring altogether try this. You may wish to

practice at home to get the amounts correct.

Place the unzipped one serving bag of porridge that you packed in your

bowl or pot. Cover the porridge with boiling water. Stir, zip the bag and

let sit for a few minutes then stir. Eat directly from the bag. Ta Da! Wash

only your spoon.

Muesli (aka Granola)Muesli may be eaten cold or cooked the same as porridge. Look for a

good balance of taste and nutrients. Add powdered milk and mix with

water later.

Measure out the porridge or other

cereal; add a bit extra, some powdered

milk and then sugar to taste.

Seal in with some dried fruits or nuts. Ready to pour in a pot and cook.

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Food to Go – Breakfast

Bircher MuesliIngredients

• 1 cup oats

• ½ cup milk

• ½ cup yoghurt

• ¼ cup fruit juice

• small handful of dried fruit (optional)

Method At home

Mix all ingredients and keep cool over night. In the a.m.

check consistency and add more milk if necessary.

Dehydrate and add a sprinkle of brown sugar.

Alternative MethodAdd oats, yoghurt leather and powdered milk to a zip loc

bag. Add brown sugar to replace the fruit juice.

At camp

Add enough water to mix the dry ingredients into a wet

porridge consistency. Let it soak overnight adding more

water or milk in the morning.

YoghurtYoghurt can be dehydrated as a leather.

At camp set the yoghurt to rehydrate overnight and add

to cereal, porridge or muesli.

Bircher muesli, prepared at home and dried for a trip

Bircher muesli, bagged,

labeled and ready to go

Rehydrated Bircher muesli

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Food to Go – Breakfast

Cooked BreakfastBreakfast Burritos Take flat bread, spread with refried beans (dehydrate these

and rehydrate as needed), rehydrate some dried eggs and

scramble - add to flatbread, maybe some bacon or ham or

cheese, onion, peppers, corn …

Roll up and either toast in fry pan or eat as is - yum.

Very filling and due to the protein content long lasting in

the satisfaction department.

Baked beansDehydrated baked beans are a hearty, fibre filled option if you are not a

cereal person or you are just looking for some variety. Rehydrate in the

bag with hot water. The time it takes and the amount of boiling water will

vary according to how dry the beans are. It is an option to set the beans

rehydrating the night before. Remember to stir them several times during

rehydration but do it gently so as not to make mush.

PancakesGreat idea. Keep it simple by mixing in the plastic bag. If you have

brought oil, use it as these do tend to stick to the pan.

Before: In dehydrator-egg

white, yolk, baked beans After 4 hours: Ready to cool and bag

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Food to Go – Breakfast

The simplest method is the store bought ‘just add water’ variety.

Remember to decant into a zip loc bag with cut out instructions. This

reduces the weight you carry and also the volume of rubbish that you will

have to lug around.

EggsCommercialIn Australia you can purchase 400 grams ( 14.1 oz) of freeze dried eggs

from Pace Farms. This is the equivalent of 32 eggs.

To make the equivalent of two eggs you require 25 grams (0.9 oz) of

powder to 62 mls water

Alternatively, Backpackers Pantry has a variety of egg products, including

whole egg powder

Dehydrate your ownThe most successful method to dehydrate eggs is to:

•• Separate the yolks and the whites.

•• Whip whites until they form stiff peaks.

•• Whip yolks until light in colour.

•• Place on solid tray of dehydrator .

•• Dry at top temp until whites crumble and yolks are parched leather.

pancake photo by Young Yun

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Food to Go – Breakfast

•• The yolks reconstitute better if you chop

them very finely.

•• Package separately if you wish.

To Reconstitute:

•• 2 Tbsp powdered whites + 2 Tbsp powdered

yolks = 2 eggs.

•• Add 1 Tbsp warm water/1 Tbsp dried egg

(either white or yolk).

•• Allow to sit about 10 minutes, stirring

often.

•• Best cooked as an omelet or as scrambled

eggs.

•• Add some bacon or chopped up ham or

salami, don’t forget salt and pepper from

your spice pack.

Other Breakfast Options•• Hard boiled eggs - Cook before you leave home. They will last a

couple of days if the weather is cool.

•• Breakfast bars, cereal or granola bars (watch the sugar content!)

•• Pop tarts – raw or cooked over your burner to warm them up.

•• Bagels (they pack well for a couple of days) take a tiny tub of

cream cheese and some packet jam or jelly.

•• Cereal or granola bars.

•• Bread – best to take a heavy rye or pumpernickel as a loaf and

slice it as required. It can be toasted over your burner or heated

in a fry pan with sliced cheese or just add toppings such as jam,

honey, vegemite or cold meat.

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Food to Go – Contents

ContentsIntroduction ..............................................i

Planning your Menu ..............................11. Party Size ............................................................................1

2. Number of days out ..............................................................2

3. Season ................................................................................3

4. Location ..............................................................................3

5. Preparation Time ..................................................................4

6. Budget ................................................................................4

7. Special Diets? ......................................................................4

Menu Plan...............................................................................5

Menu Ideas .............................................................................6

Matthias Siegel - Matt Down Under ...........................................8

Nik Sands - Bushwalk Australia .................................................9

Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd - Calipidder .......................................11

Deb Hadskis – Co Author ...........................................................14

Georgie Bull – Queensland Fruit Guru .........................................15

Clare Wall – Outdoor Educator ..................................................16

Darren Christie – U.K. Outdoor Blogger .......................................17

Michelle Waitzman - Author .......................................................18

Steve Cockburn – Queensland Bushwalker ..................................19

Caitie Moncur – Outdoor Educator ..............................................20

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Food to Go – Contents

Adam Holbrook – Wilderness Photographer ..................................22

Philip Werner – Section Hiker ....................................................24

Leigh McAdam – Hike Bike Travel ..............................................27

Tips to get organised ............................29Remove Excess Food Packaging .................................................29

Reduce Food Weight .................................................................30

Store your food well ..................................................................31

Share basic items .....................................................................34

Food Packing ...........................................................................34

Nutrition/Energy .......................................................................35

Variety ....................................................................................36

Spare meal .............................................................................40

Dehydrating your own meals ...........41What is dehydrating? ................................................................41

Dehydration Unit ......................................................................42

Nutritional Notes .....................................................................43

How long does it take? ..............................................................43

Conditioning ............................................................................44

Storing....................................................................................45

Dehydrating Fruit and Vegetables ...............................................47

Rehydration .............................................................................55

How to dehydrate and rehydrate a meal - step by step instructions .58

Quick guide to great dehydrating ................................................62

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Food to Go – Contents

Breakfast .....................................................63Cooked Breakfast .....................................................................67

Other Breakfast Options ............................................................69

Lunch ...........................................................70Sandwich Type Ideas ................................................................71

Filling Ideas ............................................................................72

Cooked Lunch ..........................................................................75

Dinner ..........................................................77Supermarket options .................................................................77

Commercial or store bought meals (freeze dried or dehydrated) .....80

Products on the market .............................................................81

Home cooked, dehydrated or prepare in camp ..............................95

Vegetarian ...............................................................................95

Fresh Meat Dishes ....................................................................121

Salmon/ Tuna Main Meals .........................................................125

A Sweet Ending .......................................134Custard and Dried Fruit .............................................................134

Berry Cobbler...........................................................................135

Custard and fruit cake ..............................................................136

Instant pudding .......................................................................136

Cheesecake .............................................................................136

Pancakes with choc chips .........................................................137

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Food to Go – Contents

Fruit rice pudding ....................................................................137

Snacks ..........................................................138Scroggin, GORP and Trail Mix ....................................................138

Alternative Snacks ....................................................................140

Fruit cake ...............................................................................142

Leathers .................................................................................142

Popcorn ..................................................................................143

Drinks and Hydration ............................144Flavouring ...............................................................................144

Milk .......................................................................................145

Coffee/Tea/Hot chocolate ...........................................................146

Soup ......................................................................................146

Alcohol ...................................................................................147

Water and Hydration .................................................................147

Cooking Gear ............................................150Stoves ....................................................................................150

Pots .......................................................................................155

Other pot options .....................................................................157

Additional “kitchen” gear ..........................................................157

In Conclusion... .........................................159Further resources .....................................................................159

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Food to Go – Contents

Thanks and acknowledgements ..................................................159

Disclaimer ...............................................................................161

Copyright ................................................................................161

Food to Go – Thank You!

So what do you think?

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email frank@

ourhikingblog.com.au.

We are happy to help you out.

You can download the full version of Food to Go by clicking the “Download

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Thanks for your time and enjoy your next adventure.

Frank, Sue and Deb