Realistic non-cooler based menu planning

[zatzbatz]

That bacon in the can is supposed to be real good, but it's like 15 bucks so I think I will stick with regular bacon.

[LindseyRaeFace]

[quote="C.f.M."]Sorely lacking in fruit and vegetables...if you go this high sodium/carb packaged route, get some vitamins or something, too...[/quote].

Very true- By day 4 you can feel your body aching for vitamins. good solutions are V8 or nutritional drinks like Boost. Bomb in the mornings when you wake up hot and gross, down some liquid vitamins and start the day with some water and youll be a happy camper :)

[LostinReno]

There is just something so very wrong with that!

[LindseyRaeFace]

I dont even know how to feel about that.

I still get past the laughter when I see cans of "Batter Blaster"

[Magpie]

We're going totally freeze dried from backpacker's country and mountain house foods. You can get them at REI or campmor or any camping shop really. I just happen to already have them so that's what we're eating.

I've had a few of those and they taste really good. Kinda expensive though. I like the breakfast (egg) ones. That'd be pretty tough to keep fresh eggs from spoiling out there.

Eggs don't spoil easily at all! We brought them with us last year. Fresh eggs don't even have to be on ice. I didn't know this until I went to the UK a few years ago and noticed that the eggs in grocery stores are kept on shelves at room temp, usually by the bread. The shells have a protective coating that keeps them from spoiling.

Hard boiled is a different matter though. They need to be refrigerated.

[red arrow]

its all about the candwich ese

[junglesmacks]

Bump jus' cuz ahhhhh liiiiike this thread.

[Ugly Dougly]

Think historical. What did people eat in the desert before refrigeration?
Consider a middle-eastern-style "meze" platter:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meze
Any decent middle eastern reestaurant should have a platter of falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, babaganoush, olives and pita bread.

[phil]

Shelf-stable sandwiches from Bridgford are supposed to have a 3-year shelf life:
http://www.bridgfordfoodservice.net/rea ... /index.php



I'm not sure I'll try one. They're four bucks each on Amazon.

[theCryptofishist]

I'm sure that once the death toll from taht sandwich reaches 100 they'll take it off the market.

[mudpuppy000]

Think historical. What did people eat in the desert before refrigeration?
Consider a middle-eastern-style "meze" platter:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meze
Any decent middle eastern reestaurant should have a platter of falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, babaganoush, olives and pita bread.

I always see babaganoush and hummus refrigerated in stores. I bet they'd spoil pretty quick, but yeah, the base ingredients would last for a long time without refrigeration. It'd be kind of a pain to smash up chickpeas out there.

[LittleJack]

Has anyone tried the Heatermeals? http://www.heatermeals.com/

This is the company that makes the self-heating units for military MRE's. They realized that MRE's are great for young soldiers in combat who need lots and lots of calories, fat, sodium, whatever, but that civilians wanted the convenience of this type of meal. Thus, they started making these Heatermeals.

They've got 6 different ones, and on the website they only seem to sell them in 12 packs for $56. I'd like to try one, but not enough to buy a case of them.

[jerroc]

Heatermeal are ok. You pay more for the concept than for good food. But I have tried most of them and I'm still alive.

[Ugly Dougly]

Think historical. What did people eat in the desert before refrigeration?
Consider a middle-eastern-style "meze" platter:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meze
Any decent middle eastern reestaurant should have a platter of falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, babaganoush, olives and pita bread.

I always see babaganoush and hummus refrigerated in stores. I bet they'd spoil pretty quick, but yeah, the base ingredients would last for a long time without refrigeration. It'd be kind of a pain to smash up chickpeas out there.

I'm not a big fan of the mashed eggplants, but dates and olives are standard desert fare.

[phil]

> Has anyone tried the Heatermeals?

Louise and I always bring Heatermeals with us. I wouldn't want to live off them for the entire event, but they're reasonably good and reasonably warm. We use them especially during dust storms when we need to eat and don't want to try starting up the camp stove to cook. See our page at
http://www.cieux.com/bm/quickMeals.html
for links to similar meals. We've tried some; I found one brand that gave me heartburn every time I ate one, so I recommend trying these things out before you get on the playa.

We use Heatermeals exactly for the reasons you stated: lower calories, lower sodium, etc. Real MREs have a whole day's worth in every meal. Maybe a week's worth. :->

Search basspro.com for Heatermeals; the sell them for seven buck each plus shipping. Google says Cabella's sells them individually for the same price. Look around on the Web and see if you can't find a store near you.

[¡Niers!]

I always see babaganoush and hummus refrigerated in stores. I bet they'd spoil pretty quick, but yeah, the base ingredients would last for a long time without refrigeration. It'd be kind of a pain to smash up chickpeas out there.

I don't know about babaganoush, but I know I've seen hummus mix before. I've seen it in the bulk section in a health food store, in dry form. I think instructions are to just add water. Maybe hot water?
I think that's a great idea! Make what you want, when you want.

[unjonharley]

I always see babaganoush and hummus refrigerated in stores. I bet they'd spoil pretty quick, but yeah, the base ingredients would last for a long time without refrigeration. It'd be kind of a pain to smash up chickpeas out there.

I don't know about babaganoush, but I know I've seen hummus mix before. I've seen it in the bulk section in a health food store, in dry form. I think instructions are to just add water. Maybe hot water?
I think that's a great idea! Make what you want, when you want.

..I have dryed refried beans..Get them in bulk @ Winco.. Might try drying some salsa..

[¡Niers!]

I'm personally trying to stay away from processed foods and hydrogenated oils and preservatives.
My solution? A large propane RV fridge/freezer. I don't expect to need ice for anything but a cooler full of booze. But I'm also trying to stay away from beer, so I think I'll be packing alot of hard-A....so even less need for ice.

I'm sure I'll bring extra cooler space and money for ice just in case.

[mudpuppy000]

Mmmm, I'll have to keep an eye out for the hummus mix, that sounds great.

[C.f.M.]

Hummus is fine not refridgerated. Course, mine hasn't ever really lasted longer than a couple of days.

I've made large pots of daal, that sat out for several days and it was fine, too.

I got my first cooler for BM2009, until then I'd done camping/festivals/burns without one.

[Shawn til Dawn]

[quote="junglesmacks"] I've heard Trader Joe's has some killer Indian food pouches or something?[/quote]

I eat these every year but I buy them at Indian markets. Much cheaper and larger selection.

[Elorrum]

I don't bring perishable food. Canned, dry, foil pouches. The cooler is to hold the frozen water, that I drink as cold water during the week, and other beverages, I freeze what I can, and try to chill the canned drinks before I put them in the cooler. If I make something and have leftovers (dammit bill) I can put them in the coolers to last until the next meal. plural coolers? yes, I have two small coolers. One I wrap in reflectix and don't open until halfway through the week.

crackers, salmon in a pouch, chicken noodle soup (add sundried tomato, nori, furikake sprinkle, chili oil... but I just like it regular mainly) couscous (add salmon, veggies,) pasta box with canned veggies added, dry milk, olive oil, granola, canned fruit (nice chilled,) chips (salty snacks are good,) dried fruit, nuts (I make a big bowl of trail mix, and put it in small bags.. . grab and go) I collect my basics throughout the year as pantry earthquake stuff. Then I hit Trader Joes for treats before I go. I get things I've never tried, and bring them out as a shared adventure during the week, or take it to a pot luck sort of thing, or cocktail time. dry chili mango? lime chili cashews? dry chili pineapple? (o.k. I like chili) olives, pickles, pickled ginger... inari sushi (tofu pouches come in a can!) there's so much fun stuff, food as toys.


Phil has a good point about being able to have a decent meal if there is a long dust storm. I need a better plan for that... I ate trail mix for lunch and dinner a couple years ago, and it got old.

whole foods has a great bulk hummus mix, add water and olive oil. very creamy yummy

[VeganChoirGirl]

This needs a BUMP, because the people who are too lazy to search have started to appear. Maybe if it's right in front of their faces they wont ask stupid questions.

[theCryptofishist]

(VCG)
Because sometimes life* is so darned annoying!



*or eplayans are

[unjonharley]

/

Yesterday I cleaned the 7day cooler (9 trips to BM) It's go into the garade sale.. This years cooler will be a 5gal. Iglo water/drink cooler wraped in a solor blanet.. I have found two containers that water frozen in can fit inside the cooler.. Leaving a little space for some fruit/veggies.. That and a 5gal colapsable jug and a 5gal shower bag should be enough water for me.. In the past I have had to pour water over the ice for cold drinking..

Having to rethink space due to gas prices.. 15 gallons of water is 125lb.

No tined food this year.. Premade and vac-packed/dryed.. It
s just a camping trip

[Super Evil Brian]

Reposted from the 4-page Food Thread with a few additions, my non-refrigerated, non-fussy food list.

Breakfast:

* Shredded wheat & Horizon farms non-refrigerated milk (I often chill it, but it's not mandatory)
* Canned espresso

Lunch:

* Underwood's Devilled chicken on whole grain bread*, or
* Peanut butter and jelly or honey

Dinner:

* Tuna/Salmon packets (vacuum-sealed)
* Trader Joe’s rice/jambalaya packs

Canned chili or ravioli is also good. You can heat it, but you don't have to. I will also be adding a variety of pickled foods to my list this year.

Portable snacks: Jerky, Granola bars, Nuts, Gingersnaps (& Ginger candy in the 1st aid kit, settles tummies) Pretzels/chips, Dried fruit, Fruit cups.

And of course, juice, soda, pedialyte, beer & spirits.

Don't forget a can opener, bottle opener/corkscrew, dishes and utensils, salt & pepper (etc), a mug with a caribeener, & drawstring garbage bags for your garbage & recycling.


* Here is the trick I use to keep bread edible for 5-6 days: buy it on the way--a few hours before entering BRC. I don't chill it, because I feel there is too much risk of it getting it wet--your mileage may vary. Open it at least once a day, and let it breath for a while (20-30 minutes, whatever) to get the moisture out. This goes against my real-world habits in a really big way & can feel pretty strange--it would normally be a great way to get immediately stale bread. However, it has worked for me every time, no less than 5 days of good bread, sometimes more. Still, however, I make sure to consume a lot of bread in the first few days especially, so that if it goes bad it's no big deal.

(This year I will also try tortillas, and also air them out.)

I'm getting hungry and I think I'll camp near you. Your post sounds tasty.

[VeganChoirGirl]

Reposted from the 4-page Food Thread with a few additions, my non-refrigerated, non-fussy food list.

Breakfast:

* Shredded wheat & Horizon farms non-refrigerated milk (I often chill it, but it's not mandatory)
* Canned espresso

Lunch:

* Underwood's Devilled chicken on whole grain bread*, or
* Peanut butter and jelly or honey

Dinner:

* Tuna/Salmon packets (vacuum-sealed)
* Trader Joe’s rice/jambalaya packs

Canned chili or ravioli is also good. You can heat it, but you don't have to. I will also be adding a variety of pickled foods to my list this year.

Portable snacks: Jerky, Granola bars, Nuts, Gingersnaps (& Ginger candy in the 1st aid kit, settles tummies) Pretzels/chips, Dried fruit, Fruit cups.

And of course, juice, soda, pedialyte, beer & spirits.

Don't forget a can opener, bottle opener/corkscrew, dishes and utensils, salt & pepper (etc), a mug with a caribeener, & drawstring garbage bags for your garbage & recycling.


* Here is the trick I use to keep bread edible for 5-6 days: buy it on the way--a few hours before entering BRC. I don't chill it, because I feel there is too much risk of it getting it wet--your mileage may vary. Open it at least once a day, and let it breath for a while (20-30 minutes, whatever) to get the moisture out. This goes against my real-world habits in a really big way & can feel pretty strange--it would normally be a great way to get immediately stale bread. However, it has worked for me every time, no less than 5 days of good bread, sometimes more. Still, however, I make sure to consume a lot of bread in the first few days especially, so that if it goes bad it's no big deal.

(This year I will also try tortillas, and also air them out.)

I'm getting hungry and I think I'll camp near you. Your post sounds tasty.

Sav is a very cool customer. She has her situation down pat! I got a cot like her's this year, because she always looks so well rested. AND she always looks impossibly fresh. Seriously lady, you're awesome.

[Savannah]

I always look well-rested??* You're being dangerously nice. Just what are you up to over there? Is it my devilled chicken you're after? (I can hardly blame you. It's the most seductive of the commercially available meat pastes.)

* If I don't sleep at least 6 hours a night, my sanity starts circling the drain.

[Super Evil Brian]

I always look well-rested??* You're being dangerously nice. Just what are you up to over there? Is it my devilled chicken you're after? (I can hardly blame you. It's the most seductive of the commercially available meat pastes.)

* If I don't sleep at least 6 hours a night, my sanity starts circling the drain.

Is that sort of similar to pastrami being the most sensuous of lunch meats?

And, I thought about a cot, but I have a big air mattress instead. Then again, you can tape me to the wall upside down and I'll probably irritate you with my snoring. I'm like an 8-year-old in that I run around screaming and yelling until it's sleep time, then fal asleep mid-sentence.

[theCryptofishist]

I think you meant:

I'm like an 8-year-old in that I run around screaming and yelling until it's sleep time, then fal asle--