Sit. Rep. #46: Not the dog – Chow

     Eating while backpacking is a bit more of a challenge than when car camping or at home.  My personal menu selections involve only 1 pot for cooking And a coffee pot for the Scoutmaster’s smiling face in the mornings.  If we keep the cook kit to a minimum then we also need to keep the Chief’s Kit to a minimum to save weight.  Therefore plan menus that use only a few utensils for preparing and cooking.

Breakfast suggestions:
1- Oatmeal & trail mix,  Grits & diced ham (cook the country ham at home beforehand & refrigerate overnight),  Grits & cheese,  Peanut butter & bagels,  Sausage & grits, Sausage & biscuits,  Grilled cheese (use English muffins for a variety),  Ham Biscuits,  Oatmeal & powdered peanut butter,

Note: Most of the above, all you have to do is boil water.  Make sure that you have enough portions for everyone to eat well.  1 little packet of oatmeal or grits is not near enough.  5 packets are about right.  Read the labels on portion sizes.  If you can – measure / weigh a whole meal at home then add about 20 % because out in the woods you will be hungrier than normal.

2- Lunch suggestions:
Apple & peanut butter,  Banana chips & almond butter,  Canned chicken & cheese w/ flatbread,  Tuna w/ relish & flatbread,  Tuna or chicken or ham salad & crackers,  Beef jerky, and pears……

Note: No cooking at lunch.  Could swap for dinner menu if water is an issue at your overnight campsite.  Pack out your trash & put it in the bear bag overnight.  Lunch should take about 30-45 mins.  Eat then relax, let your food settle.

G- What happened to the Scout that refinished the wooden flag pole?
H- He varnished into thin air.

3- Dinner thoughts:
Warm German potato salad, beef stew, bean & bacon soup,  Potato & bacon soup,  Mexican black bean soup, chicken noodle soup from scratch (mine puts soup companies to shame),  Navy bean rainbow soup,  Mac Cheese with spam & veg.,  Charleston low country stew,  Gumbo,  Cajun rice,  Stuffed cabbage, Tomato & navy bean soup,  Chicken & dumplings,  Chili,  Red beans & rice, Country ham w/ potatoes,  Arroz con pollo (don’t forget the olives), Cajun corn soup, Knockwurst & roasted potatoes, and the list could go on forever…

With almost every menu above – the longer it cooks or simmers – the better it tastes.  Make sure that you carry enough for everyone to get seconds or thirds.

READ THE LABEL on things like sausage.  “Refrigerate after opening” are the words you want to see.  Ask your folks or Scout Leaders about food spoilage.

4- Cracker Barrel:
Cobbler, Campfire doughnuts, Cake of all sorts of flavors, Molasses & cornbread,  Biscuits & honey,

Trail snacks:
Apples, Pears, Carrots,  Raisins, String cheese, Trail mix (homemade is cheaper & better), Jerky, Nuts of any variety or mixed,

Hot drinks:
Coffee, Tea, Hot chocolate, Tang, Panela (found in the Latin aisle at the grocery store – it is also really good for a sore throat)

Your menu should include at least 2 meals with vegetables (potatoes do not count).  And At least 2 servings of fruit per day.

I- What did they get when the scientists crossbred poison ivy with four-leaf clover?
J- A rash of good luck!

Hungry,
Gaither

Campfire Tales by Thomas Mercaldo

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