Expert: Chef Glen L. Davis II - 12/27/2008

Question
I am going on a 3 to 4 day river trip by kayak.  Having to pack light and lack of refridgeration has me looking for recipes to use jerky or beef sticks cooking on the campfire using other non-perishables.  We will be snacking on the river by day, but would like a little heartier meal at night.  Any ideas?

Answer
As an "ultra light" backpacker I understand your problem. Personally I carry the same thing our troops do (for the most part), I bring MRE's (meal ready to eat) with me. I do use dried venison for some recipes though, you should be able to replace beef for the venison. However I do not "season" the dried venison I use, except for some salt and pepper (to reduce the need for spices when I cook it). I don't know if "jerky" will work very well but you can try.

Probably the best recipe I have created is what I call "hunters stew"
4 oz dried venison (or beef)
4 oz dried "soup vegetables" (pot, carrot, onion, garlic, bell pepper)
1 oz freeze dried corn
2 oz "macaroni" pasta
1 oz beef stock base (bouillon is to salty)
16-20 oz water
1.5 tsp seasonings (thyme, basil, pepper, garlic & onion powder)

combine all ingredients in pot or large "sierra cup" and stir until stock base is dissolved. Boil on "camp stove" (I use a "whisper light" alcohol stove) for about 10-12 min, add water if needed.

You can also add some dried beef into "ramen noodles" soups. I like using the mushroom flavor for this. Powdered eggs is an option, "freeze dried" cheeses and vegetables work well when combined with the powdered eggs. "Mountain House" makes very good products for this kind of thing and can be found for reasonable prices. I believe the website I buy m stuff from is www.beprepared.com .

Make sure that you bring enough food, water, water purification and first aide supplies for a few extra days (you can NEVER be to prepared). I think there are also some good recipes that "Mountain House" has on their company website.

Another good option (if you know 100% what you are doing) is to use what nature gives you to ACCENT your diet on your trip. DO NOT RELY ON THE LAND TO PROVIDE ALL OF YOUR CALORIC NEEDS!!!! THIS COULD PROVE TO BE A FATAL MISTAKE IF YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE IT!!! I ALWAYS carry my "Boy Scout Handbook" in my pack, it is full of useful information and has edible/medicinal plan identification.

Have fun, be safe and let me know if I can further assist you!