Packit Gourmet

[chrisoc]

I like Packit Gourmet. Especially the Bangers and Mash

[se7enty]

we took a couple of meals on the AT last month. it was the first time we'd tried them.

american burger wrap: WAY too much seasoning. i don't know if we got a bad batch or what. i like seasoned beef, but this was like 3 entire bottles of steak seasoning. i like seasonings, but this was just not my cup of tea. i was planning to add taco seasoning to it, but thank goodness i tasted it first...although it was too strong anyway and i couldn't eat it. my husband, who will not let anything go to waste, ate all of it.

chicken n dumplings: really really good, but don't expect it to be like chicken & dumplings. it's really more like chicken noodle soup; vegetables and flavorings. chicken & dumplings, at least here in the south, is only seasoned with salt & pepper. anyway, this was extremely GOOD. very satisfying. the 1 person serving was enough for my husband and me.

all of their ingredients seem to be very high quality. leaps & bounds beyond mountain house and the like. the hamburger had great texture and seemed like real hamburger, so next time i'm just ordering plain ground beef then i can add whatever i want to it. we'll definitely order from them from now on.

[sarbar]

I have never heard of the "FBC method"

Do check out the food section and or visit my website - it will explain it all.
http://www.trailcooking.com/trail-co...ag-cooking-101

I have been a long time user of PIG items - being able to buy small amounts of powders is helpful for example - where I don't need to go buy 1 lb at a time.

On shipping: buy a big order! Having a well stocked outdoor pantry makes life easy and you can get free shipping that way!

Some meals we have reviewed:

[Mountain Wildman]

Do check out the food section and or visit my website - it will explain it all.
http://www.trailcooking.com/trail-co...ag-cooking-101

I have been a long time user of PIG items - being able to buy small amounts of powders is helpful for example - where I don't need to go buy 1 lb at a time.

On shipping: buy a big order! Having a well stocked outdoor pantry makes life easy and you can get free shipping that way!

Some meals we have reviewed:

Thanks,
I saved the site to my favorites, Going to read more now, I have started a backpacking food pantry but didn't realize I was doing it until I noticed I had over a half dozen Packit Gourmet, A couple cases of clif bars, and a case of larabars and about 18 packages of noodle sides etc...
It just kinda sneaks up on ya!!

[sarbar]

Heh! That is sooo how it starts!

[lamarr]

[QUOTE=Mountain Wildman;1030201]Fourth of July Camping Trip.
Austintacious Tortilla Soup:
After getting my campsite all set up I broke open my Packit Gourmet Austintacious Tortilla Soup for dinner, Like all of the Packit Gourmet meals it had several separate components which are mixed together to form the final product, Same as when preparing a meal at home. The soup was awesome, Chicken that had the appropriate texture and consistency, broth and medley of vegetables with a packet of True Lime Powder, a packet of Tobasco sauce and a small bag of tortilla chip pieces. Note: With the entire packet of tobasco sauce added it was belly warming to say the least. (Did not take pictures of this item) Sorry!!
Will I order this again? Yes

Based on this glowing review I ordered about $60 in assorted goodies from Packit. The Tortilla soup appeared to be a favorite so I tried it first, WOW doesn't quite cut it! This "trail food" was better than most of my home meals. I can honestly say that I would rather have this soup than a lot of restaurant choices. PS I halved the hot sauce and lime and my nose only ran a little!! GO EASY!


I probably over cooked it a bit but have to experiment with the alcohol stove. 2 tablespoons let it cook for 10 minutes without using all the fuel. I let it stand for 10 minutes and the beans were extra soft.

As I eat my way thru the box, I'll post more. Thanks for the heads up on this Wildman. It will be in my drop boxes next year!

[Mountain Wildman]

[QUOTE=lamarr;1032304]

Fourth of July Camping Trip.
Austintacious Tortilla Soup:
After getting my campsite all set up I broke open my Packit Gourmet Austintacious Tortilla Soup for dinner, Like all of the Packit Gourmet meals it had several separate components which are mixed together to form the final product, Same as when preparing a meal at home. The soup was awesome, Chicken that had the appropriate texture and consistency, broth and medley of vegetables with a packet of True Lime Powder, a packet of Tobasco sauce and a small bag of tortilla chip pieces. Note: With the entire packet of tobasco sauce added it was belly warming to say the least. (Did not take pictures of this item) Sorry!!
Will I order this again? Yes

Based on this glowing review I ordered about $60 in assorted goodies from Packit. The Tortilla soup appeared to be a favorite so I tried it first, WOW doesn't quite cut it! This "trail food" was better than most of my home meals. I can honestly say that I would rather have this soup than a lot of restaurant choices. PS I halved the hot sauce and lime and my nose only ran a little!! GO EASY!


I probably over cooked it a bit but have to experiment with the alcohol stove. 2 tablespoons let it cook for 10 minutes without using all the fuel. I let it stand for 10 minutes and the beans were extra soft.

As I eat my way thru the box, I'll post more. Thanks for the heads up on this Wildman. It will be in my drop boxes next year!

Lamarr,
I am glad you like it so far, I have enjoyed the meals as well, I have a 150 dollar order geared up to go so I get free shipping, I agree, They are better than some of my home cooked meals, I really loved the Market Pasta Puttanesca, So much so that I have 3 of the 2 person meals on my next order. Oh, And I used the whole lime packet and the whole tobasco packet as well when I made the Austintacious Tortilla Soup!! <=This is how I looked by the time I was done eating the soup.

[lamarr]

[QUOTE=Mountain Wildman;1032314]

Lamarr,
I am glad you like it so far, I have enjoyed the meals as well, I have a 150 dollar order geared up to go so I get free shipping, I agree, They are better than some of my home cooked meals, I really loved the Market Pasta Puttanesca, So much so that I have 3 of the 2 person meals on my next order. Oh, And I used the whole lime packet and the whole tobasco packet as well when I made the Austintacious Tortilla Soup!! <=This is how I looked by the time I was done eating the soup.

I imagine the whole packet "would cure what ails ya!" I pity the Giardia that got caught in that! I'm headed to Mt. Rainier this week, so the reviews will be slow coming, but I'm definitely planning on adding a big order to the food stockpile for March!

[lamarr]

OK had the tropic fusion smoothie today. Good stuff. I suspect that this drink would be a pretty filling start to the day. I'll have to try one when I'm out in the field, but the first impression is that this is another keeper in their line of foods.

[lamarr]

Next in line is the chicken and dumplings. I'd have to agree with a previous post that says it more of a chicken noodle soup. BUT here's the thing, it's a really really good chicken noodle! Lots of filling stuff in this soup and the chicken really is chicken. It's good stuff. I normally want something more filling than soup for dinner but this meal and a bagel to soak up the goodness would fit the bill nicely!

Can it really all be this good? We'll see. There's plenty more in the box!!!!

[Mountain Wildman]

Next in line is the chicken and dumplings. I'd have to agree with a previous post that says it more of a chicken noodle soup. BUT here's the thing, it's a really really good chicken noodle! Lots of filling stuff in this soup and the chicken really is chicken. It's good stuff. I normally want something more filling than soup for dinner but this meal and a bagel to soak up the goodness would fit the bill nicely!

Can it really all be this good? We'll see. There's plenty more in the box!!!!

Glad to hear it!!
I just ordered the Chicken and Dumplings and quite a bit more.

[dcmidnight]

Would you guys say the 1 person portions are really large enough for one hungry hiker? As I've been experiementing with some of the store bought stuff (vs make your own) it seems that "1 person" servings tend to run a little small.

Also, would most of their meals be cookable in a Jetboil 1L (with the pan)? I gave up on my Pocket Rocket this year in favor of something easier to carry.

Thanks guys, this is a great thread!

[Mountain Wildman]

Would you guys say the 1 person portions are really large enough for one hungry hiker? As I've been experiementing with some of the store bought stuff (vs make your own) it seems that "1 person" servings tend to run a little small.

Also, would most of their meals be cookable in a Jetboil 1L (with the pan)? I gave up on my Pocket Rocket this year in favor of something easier to carry.

Thanks guys, this is a great thread!

DC,
Although I have not been able to do any hiking lately due to a back injury that is almost rehabilitated, I have been out on a couple camping trips and I found the portion to be very satisfying, I am a good eater and my 285 lbs. is proof of that. I am not a one cheeseburger guy, Usually 2 cheeseburgers, a fish sandwich, fries and a large coke hit the spot. I, so far have tried the Market Pasta Puttanesca and the Bangers and Mash meals and my appetite was satisfied. This picture is of a single serving portion in my 6 1/2" Frypan lid, I did not go looking for more to eat when I was done and I eat until I am not hungry anymore. You may not be bursting at the seams from one of their meals but I would think you would be satisfied as well, Even if you were still hungry it would only be alittle and the quality of the food is excellent, Restaurant quality.
A 1 Liter pot should work, My pot is 1.9 Liters and the food wasn't even at the halfway point.
Their portions are larger than the typical envelope meal.

[Chif]

It doesn't appear that any one ever answered the question, "can the one person meals be prepared freezer bag style."

In other words, can the ingredients be put into one or two freezer bags and add boiling water to complete preparation without any dirty dishes? I love this style of cooking and I have heard good reviews of Packit Gormet products from other sources as well. Has anyone prepared the one person meals using this method?

[Mountain Wildman]

It doesn't appear that any one ever answered the question, "can the one person meals be prepared freezer bag style."

In other words, can the ingredients be put into one or two freezer bags and add boiling water to complete preparation without any dirty dishes? I love this style of cooking and I have heard good reviews of Packit Gormet products from other sources as well. Has anyone prepared the one person meals using this method?

Chif,
Yes they can be prepared in that manner, The various ingredients of the meals come in separate zip top bags and the main/outer bag is a zip top as well, It is heat sealed, I believe, and you tear off the very top of the outer bag and you then have a very thick/heavy duty zip top bag to use for cooking or to hold the packaging from the meal ingredients for disposal. It is thicker than any zip top bag including the freezer zip tops.
However, Since these are usually multi ingredient meals and not the "just add water" type of meal, some of the components may need to be prepared separately and then combined. The meals I've tried were labeled as Partial Cook in bag, The ingredient zip top bags are the standard style and not super thick like the outer bag, I imagine you could do all of the prep in those bags as well but you would have to be more careful with them. The outer bag is pleated on the bottom and will usually stay in a standing position without collapsing, like a regular zip top bag.
Hope this helps, Feel free to post any further questions and I or another member will answer as best as we can. Or you could even contact Packit Gourmet directly, I'm sure they wouldn't mind helping in any way they could.
P.S. I have done some of the meal prep in the bags, I like doing it also because it cuts down on dish washing which I hate!!
I've added some pictures of ingredients that I mixed in the outer and individual bags rather than dirty an additional bowl.
I've also added a picture of the Diner Deluxe Scrambled Eggs with toastees, It is labeled as a 2 person serving and I couldn't even finish it all, The dish is an MSR Large 8 3/4"

[lamarr]

I had the red beans and rice for lunch yesterday. I swear, it was better than any of the mixes available at the grocery store. Just the right amount of spiciness. A sniffle at the end! I still haven't eaten anything from these guys I didn't love.

[ec.hiker]

Looks like alot of trash to pack out!!

[MisplacedMainer]

Looks like alot of trash to pack out!!

Yea it does. However for the quality of food you're getting I think it'd be worth it.

[lamarr]

Looks like alot of trash to pack out!!

The trash is empty plastic bags. Maybe a lot of pieces, but almost no volume or weight. Don't be skeeered!

[lamarr]

I had the cheddar/jack spread for lunch. It would have taken a lot of crackers. I had enough for 2 bagels. A real good sized lunch.

The flavor on this was excellent but (my first but for this company BTW) it didn't prepare as well as it could. The dehydrated cheese didn't absorb the water in preparation, leaving the spread crunchy. Now I would just add the water in the morning and seal the pouch and hike until lunch. This is my idea of a quick and tasty lunch.

All things equal, this product may be a little overpriced. It's dried shredded cheese and a mayo packet. I'll bet I can pack up 2-3 baggies of a knockoff! I'll save my money for more tortilla soup.