Are you "Pantry Ready" to go hiking?

[WingedMonkey]

Do you have enough staples on hand to go hiking for 7-10 days without hitting the store/going shopping?

It's finally hiking season here in Florida.

I'm sitting here with the unfolded futon covered in food supplies while I try and figure out menus, for 7-10 days (don't even know where yet).

I have more than enough on hand. Between my "hike" food boxes my "hurricane" supplies and my kitchen I could go now without hitting the store.

All the hike standards, Knorr dinners, pancake mix, cornbread mix, stuffing mix, fig newtons, peanut butter, Nido, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, oatmeal, grape nuts cereal, instant breakfast, cocoa mix, drink mixes, granola bars, Triscuits, prunes, dates, apricots, GORP ingredients. Even a few blocks of ramen (not a big fan). And I'm sure more I can't see in the pile.

Slowing down my menu decisions are a dozen dehydrated fruits and vegetables from the garden I want to use.

Throw in the dehydrated cooked rice, beans, spaghetti, and canned turkey.

Spam, chicken, tuna, corned beef, and hamburger all in retorts. Even some mackerel fillet in a pouch.

Before I go out the door grab the olive oil, Parkay, cheddar cheese, jelly, honey. And EGGS.


I think it was easier when I did my shopping at the last minute rather than out of my own supplies. Too much to think about, too many choices.

[FarmerChef]

I'm doing the same thing right now. As always I went out and bought some stuff before I checked the pantry. Oops. That's okay. I needed two extra Sam's size boxes of granola bars....riiiight.

Honestly, though, the only thing I really needed that I was out of was beef bouillon. Technically I don't need it but it makes rehydrated beef taste, well, much more beefy. I also learned that applying seasonings while browning the beef makes it taste better even after rinsing before dehydrating. Worcestershire really lasts. Oh and taco seasoning on turkey works great since you don't have to rinse the turkey.

Yeah, everything else we already had. Going out for 9 days next week. Hope the weather is good (fingers crossed)...

[Old Hiker]

................................

I think it was easier when I did my shopping at the last minute rather than out of my own supplies. Too much to think about, too many choices.

I dunno. Something about the 3 shelves in my pantry vs 45 feet of Publix kinda slows me down ! Plus, anything in my pantry I know I've tried before and like. Looking in a store, I always find something that I haven't tried yet and want to. Out on a hike is NOT the place to be trying new things.

[WingedMonkey]

[QUOTE=FarmerChef;1819137Honestly, though, the only thing I really needed that I was out of was beef bouillon. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for reminding me, grabbed the Lipton creme of chicken cup of soup out of the kitchen to reconstitute the dehydrated turkey.

[WingedMonkey]

I had no idea I had dehydrated so many things this summer out of my gardens.

Carambola stars carambola leather, bananas (I have the banana pudding to go with), mango, pinaapple, three kinds of greens, okra, peppers... sweet and jalapeno, green and red tomatoes.

[FarmerChef]

Oh yeah! I dehydrated a ton of peppers (red, yellow and green) enough to supply meals for the rest of the AT! Guess I'll make some soup this winter. I also dehydrated a ton of beef, easily enough for 2 or 3 weeks of meals. That and about 1 or 2 more weeks of Turkey (after I finished packing for this trip). Found 2.5 gallons of gorp we hadn't eaten (that was in the freezer). We'll eat that up this coming week. Also found 10 packs of Rice and Pasta sides after they had them on sale for $10 for 10. I see that every week so now I need to wait for $10 for 20! Who knows?

What I really like to stock up on is pudding. When that goes on sale for $.50 a box I fill my shopping cart. That's the easiest, most versatile, tastiest, (insert superlative) trail dessert I know. Saw your banana pudding reference, WM, and it reminded me. Yum!! Those bananas also go well with grits and dehydrated honey, btw. Totally yummy.

[WingedMonkey]

Damn now I got to measure out the grits to go with my fried eggs.

Ain't putting to banana in my grits.....graves would open.

[WingedMonkey]

Oh yeah might as well add a snack bag of vanilla wafers for the banana pudding.

Not feeding a hoard like yours.

[MDSection12]

I'm finally getting through the stuff I dehydrated this time last year. I'm looking forward to building my stock back up with new recipes.

[FarmerChef]

My problem is I have way too much dehydrating capacity and a problem with saying "no."

[The Old Boot]

I could do the 7 to 10 days without batting an eyelash....well all except for gorp! Somehow or other that stuff never, ever stays in stock around here. I always make my own up in individual daily portions and the leftover ingredients go back in the cupboard. Next time I look, darn if I don't have to make another trip to the bulk food store....not sure how that happens...rofl.

[MDSection12]

Hmmmmm, some leftover chili in the fridge...

[Biggie Master]

+1 on the pudding...

[WingedMonkey]

Out on a hike is NOT the place to be trying new things.

Ain't it the truth.

Also not the place to find out what is stale.

[Wise Old Owl]

Winged Monkey - what do you do with the corn bread mix?

[WingedMonkey]

Winged Monkey - what do you do with the corn bread mix?

Fry it like pancakes, usually when I fix beans and rice.

[MuddyWaters]

Sometimes.
I always buy way too much food, some comes in bulk packaging, etc.
So I generally have a box of extra food in the closet. Especially snacks, candybars, trail mix, cookies, etc.
Always have a few pasta sides and mountain house as well.

How long it all lasts, depends on how well my wife is keeping the kitchen cabinet stocked with alternatives. If shes busy at work and lets the shopping slide a few nights, my son and I both raid the hiking food for snacks. Weve even had to resort to mountain house before.

Its not my job to shop, OK.

[10-K]

Winged Monkey - what do you do with the corn bread mix?

I was scrolling down to ask the same question!

WM, how do you prep it for frying? Just add water and mix (stir) the contents of the package?

[HikerMom58]

I was scrolling down to ask the same question!

WM, how do you prep it for frying? Just add water and mix (stir) the contents of the package?

Yes, this question ^^ he said he packs EGGS too. I don't carry anything that I could use for frying.....

[MDSection12]

Yes, this question ^^ he said he packs EGGS too. I don't carry anything that I could use for frying.....

I've read that a primitive form of cornbread can be made on hot rocks... But haven't tried it yet, plan to soon.