656156 Wed Sep 30 16:25:33 -0700 2009 11 31 Home Cooking 0 5070649 Thinking about making my own backpacking dinner for a change (instead of dehydrated vacuum packs from REI), and am wondering how well various cured meats will keep out on the trail. It's fall in the Northwest, so we're looking at highs in the 50s and lows in 30s. Maybe something with bulgur (since it doesn't take much fuel to cook), dried porcini, a bouillon cube (would never use one at home, but gotta watch that pack weight), and some nice slices of Spanish chorizo. Wed Sep 30 16:25:33 -0700 2009 276157 eight_inch_pestle 1 5070718 it is tradition that we always have salami backpacking. it is great to knaw on when we're super hungry... it will keep rather nicely. I recommend slicing them prior, cutting hard meats on the trail with a tiny pocket knife is a pain (baring from potential knife wounds). we've done a fatty chinese sausage, packets of hot sauce&soy, heart of a leek, dried shitake slices, minute rice/couscous. it makes a nice and rather quick meal. the meat itself would keep well and would be super tasty =) another is capellini with sardines, bread crumbs, add dried herbs, cheese, capers, salt and pepper in a film canister. a bastardized version of this http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spaghetti-with-Sardines-Dill-and-Fried-Capers-352792 Wed Sep 30 16:50:34 -0700 2009 5070649 133265 jeniyo 1 5071146 Harder dry Spanish chorizo should keep fine, particularly if they are sold without refrigeration. They may specify 'refrigerate after opening', but I think that can be ignored in your situation. I have a couple of such chorizos from 'Costplus world market'. Same would go for a salami. Another sausage that is known for keeping is landieger. But I'd keep them as whole as possible till use. On a recent 2 week trip in Canada (car camping) I use choizo a number of times to flavor dishes, especially 'migas' - fried breadcrumbs that I made for breakfast (and served with scrambled eggs). Trader Joes (and other places) is selling liquid bouillon base in single serving tubes. Wed Sep 30 20:24:13 -0700 2009 5070649 12139 paulj 2 5073193 Thanks to you both! Thu Oct 01 15:45:30 -0700 2009 5071146 276157 eight_inch_pestle 1 5073196 Highs in the 50s will be no problem at all. Thu Oct 01 15:48:32 -0700 2009 5070649 74905 jaykayen 1 5073217 What about couscous? Pour on some hot water, let it sit for a bit, then fluff. Add some dried cranberries, almonds, raisins, whatever. Might make a change from bulgur. As to the cured meats, I'd probably ask the shop you're buying from. If it was up to me, I'd stick with the items that are already sitting out of the refrigerator. Thu Oct 01 15:58:44 -0700 2009 5070649 19782 Full tummy 2 5073990 American country ham -- the dry cured variety. Sliced and vacuum packed, it is displayed in grocery stores here in the South out in the open. Almost no waste, and you just have to sear it. --Rich Fri Oct 02 02:58:07 -0700 2009 5073217 1098779 carbonaraboy 2 5075699 @Full tummy: Thanks for the rec. Had been thinking about couscous as well, I just like bulgur's nutritional profile a little more for camping. But you're absolutely right, couscous would make a great change-of-pace. Fri Oct 02 19:42:37 -0700 2009 5073217 276157 eight_inch_pestle 3 5075800 Some years ago a long distance backpacking guru was claiming corn pasta was the best food - and lots of hikers were trying to trade or give away their unwanted surplus. On longer trips you have to be ware of monotony, especially when it comes to the starch. Fri Oct 02 21:00:44 -0700 2009 5075699 12139 paulj 3 5089823 Try out some whole wheat pasta to increase nutrition. Thu Oct 08 18:19:28 -0700 2009 5075699 63260 eamcd 4 5089870 I think that over the length of a typical backpacking trip, the extra nutrition in whole wheat pasta makes little difference. If you like this pasta, then use it. But a backpacking trip is not the time to try something new. If you don't like it, or it takes too long to cook, you don't have something to fall back on. Thu Oct 08 18:49:08 -0700 2009 5089823 12139 paulj 1 5086870 I've heard that cacciatore dry salami is a good cured meat to bring along on camping or hiking trips. I've tried Volpi's Cacciatore salami (http://www.volpifoods.com/products/un-mondo/un-mondo/) and it has a nice flavor. Not sure who else sells it. I second jeniyo's recommendation on slicing them in advance - good tip! Wed Oct 07 16:51:09 -0700 2009 5070649 1109636 FoodieMeg