"Camp Meals"

[Davey_sprockeT]

Thought I would start a discussion on those things called "Camp Meals".

Y'know, that "food" in the bag stuff.

I tried one at the Balladonia camp.......it was disgusting, there's no way that "meat" came from an animal......

Has anyone had a good experience, or can recommend a brand and source that is potentially trustworthy?


A wise man once said.."never eat anything that wasn't once alive"............

[bully1]

Had a Pad Thai a few years ago, seemed alright.

[KoosWA]

That probably wasn't meat Davey......

I can tolerate these meals...if I am hungry enough, have red wine to wash it down with [priority] and a chocalate for dessert, but it does become a harder after a few days.

Backcountry cuisine, the most readily avaialable brand has a good variety. The same couple have [also started a "gourmet" range, bit more expensive, bit more interesting. It comes in a purple / burgundy pack. I have two at home, but haven't tried it yet.

Backcountry Roast Lamb, Veggies & Mash - great
Backcountry Green Curry - great, always good to have quite a lot of spice / flavours with these types of meals
Backcountry Bobotie - awesome. this is a traditional South African Malay dish, spicy curry mince with rice & small amount of raisins. I was very surprised to find this in Aus.

General travellers tip - Tabasco or any other flavourful sauce that pack punch is very handy - small and can mask / overpower some unwanted tastes very well.

[boomer61]

Jerky, bill-tong, tuna, salmon in pouches, Italian sausage, deb potato, surprise peas, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, cos cos, dried fruit, pita bread, vita wheat, rye-vita, all readily available in super market and don't take much to make a meal out of.
Lots more if you go looking and think about how you can cook and combine them.
Some new semi cooked rice ones available now to.

[reklaw]

I recently tried these http://easymeals.net.au/, after buying half a dozen from a special offer.
Not dehydrated, real food, sealed in a foil pouch with a long unrefridgerated shelf life.
Padded out with quick rice they make an acceptable, one pot camp meal.
You can get instant 2 part curry meals from the supermarkets, designed for the micro but easy enough to warm up
in your camp pot, just bin all the excess packing. Half the price of the Back Country type as well.
+1 on the pita bread.

[old betsy]

[quote="Davey_sprockeT"]Thought I would start a discussion on those things called "Camp Meals".

Y'know, that "food" in the bag stuff.

I tried one at the Balladonia camp.......it was disgusting, there's no way that "meat" came from an animal......

quote]
So, you've finally tried one after a couple of years of riding. The one you tried probably after a pie at Balladonia and a tarmac road to the campsite, must have been tough.
Try riding all day off road on nuts and museli bars that " food in the bag stuff" taste petty good. So the 8 days of riding off road, all on that " Food in the bag stuff" should get me thru.
I have no problem with that food. there are some really good meals out there.
the link below is a new one out there that I have had quite a few times and is really good.

http://www.happycampergourmet.com.au

[bully1]

Says the man on the green machine who travelled up the bitumen


nothing like a can of big and chunky chilli with a handful of rice, washed down with 600mls of scotch watered down with 300mls of coke, if you drink this first then you won't care what the food tastes like ( or remember )

[old betsy]

Says the man on the green machine who travelled up the bitumen


nothing like a can of big and chunky chilli with a handful of rice, washed down with 600mls of scotch watered down with 300mls of coke, if you drink this first then you won't care what the food tastes like ( or remember )

Yes that's correct, but we did have 2 bags of that food.

[bully1]

Says the man on the green machine who travelled up the bitumen


nothing like a can of big and chunky chilli with a handful of rice, washed down with 600mls of scotch watered down with 300mls of coke, if you drink this first then you won't care what the food tastes like ( or remember )

Yes that's correct, but we did have 2 bags of that food.

you should have had more scotch

[jls]

I find for over night trips or first nights on extended trips I pack a home made meal frozen packed in a small insulated bag , the meal ,defrosts during the day ,throw a couple of beer,s in .Voila that night nice meal and cold beer

[DirtBoy12]

Good thread Sprocket- having travelled with you I think you can improve from 'canned beans...'.

Anyway my two cents worth - Ainsley Harriott can be found in large super markets, is cheap and tasty. If going for several days - always like fried food and take some felafel mix, and some veggies to add - always goes down well...

Of course fresh ground coffee is a must and I could write a separate post on my brewing methods.

Hydration - in warmer months I wear a backpack style bladder with 2-3 litres & take sports hydration powder.

Stove - again have several - preference is the MSR pocket rocket.

[brian/5]

I saw your attempt at the Balladonia camp

You need to read the instructions and add the correct amount of water, unless you want soup.
The Thai Green Chicken I had was one of the better ones. The meat even needed chewing.

Brian/5

[Davey_sprockeT]

[RobBD]

Of course fresh ground coffee is a must and I could write a separate post on my brewing methods.

Would like to hear what you do with the fresh ground coffee beans - I now leave mine at home and drink black tea because I couldn't create a half decent cup of coffee. Was thinking I would get Bully to make a small expresso machine for me to take
Good thread Davey - I hate the prepared meals but admit to only having tried a couple so maybe not a fair test. I know buying anything thats been alive in the last month is just about impossible away from main towns -I carry a couple of onions to add to whatever I'm cooking - rice is a staple and packet peas. - mushrooms are good in early winter if you know which ones to eat!

[profoundly_disturbed]

[quote="Davey_sprockeT"]Thought I would start a discussion on those things called "Camp Meals".

Y'know, that "food" in the bag stuff.


My food is in the bag - the left hand bag on my bike, plus short-stop snacks in the tank bag.

I don't care what's in there, have been known to gnaw on empty tins.

You're overthinking it, it's not a cordon bleu event - it's the journey and the company that's important.

Just an observation; I don't see too many BMWMCCWA riders looking anorexic, me included.