Camp Food

RobMcClain · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 7:54 pm Post subject: Camp Food

Today while Mary and I were meandering around a street fair on Treasure Island we came across a vendor selling food for campers/boaters, etc. The vendor is new and called Great Grubb Camp Food (http://greatgrubcampfood.com/). Their stovetop food is designed for car camping, as opposed to long backcountry backpacking treks, so it is not freeze dried. Just add beef or whatever meat to a mix and it is ready to go. I was impressed with their Tamale Pie mix, and even more so with their mix for Chocolate Chip/Apricot Oatmeal Cookies, which could be cooked in an oven OR on a stovetop using a frying pan. Very tasty... They also offer a unique mix for Mayan Hot Chocolate, made with dark cocoa, cinnamon, and a touch of Chile. We had a cold SF Bay wind blowing across us and their sample hit the spot. Very unique and fun. Just want to let folks know this new company exists and their food mixes seem pretty good. Their website link above has more info if interested...

Rob

Larry Patrick · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 3:19 pm Post subject:

Mountain House is surprisingly good ,for light travel. If you never had it I recommend it for camping back packing ect.

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 3:48 pm Post subject:

I have tried various FD camp foods and keep coming back to Mountain House. I have eaten some Mountain House meals well after the expire date, still good for emergency rations.

RobMcClain · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 6:44 pm Post subject:

Nice to see these recommendations. While we love to BBQ onboard - and cook in general - it is nice to have some easy alternatives that also taste good. Since we have little experience with this sort of camp food it's nice to know who the good vendors are! Nothing worse than cooking up something that looks good but tastes awful.

Rob

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:05 pm Post subject:

Since we're branching out a bit, I find that some of the Indian (or other) foods in the foil packs are quite good. I think you may even be able to heat them up in the pack in hot water (I take them out, so I can't remember). Tasty Bites is one brand. They're not camp-specific, so you can find them in regular grocery stores. (They are not light weight since they have the liquid in them already; but they are shelf-stable and ready to eat with just heating.)

Aurelia · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:35 pm Post subject:

We have been eating a fair amount of this on the boat and even at home a couple of times. Really good if you like sea food and mixes well with rice or pasta in many cases. They have them in local grocery stores as well.

http://www.fishpeopleseafood.com/

This is ready to heat and serve and has the water in it already so not great if weight is a factor. It does have about a year of shelf life so we like that part too.

The crab/shrimp bisque and tuna entrees are our favorites so far.

Greg

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:09 pm Post subject:

I had bought a couple of "the fish people" pouches before heading to Powell (along with the Tasty Bites) - they have some great flavor combos, a little different than the usual.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:59 pm Post subject:

On the boat, we have mostly "ingredients," not ready-to-eat stuff! One exception (for me, not Patty) is the Mabo Tofu - you brown some pork sausage, cube some tofu (the kind that comes in a box and has a shelf life of about forever), and add the sauce packet. Quick and easy, I love it. Patty not so much...

Sunbeam · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 9:21 pm Post subject:

I hear you, and I mostly have "ingredients" as well, and make my own food from them. Funny thing is that although I'm not one to cook much ashore (just the necessary basics), I actually enjoy it aboard, and thus do more cooking there than anywhere else. There's something about making a meal at anchor (or underway on bigger boats) that's just really fun. But I like to have a few "easy" pouch or other instant type meals aboard as alternatives or enhanceable bases.

williwaw · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:17 pm Post subject:

Back in my peak bagging days I was a big fan of Mountain House. Pretty good flavor and you cook in the pouch. However, they're often high calorie and contain lots of salt. Good stuff back in the day - not so much now Smile

Now Tasty Bite... that's good stuff!

ssobol · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 7:32 am Post subject:

For camping food you probably want high calorie density, especially if you are hiking and camping. The salt probably doesn't hurt too much if you are hiking in hot weather.

RobMcClain · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:42 am Post subject:

Broadening this thread out a bit more, last year we bought a small 2-person 12v crock pot, the type truckers use. When doing several hours of cruising we can plug it into the outlet and cook dinner while underway. It has worked quite well and allows us to make some very good meals you can't make otherwise. It draws very little current. The top is held on with a strap so it won't bounce off, nor will the contents slop out in waves. We usually set it on the cabin floor while underway (and I've only stepped on it once).

Rob

rogerbum · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:33 pm Post subject:

Larry Patrick · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:37 pm Post subject:

Going to try and find tasty bite here on east coast?

Sunbeam · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:49 pm Post subject: