Camp Food

RobMcClain

RobMcClain

Member
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.)

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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
 
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.
 
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...
 
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.
 
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 :)

Now Tasty Bite... that's good stuff!
 
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.
 
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
 
RobMcClain":333xeurr said:
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
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I have a mini 120V crock pot that I've used off of a cheap, 12V plug in inverter. It's surprising how little draw a crockpot has. My 16oz "little dipper" only draws 35W and is great for a single person serving of soup. I also have a larger one in my office (about 2.5qt) that only draws 125W. That requires a direct connection of the inverter to the battery but it's still easily run on a small and inexpensive inverter. I've used the smaller one to heat soup when trolling on rainy winter days.
 
Larry Patrick":tvgdxt1k said:
Going to try and find tasty bite here on east coast?
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My guess is that you shouldn't have too much trouble. "Fish people" is definitely a PNW thing, but I believe Tasty Bite is more nationwide.
 
Two things:

1. I am not a "foody"
2. I am not a cook.
3. I like to keep things in the "KISS" variety.

SO: I have tried a version of dehydrated, boil water, add and stir, let sit a few minutes and then eat foods that have been "adequate" for my taste, and my wallet. (Mountain Man foods are not something I would use for an extended -1-2 week diet.)

THE: foods are "W" WISE COMPANY and are available at the other WM - WalMart, and are reasonably priced and available in about 6 different meals -- packets with servings for four, about 250 calories per serving and about 45 carbs. Sodiums are on the higher side of average but lower than many prepared foods.

I like them because they are easy, one pot meals. YMMV.

Here is the link to the company website.

http://www.wisefoodstorage.com/

Cheap to try at least.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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I just Discovered that I have Tasty Bite in the pantry, and have been using it for a while. Mine is a lentil mix...I put it on a slice of Dave's Killer Bread and make it into a Sloppy Joe. Hmm mmm good :wink:

I have found them at Safeway and a Costco, and for those locally, Sunny Farms, a local produce, bulk, and healthy food store. Probably at Food co-ops or bulk food stores in your area too.

ALSO, just noticed there are free samples available on the Wise Company web site listed above. BTW, I have not interest in the company, just like the ease of preparation.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Before this thread closes I wanna thank everybody for all the new stuff, thats what makes this site so cool from dehydrated food and just eating out every now and then makes boat travel so enjoyable. In the summer that extra salt in Mountain House isnt so bad just don't eat it every day. Moderation is ok if you dont over do it :wink
 
Jimicliff,

The thread may not show up in the last 24 hours or few days, but it is still available via a search. IZt doesn't just go away.

Another product that used to be available was Royal American Foods, a fast freeze freeze-dried product that was in a foil pack, just ad boiling water, seal and let sit or stir or shake occasionally for about 10 min and you had good, nutritious meals, usually 4 servings per pack. great for camping etc.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon


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