Reddit mentions of Backpack Gourmet: Good Hot Grub You Can Make at Home, Dehydrate, and Pack for Quick, Easy, and Healthy Eating on the Trail

Yes, it's easy! Just got back from a two week canoe trip, most of my meals were dehydrated at home.

Start with something really easy, like Lentil Dip which is great on crackers/pita for lunch.


Some of my favorites are Hungry Hammock Hanger recipes:

Aztec Chicken Stew (note: I pressure cook the chicken separately, then shred it using forks and toss it in to the stew towards the end of cooking, this helps with the rehydration process)

and

Chili-Mac (note: I can never find Mole sauce where I live, so I just throw in a couple of tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder instead)

and

Creamy Tuna Salad, it's great for lunches.

I have also made some things from Linda Frederick Yaffe's excellent book Backpack Gourmet, favorites being "Saucy Tuna" and "Hash Browns with Eggs and Sausage".

As for packaging, it depends on how long I'm going to store the food. If it's for an upcoming trip I just use ziploc freezer bags (doubled). For longer term storage I vacuum seal the meals in foodsaver bags.

I haven't tried the boiling water/ziplock technique. My method is to dump the dried food in the pot, add enough water to cover the food, bring it to a boil on the stove, then put it in a pot cozy for 20 minutes. It always turns out great.

I always add a shot of olive oil to the dehydrated meals since they're very lean.

edit: also check out /r/trailmeals for more ideas.

We have this book about dehydrating food and it is amazing! http://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Gourmet-Dehydrate-Healthy-Eating/dp/0811726347/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Oh I wish I had more upvotes to give. Get at least a five tray model, and get yourself some books [1] [2] and start cooking. What I do is double the recipe, have some for dinner, and then dehydrate the rest. I still have some year old meals that are still delicious once you rehydrate them.

Just expanding on Arvald's comment concerning backpacking:

If you're thinking of doing this (I think it's a very good idea. Nothing, to me, feels more spiritual, serene, or rewarding as traveling through nature. Of course, when I say "nature", I mean geographical areas that are not occupied by humans.), then I can recommend some literature to you. As an Eagle Scout, I've done my fair share of camping/hiking/trailing. I don't think it's wise to go camping by oneself the first time; but, since this is an adventure, you should say "fuck it" to wisdom.

Here are some books that come to mind:

http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Guide-Hiking-Backpacking-Cordes/dp/0963302477/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322794140&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Camping-Wilderness-Survival-Ultimate-Outdoors/dp/0974082023/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322794186&sr=1-7

http://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Gourmet-Dehydrate-Healthy-Eating/dp/0811726347/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322794215&sr=1-1-spell