Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Campstove Pizza

(serves 2)

you really can make pizza in the backcountry instead of waiting for your return to civilization

Pizza dough:
1 tsp. dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup flour

Pizza Sauce:
2 Tbs. tomato base
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbs. water

Toppings:
1/2 thinly sliced cheese
dehydrated mushrooms and/or peppers
salami, summer sausage, or bacon bits
get creative, you can put whatever you like on pizza
(cashews and olives are one of my favorite combos)

To make the dough:
*combine the yeast, sugar and water until disolved
*add to the salt and flour in a plastic bag and mix until dough forms a moist but not sticky ball
*set aside and allow to rise (ideally 30 minutes) while you enjoy some of the cheese that you are thinly slicing ;)
*combine the ingredients for the sauce and stir well
*to roll out the dough, use the bottom side of the frybake as a table, and your water bottle as a rolling pin (make sure they are clean first)
*oil the inside of the frybake and sprinkle a little cornmeal on the surface before spreading the dough into the pan and slightly up the edges
*spread the sauce onto the crust and sprinkle on cheese and toppings
*cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted
*the secret to good campstove baking is rotating the pan in such a way that it is rarely centered over the flame*

Approximate nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 750
Carbs (g): 75
Protein (g): 40
Fat (g): 35
Fiber (g): 7

Breakfast Couscous

(serves 2)

Something easy when you need a break from oatmeal.

couscous
*1 cup couscous (I really like the whole wheat variety)
*1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 Tbs butter

*divide couscous into two bowls
*add half the bowling water and butter to each of the two bowls
*stir couscous and cover for 5 minutes
*remove cover and fluff the couscous before adding your choice of toppings. I've include some ideas below, but really the possibilities are endless

toppings
cheese and bacon bits
brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins
trail mix and butter
peanut butter and banana chips

Friday, August 20, 2010

Kickin' Mac n' Cheese

(serves 4)
So good, you might make it at home.

2 cups twirly pasta
1 cup diced pepper jack cheese
4 Tbs butter
2 Tbs flour
4 Tbs powdered milk
1/4 cup dried sun dried tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste

*bring 4 cups of water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente ~ 10 minutes
*while pasta is cooking rehydrate the sun dried tomatoes in a little bit of the pasta water
*add 1/4 cup water to the powdered milk
*when the pasta is done cooking remove from heat and stain the water (you can save it in a thermos for Hot Drinks or soup)
*melt the butter in the frybake over medium heat and slowly add the flour, stirring continuosly, add the milk to make a roux (tell your friends this is what you are doing and they will be really impressed)
*after the milk mixture has a chance to get warm slowly add the cheese allowing it to melt while stirring vigourously
*once all the cheese has been added, throw the pasta and sun dried tomatoes in and mix to combine the cheesey goodness
*cover and cook for two more minutes

Approximate nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 475
Carb (g): 50
Protein (g):15
Fat (g): 25
Fiber (g):2

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Sierra Iced Tea

(serves 1)

Great for spring and fall in the Sierras, when the days are sunny and warm and the nights are pretty chilly.

1 liter boiling water
2 tea bags with strings detached
2 tsp honey (optional)

*add tea bags to Hot Water in nalgene bottle at night before bed
*make sure the cap is closed tightly
*snuggle with you nalgene for added warmth in your sleeping bag
*on the trial the next morning you have a refreshing treat to wet your whistle!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes

(serves 4)

This is a warm and cozy breakfast for mornings when you have a little time to spend basking in breakfast mode.


For Pancakes:
2 cups pancake mix
1/2 cup instant oatmeal
1/4 cup chopped dried apples
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
water

For Brown Sugar Syrup:
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla


*reconstitute dried apples by soaking in 1/2 cup hot water for 10 minutes
*combine dry ingredients in a plastic bag and add enough COLD water to make the mixture a pourable consistency
*add the apples and mix well
*lightly grease frybake and heat until water droplets sizzle on the surface
*pour batter onto pan and cook over medium heat until bubbles form on top surface
*flip and cook other side
*while pancakes are cooking combine ingredients for syrup
*serve with butter and brown sugar syrup

Approximate nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 400
Carb (g): 50
Protein (g):10
Fat (g):