Camp cuisine

On a long hike or overnight camp trip, planning meals can be a tough task. You have to take into consideration the weight of the food, the weight of the fuel, the weight of the burner or stove -- and then worry about taste and nutrition.

Freeze-dried foods are popular choices because they greatly reduce the weight of your pack, and on longer trips, the extra space saved is vitally important. There are a number of manufacturers of freeze-dried and dehydrated foods, with menu options almost limitless. From Thai shrimp with peanut sauce to the old reliable, chili mac and cheese, science has allowed backpackers and campers to enjoy the culinary comforts of home no matter where their adventures take them.

One of the largest makers of freeze-dried foods is Mountain House, which boasts that is the best-tasting (see related story). According to the company's Web site, the secret is that Mountain House is freeze-dried rather than dehydrated.

"Freeze drying is a low pressure, low temperature process. During this process, called sublimation, the product remains frozen while the moisture goes directly from a solid phase to a vapor phase without passing through the liquid phase. Freeze drying maintains the products' original appearance, texture and nutrition, as the original product," the Web site reads. "Freeze-drying provides very unique benefits and advantages over other food processing methods. Frozen foods maintain fresh flavor, but they must be kept frozen. Dehydrated and canned foods are shelf-stable, but their high-temperature processing reduces their flavor, texture, color, and nutrients. Freeze-drying combines the best of these processing methods to lock in the freshness, color, texture, and aroma of frozen food while providing the shelf-stable convenience of canned or dehydrated food."

Many of the packaged camping foods are freeze-dried rather than dehydrated, although some companies still use the dehydration method.

When space and weight isn't an issue, regular foods from home are fine choices. But when longer trips require for more "tighter" packing, the prepackaged foods are a good alternative.

Nutritionally, many of the freeze-dried and dehydrated foods have the adventurer in mind. Some of the meals, such as Mountain House's Rice and Chicken, have up to 500 calories per serving. Others, such as Mountain House's Hearty Beef Stew, have around 200 calories per serving. Most meals vary between six and 10 grams of fat.

Economically, the meals are just as affordable as buying groceries for a shorter trip, if not cheaper. Prices average about $6 for a two-person package.

S'Mores, lasagna score high on taste tests

By CASEY RESSLER-Valley Life editor

The idea of packing light and saving space is the reason people choose freeze-dried meals -- but what about the taste?

We put five manufacturers to the test -- a taste test featuring four meat-and-potatoes outdoorsmen and the author's mother, whose disdain for any food prepackaged is well documented. The reviewers were Nathan Rehak, Matt Rehak, Travis Clark, Jaden Alvstad and Linda Ressler. Their findings are interesting -- one manufacturer has the lowest-rated dish, and also the highest-rated dish.

Seven dishes were tested, ranging from shrimp to chicken entrees, side dishes and even dessert. Entrees are for two people. Prices quoted are from REI, where the meals were bought.

Here are the results:

Mountain House Lasagna

With Meat Sauce

Notes: With a fold-out pouch and a built in zipper, preparation is a cinch.

Price: $6

Average stars (out of five): 3.6

Comments: "Great taste. All that was missing was the garlic bread." "Was good but the meat and noodles were chewy."

Natural High Thai Shrimp

With Peanut Sauce

Notes: Should let sit longer than recommended time for shrimp to rehydrate.

Price: $6.75

Average stars: 1.8

Comments: "Shrimp are like rubber. Too spicy and leaves a bad aftertaste." "Not too bad, but not my first choice for a warm meal."

Natural High Teriyaki Chicken

With Long Grain Rice

Price: $6.75

Average stars: 3.2

Comments: "Not enough Teriyaki." "Good flavor and texture. A filling meal."

Mary Jane's Farm

Sweet Red Bell Pepper Pasta

Notes: Eco-friendly paper pouch can be burned when done. A vegetarian selection.

Price: $5.30

Average stars: 2.2

Comments: "I'll pass on this one around the campfire." "I like things without meat -- good."

Alpine Aire

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Notes: Like Mountain House brand, this package has a built-in zipper and fold-out pouch to help in preparation. Also, this side dish was instant -- add boiling water, mix and you have your meal, instead of waiting 10 minutes.

Price: $2 (side dish)

Average stars: 3.8

Comments: "Good flavor. Taste like real mashed potatoes." "Best of show!"

Backpacker's Pantry Potatoes With Gravy and Beef

Price: $3.50 (side dish)

Average stars: 1.6

Comments: "Bad curb appeal. Too bland, and needs a lot of salt and pepper." "Looks gross, tastes gross and the beef is like rubber."

Backpacker's Pantry S'Mores

Notes: This dessert requires cold water -- so no stove is needed. Also has graham cracker topping.

Price: $2.50

Average stars: 4.8

Comments: "Tastes great." "Yum yum." "Really good."