Camping Cuisine: An Introduction to Fresh Cooking in the Backcountry

Backpacking along the Suwanee River, 2015

Close your eyes. Imagine your stereotypical backpacking trip. You've hiked all day. If you're in Florida during the summer, you're bug bitten and hot in the face. You're probably near water and you're probably tired. Meal time. What's for dinner?
If a dehydrated, one-pot meal came to mind, you've probably done this before. Now, what if I told you that we can change that? Imagine instead, same scenario, you come into camp eagerly anticipating from-scratch linguine alfredo carbonara and cocktail hour with sliced salami and location-themed cocktails. All of a sudden, eating dinner goes from a chore to an activity among friends.

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Cooking one of our first Bistec de Palomilla steaks in 2005

We gave up the dehydrated style of backpacking in 2005. I took a backpacking class during my time at UF mostly for kicks but also because I needed a one-credit class to round out my semester enrollment. Every student had to plan a two-night backpacking trek for at least three friends. Additionally, there were three percentage points of extra-credit on the table for the backpacking trip which planned and executed the best menu. Challenge accepted!
By this time, I had been on more backpacking trips than I could count and hiked Philmont Scout Ranch twice (100+ mile treks). Feeling that we should take things up a notch to keep it interesting, we decided to remake one of our favorite meals - Bistec de Palomilla with yellow rice. The recipe, a great first foray into fresh food while backpacking, is at the end of this article.

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To make real food while camping, there are a few things you need to do and know. 

1. Choose and pack your protein carefully; it must be able to safely hold up un-refrigerated.
2. Pack as light as possible. Fresh ingredients are much heavier and bulkier than dehydrated beef stroganoff and a bottle of tums.
3. Know your route. Backpacking in with fresh food usually means you'll carry less water to make up for the extra weight; you'll need access to water to stay hydrated.
4. Try the recipe at home first. Practice making the recipe on only your camping gear and with only the spices and tools you'll carry with you. 
5. Know your party's food allergies and dislikes. Hungry campers are cranky at best, weak, famished, and unsafe at worst.

Carnevale's Backcountry Bistec de Palomilla

Ingredients: (serves four)

• Thin-cut sirloin steak or similar cut, enough for four people
  
• White onion, one medium sized
• Cilantro, one bunch
• Persian limes, 2-6 depending on your groups' tastes
• White vinegar, at least 1/2 cup
• Pre-seasoned yellow rice package (we use the Publix brand; it's reliable and delicious)
• Gallon sized zip-top bags

Recipe:

1. Finely chop the cilantro leaves and white onion. Cut limes for squeezing.
2. Cover steaks with chopped onion and cilantro and roll almost tightly, individually. Place the steak roll-ups in a gallon sized bag.
3. Squeeze limes and pour equal parts lime juice and white vinegar over steaks. You'll want enough liquid to almost cover the steaks and toppings. 
4. Seal zip top bags, removing all air possible, and then double bag. Place bag in freezer at least 24 hours prior to leaving on your camping trip. 
5. Prepare yellow rice as package instructs, or prepare your own recipe from scratch. Place four servings of rice in a gallon zip-top bag and freeze.  
6. Make the rice when you get to camp; it tastes better fresh. Remember to take a pot big enough for cooking rice and a stove that can simmer. We use the MSR dragonfly backpacking stove and adore it's ability to simmer OR sear. 
   ALTERNATIVE: Prepare yellow rice as package instructs, or prepare your own recipe from scratch. Place four servings of rice in a gallon zip-top bag and freeze. 
   
   

Before leaving on your trip, place all ingredients in an insulated lunch bag or small soft cooler. The steaks will stay frozen most of the next day, even in the dead heat of summer in Florida, if packed well in your backpack. 

When you get to camp, fire up your camp stove or a campfire to cook your rice and then, 'cook' the steaks. Remember, the meat is cooked already, all you have to do is heat it up! You'll want to cook each steak for a few minutes over high heat; until it is texturally like a steak cooked to medium. Try not to overcook it, err on the side of medium-rare as opposed to medium-well; these acid-soaked thin sirloins will turn to shoe leather if over-done! When the steaks are done, remove them and throw your probably thawed yellow rice in the pan with the steak juices. Heat until warm throughout and dish out to your hungry campers!

Keeping the meat safe, while un-refrigerated, is a top priority but always a gamble. This recipe keeps the meat as cold as possible for as long as possible and as a contingency plan, soaks the meat in a high-acid environment. This high-acid environment essentially "cooks" the meat while providing inhospitable conditions for food-borne pathogens; the same process which is at work in any ceviche dish. 

Enjoying a packs-off break at Philmont in 2006.

Pro-tip: Bring a nalgene with a red table wine or sangria. This is an especially nice touch if you're taking someone new to backpacking with you! Their sore muscles and tired backs will love some wine with dinner. 

We hope you enjoy this dish. It's a great introduction to the possibilities of real meals while backpacking! Should you try it, leave me a note and let me know how it worked out for you. 

Please note: We are not trained chefs or medical professionals. We are not responsible for any illness or other unfortunate event that may occur if you choose to make this meal on a backpacking, or other camping, trip. We have made this meal several times with no ill effect and are sharing our recipe to enrich others' experiences. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. My blog post, comments, and responses are never intended as medical advice. 
Our MSR Dragonfly stove was purchased over ten years ago with no compensation for my opinion. However, in the interest of full disclosure, I may earn a small commission if you purchase items through the link provided here. There is no increase in cost, to you or anyone else, associated with these links.