My mother's family has a recipe they call Russian Fluff. I always thought it was called rush and fluff but when I made it last weekend I noticed the title on the top of the page... Anyway, it's basically a comfort-food type hamburger, egg noodle, what have you ... casserole. Chili w/ noodles might be a similar example. As leftovers, both freeze well and get better with age.

I guess I could dehydrate most of the ingredients and reconstitute it on a trip. Seems like a lot of work though. My "easy button" question is, what are the chances of dehydrating the concoction as is and not getting disgusted or sickened with a re-hydrated version.

I do have a dehydrator somewhere my mother gave me. Any tips for someone who's never tried mac 'n cheese or hamburger helper?

I've dehydrated homemade chili and it came out fine. I've also tried drying partially cooked pasta to see if it would speed the process in camp.
Found that smaller type pastas, shells/elbow macaroni worked best.

One thing I found out really quick was that you need to re-heat concoction and spread it as thin as possible on the fruit roll up trays you use for sauces etc.
I don't know if there's dairy in your recipe or not.
That might pose some problems but you might avoid them by leaving it out in the initial making and adding in some powdered dairy when your re-hydrate in camp.

Like most dehydrator recipes that you adopt from fresh, you might need to experiment a little ;D

I cook all my meals before dehydrating.  It goes in the dehydrator at the point when it's ready to eat.

While I don't prep meat for tripping, I know those who do and they use the same method.  Make the whole casserole, except the noodles.  Dehydrate.

Things dry out better after they've been cooked.  Cooking breaks down the cell walls, releases water.  It also rehydrates faster/better.

Russian Fluff sounds like Beef Stroganoff?

I have a bit of experience I can finally share.
I make a mean beef stew from scratch. I tried dehydrating it one year just because.  I used the fruit roll-up trays like Solotripper. Dried the solids first, then the liquids. Reconstitution took a quite awhile and I had to guess on the amount of liquid to use. To look at the finished product in the pot, it was ugly & nasty looking, but, tasted great!
Have I tried it again?
No, just haven't taken the time. I will someday, maybe.
I can buy products now that are almost as good and time seams to be at a premium.
So, I say try it, the meal may look ugly but the taste will be as good as, if not better.

You just brought back some memories, and an easy meal!
If my memory serves, dried burger, noodles,   (You need to Login or Register,   (You need to Login or Register, and spice to personal taste, will make it, on the trip.

butthead

PS; Just remembered Mom used rice instead of noodles, either will work for me. bh