I seem to be in a rut and my imagination is running low.  I'm looking for alternatives to my lunch menu.  I'll typically not stop to cook a hot/shore lunch because, as often as not, I'm either on the move or intent on fishing.  Here is my "standard" list of lunch options:

jerky (my preference is turkey)
chicken salad
peanut butter (w/ & w/o jelly)
gorp or mixed nuts
hummus
summer sausage
powerbar

served on/with some combination of:
crackers
pita bread
tortillas
"shoestring" potatoes

which are sometimes accompanied by:
dried fruit
candy bar
cookies

Do you have any favorite lunch items that you find particularly enjoyable?  Or just some other suggestion that takes minimal/no prep but is still satisfying/tasty?

THX.

dd

"wet" or shore lunches

Yeasted Trail bread from the night before-the outback's pan and a zip lock to house and keep the pack crumb free-make sure to cure the loaf after backing so it doesn't sweat in bag)

Rye Crisp

Danish rye

Bagels-gsi has boxes that I use for the last few-as they would never survive my packing style.

Butter-doing herbed this year with thyme, rosemary and lavender

Mackenthun's garlic summer sausage-they make excellent jerky in many varieties too

Bongard's extra sharp cheddar

Peanut butter (oil drained off)

Matt Food ( a mix of peanut butter, rolled oats, dried milk, honey, and a bit of salt-think middle of a peanut butter cup and lasts forever-very good fuel and you will have clean fingers if it is made right)

cream cheese- the des(s)ert taught just how long this stuff will last-the sniff test!

hummus

olives

jelly-for the boy, sometimes for me with cream cheese

Nuts-walnuts, almonds, pepitos(pumpkin seeds), sunflower seeds, pecans and the like

Home dried apples

craisens*

dried pineapple*

dried mango-costco's is bomber...island direct*-vit. C is a catalyst for the Krebb's yah

dried banana-the real fuel

Sour gummys-*

Power Bars

Cliff Bars

Homemade bars-receipe in process

dark chocolate

Power Aid ( any one have a source now-I am having a hard time finding it in the old powdered form), crystal light, Propel when we fancy

Hot tea/ coffee (trail mocha?) when we fancy

Puckster wrote on May 3^rd, 2010 at 2:06am:

OK.  For hard candy I already take Wurthers and lemon drops.  However, these go more in the category of "quick hit" items since they are packed in a small zip lock bag (real small ... like 1 1/2 X 3 inches) and put either in a fanny pack or pocket.

Crystal Lite ... Lemon and/or Lemon/Lime for lunch in the hydration version if I can find them.  (Classic Orange is a breakfast item.)

Tuna?  I've thought about it, but don't want to detract from the other fish I catch.  Do you use a pouch or dehydrate?

Marlin-

Sounds like a more repleat version of my list, with a few exceptions.  Thx.


mastertangler wrote on May 2^nd, 2010 at 11:57am:

Did you give up on backpacking already?  My target was originally to still be backpacking at age 60 ... well I made that.  I've even got a short trip planned for this summer (Colorado ... that's spelled UPHILL!).

I often find that cereal-like products with milk leave me feeling hungry relatively soon after consumption, unlike breakfast items like oatmeal.  Do you find the Mountain House stays with you for a while?

dd

I hear you DD

In the same spot, yearning for the switch up within the same time constraints.

Reference "A Fork in the Trail" by Laurie Ann Marsh, Wilderness Press, copyright 2008 1st edition.

Looks a little gourmet even for me, but the new is needed, right.

Also at the Far North Symposium here in the cities this past March, in one of the presentations they spoke of their enjoyment of KALE for its "green" value and longevity on trail. Salads on trail and the most of the makings are in the kit already...maybe all you need is a little nalgene w/ balsamic vinegar Spam cob kale salad, say that fast with a mouthful-your solo its OK no one is lookin'.  Maybe even some wasabi for that unlucky Laker in the rolls. Dont forget the picked ginger and V-packed shrimp, haven't done this but always wanted to. How about fish taco wraps with leftovers from the morning or via V-packs Salsa dehydrates nice-or the fast food minis give the spice. Tabouli has worked for me too, actually it is kind nice specially with that leftover lime from the gin night before, bring the rind home it takes a along time to decompose-I know that is not an issue for you DD. Pack in pack it out

BLT's with the L replaced with K? The wich possibilities are infinite, just create

The same goes for the myriad of possibilities in the "bar" department, and adventure all in one-surely you could find something new here-a possible new mystery everyday of the trip to knaw on all in tidy packets to boot

Goji berries...I think they suck, but they might work for you Actually I think they really suck! But I wouldn't want to rudder yah.

Also did a lot of Bannock variations years ago-the one hand lunch-Trash Bannock has many variations and you have the Outback, the night before...the morning of. Retro a smaller pan for the Outback if portion size and left overs are a concern due to spoilage in the solo gig. Still working on this one...?

Is Power Aid powdered form still available? I am also still looking for a local source for the tidy V-pack shelf stable smoked salmon that I found in Vegas when I was on the epic this past winter is was great with cream cheese and Danish mini rye with a sprinkle of chive...? Peanut butter fresh apple honey pitas....Damn now I am hungry!

Hope this helps....here is to the balancing of goals, expectations, and gluttony.

Andy....you may want to consider the Outback Oven instead and solid simmering stove is mandated....read threads on that critter. The box has worked fine too. I have also used a large screw top nalgene jar to house bagels, they have to be cram fix however, not a big or destructive deal. Now I mostly just make the bread on trail in the outback, more possibilities and variation and then there is the cake, pizza, baked fish, and cornbread-the multi use factor.

To cure your storage query here is a link...
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Marlin - you are welcome on my trip anytime.  I would love to see the culinary vision in action!

We take most of what's been suggested.  However, I'd add the following for variety:

Fresh fruit - An apple or orange should last at least a couple days.
Nutella instead of peanut butter - when you've scaped out most of the jar, pour a cup of joe in there for a sweet treat.
Naan (Indian flat bread), goes well with the Nutella.
Trail mix - we make ours with M&Ms, cashews, peanuts and dried fruit It usually makes up 1/2 of most lunches.
Crackers - we've been digging the individual packages of crackers like you get out of vending machines. There's a decent variety besides just orange crackers with peanut butter.
Shelf-stable fruit cups.
Cheese - a medium or sharp cheddar in the wrapper won't go bad in 4-5 days, unless you leave it out in the sun.

We also take granola bars, NutriGrain Bars, or Powerbars for snacks between the 3 regular meals.  I usually hand them out after breakfast and each person is responsible for his/her bar.  It's really good for keeping us going and often allows us to push a little harder.  On most days we may delay lunch an hour or 2 and get to our night's camp for lunch.  

jjcanoeguide wrote on May 3^rd, 2010 at 9:47pm:


I bag 1/3 or 1/2 cup portions of trail mix, per person per day.  Each day everyone gets their bag and can eat it whenever they feel the urge.  I started doing this when my kids were young so they wouldn't gorge on trail mix for the first 2 days, then complain about not having any for the rest of the trip.

I continue to pack it this way, long after the kids have grown, for 3 reasons: 1) like before, it ensures we have it throughout the trip, 2) it's my routine, and 3) it's more hygienic, avoiding multiple hands dipping into one bag.   

prouboy

Puckster wrote on May 4^th, 2010 at 1:05am:


separate bags, I like that idea, I think I'll start doing that...except I still gorge on trail mix, 1/2 a cup?more like 1 - 2 cups per day for us. I think that it contributes 1/2 the weight to the food pack. We make our own trail mix so we get pretty creative. Nuts of course, raisons, craisons, huge varied of dried fruits, cereal, anything I can find that looks appealing...might even throw in a chunk or two of dry dog food just for a sick joke.

When I first saw the price, 2 Gal canister for $24.00, I said no way am I paying $3 per quart for Powerade.  Then after clicking the link I see it's eight 2 Gallon canisters, not one.  That's more like it.

FWIW, though, there was the following little caveat:

The purchase and use of POWERADE Powder and all other POWERADE materials from this site for residential or home use is prohibited.

I don't know how aggressively they enforce this...possibly not at all...but I figured I'd share it FWIW.

I like to do a lunch of honey on bagels.
Also, if you're looing at tuna there's a couple other similar bagged fish. They're all good on crackers.
Can also get a supper small thing of mayo and a bag of chicken and have that on a bagel. Get the onion bagels and it adds a little extra flavor.
The majority of my travel lunches have something to do with a bagel because they can actually fill you and the cram good in the small pack I keep all the day use stuff in.

Some of our favorite lunches:

Bagel crackers, sliced pears, blue cheese.

Ultimate PB + J:
Sandwiched between either pita (or other hearty bread) or graham cracker.  Mix the first three ingredients ahead of time in a waterproof container for easier lunch prep.
-cashews
-peanut butter
-jam
-craisins or dried blueberries
-sliced strawberries

Smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers on bagel crackers.

Fruit cups, like applesauce are easy to have on hand as well.

Try the bleu from the Faribault Caves!

They will be on the keel line of the canoe, hopefully a Seliga