Realistic non-cooler based menu planning

[noahgenda]

This is from backpacking experiences but I have a similiar low-to-no cooler plan.

Lentils and Rice, spice it up with a dried vegetable soup packet (soak in water for ~10 minutes first) and it makes a really great burrito/wrap with some hot sauce.
Dried mashed potatoes always works well to carb up if feeling low
Tuna packets and the like (I like these more than cans as less waste and packs down
Peanut Butter and honey on tortillas (I eat almost everything out of a tortilla)
Seven bean soup mix is readily available in most stores and all it needs is water and some time.

Also if not vegetarian things like a beef boullion cube can really add a nice taste to otherwise bland rice or beans concoctions.

[FIGJAM]

Prison burritos.

1 can refried beans.

1 can roast beef.

1 small can green chillies.

Jalipeno squeeze cheese.

Salsa.

Tortillas.

Put all the canned stuff in a container and mix together.

Put it in the sun.

Roll in tortillas with salsa and cheese.

Makes 4 large burritos.

[theJOYOUS]

Thank you guys!!! This post is really helping my menu planning! I want to save my cooler for fresh ice for cold drinks & little already sliced ready to eat ziplocs of vegetables ~ and although I think there's a stove in my camp, I'm trying to not to have to rely on having to cook anything.. the ideas here are great.

I can see how things might get monotonous but I doubt I'll wanna be slaving away in the kitchen anyways ~ too much to see & do!

Thank you again ~ I'm checking back here often as I put together my shopping list!

[International Incident]

Bumpity bump...
This is a great thread.
Keep the ideas coming people

[clocksnmirrors]

i favor those meals for 1 they sell at walmart for $2.18.

they're called hormel compleats
great variety. perfect portion for the heat.


great stuff

[Milayna]

You know, last year I did a non-cooler based menu and I got really sick of it by the end of the week so this year I have this grand plan for a dry ice cooler. The thing is as the burn gets closer I'm starting to feel like maybe the dry ice just isn't worth the hassle and I should do my non-cooler menu again hahahaha. I guess we'll see how I feel as things get closer.

My favorite non-cooler items: canned ham, canned salmon, Fritos and the little individual cups of queso dip, pringles, cereal and shelf stable milk.

[Elorrum]

Trader Joes has some multigrained pilaf in those foil bags, add a canned kipper snack.
canned mandarin oranges!
Chicken noodle soup.

[unjonharley]

I have been cooking from dry stores for couple of months.. With a pressure cooker for beans,split peas and lentil.. The rest of the foods ,just hot water and simmer..
Will be able to simmer some in a simple sun oven.. Oh! and a lot of spices..

Today, Beans and barley w/tomato,red pepper,curry,ginger,onion,garlic,salt and pepper all from dry stock. Seven cups..

Then veggie soup,, 1/4 cp mixed veggie,1/4cp whole peas, 1/4cp whole corn, 1/4cp chopped carrots, 1/2tsp onion, 1/2tsp garlic, 1/3 cp tomato powder, salt and pepper.. Water, mix other, bring to boil, cover and simmer.. I ate the whole thing

[unjonharley]

Breakfast this morning..

Hash browns, eggs over, pancakes and coffee..

All from dry stock..

The pancake flour I make myself..

Keenwa for flour.. dry butter for grease..dry milk..stevia for sweetener. And more.. Fixed this way so all you add is water. Or use olive oil when mixing..

[swampdog]

I've got a big Coleman Xtreme cooler that keeps things cool for a LONG time. I freeze "suitcase" 2.5 gallon water jugs and use them in the cooler. It doesn't keep things icy cold that way, but they stay reasonably cool. Eat the most risky stuff first, save the hot dogs for last. I've had hot dogs on Thursday that were just fine. I got the cooler at Costco, it was spendy but not insanely so. I think I got the hugest one for under $100 (it's been a few years).

[BBadger]

Isn't this a non-cooler based thread?

[swampdog]

Oops. Responding more to Milayna above who seems to think that it's dry ice or no cooler. There are tons of options. Personally (dragging myself back to the thread) I go with mostly canned or other packaged foods. And bacon. The cooler is mostly for bacon.

[BeeWeeDee]

Before going, cook up chopped bacon until it is crispy and then drain off the fat, it won't need refrigeration and it is good in everything.

[unjonharley]

Before going, cook up chopped bacon until it is crispy and then drain off the fat, it won't need refrigeration and it is good in everything.

I found Jimmy Deans crumbled bacon at WinCo foods.. Tried it.. was pretty good..

[Janet Planet]

Before going, cook up chopped bacon until it is crispy and then drain off the fat, it won't need refrigeration and it is good in everything.

That's a revelation! I bow at your feet.

[Janet Planet]

Canned chicken noodle soup or dry noodle bowls + dehydrated seaweed.
Salty hydrating goodness!

[Mojojita]

Just found shelf stable whipping cream at Trader Joe's!!!!!!! Needs no refrigeration until opened, chill 6 hours in ice before whipping.

My hubby loves it in his coffee.

[C.f.M.]

You can also just buy the non-fridged, pre-cooked bacon. I have to say Tasty Bites are my top non-cooler food. Probably my top food, period...

I remember my first year, I splurged on some fancy baked goods (I'm gluten-free, that shits expensive) and they were moldy. Or they get hard.

Non-cooler includes Tasty Bites (boxes removed pre-playa, to avoid moop), peanut butter packets, trail mixes, dehydrated camp food that just requires boiling water poured into the pouch.

[kax]

Newbie here, just kind of sorting out these last five pages, here is what I plan on bringing:

Drinks
Powdered Gatorade / mixers
Pedialyte (preferably powdered) for hangovers/dehydration
Canned V8 veggie / fruit drink
Non-refrigerated milk (horizon farms?)
*Alcohol: two handles of hard stuff

Canned / Ready to Eat Stuff
*Tasty Bites Indian Food (or anything similar, basically Indian food pouches), get a bunch of these in a variety!
Canned rice
Canned beans
Canned ravioli / similar
Canned peaches / pears
Canned baked beans
Canned Soup
Salmon / tuna pouches

Everything Else
Apples
Bananas
Loaf of bread
Crackers
Shredded wheat cereal
Dried fruit: mangoes / raisins / apricots
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Honey
Fluff
Raisins
Pickles!!

Though I doubt I will eat ALL of this (I am a pretty small eater to begin with) it is good to be prepared and ALSO to gift to a friend in need.

[Charlie Parker]

this plus a half avocado to even out the heat is so tasty!! even some croutons

avocados are great OTP, just make sure to get some that are really green and un-ripe.

Avacados, eh? That gives me an idea! Check out #6 on this list.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/h2/fbsp/grillmates/12-unusual-flavor-combinations-that-will-wake-up-your-taste

A delicious pick-me-up! Plenty of calories and caffeine to keep a burner going!

[FossaFerox]

I lived off of EAS Recovery Protein powder (tons of carbs despite the name) mixed with coconut water (1L in the morning 1L at night), Monster M-80 energy drinks (80% pineapple juice with plenty of caffeine and B vitamins), liquor, acquired bacon, and vitamins. I felt fantastic all week. The protein powder is designed to replenish your body's glycogen stores following an intense workout, which every day on the Playa is, in essence.

[GreyCoyote]

this plus a half avocado to even out the heat is so tasty!! even some croutons

avocados are great OTP, just make sure to get some that are really green and un-ripe.

Avacados, eh? That gives me an idea! Check out #6 on this list.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/h2/fbsp/grillmates/12-unusual-flavor-combinations-that-will-wake-up-your-taste

A delicious pick-me-up! Plenty of calories and caffeine to keep a burner going!

A hot day favorite of mine: a very ripe avocado halved, pit removed, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar and seasoned salt. Eat it with a spoon right out of the skin. Pure bliss! Bacon bits optional.

[FIGJAM]

Anyone heard of this place?

Looks like healthy snacks that would be great on the playa.

https://naturebox.com/browse#category/all-snacks

[Ugly Dougly]

[media]

[FIGJAM]

"Concentrated yeast extract"

Vagimight?

[Captain Goddammit]

I always bring a good stock of non-cooler based menu items. I keep them in the refrigerator.

[chuckularone]

I always bring a good stock of non-cooler based menu items. I keep them in the refrigerator.

HA!

[bedlamdoll]

FIGJAM,

I haven't tried NatureBox (yet), but I have been getting a similar service called Graze, and I'm really liking it, and seriously considering hoarding the last couple of boxes I get before leaving for the Playa. The snacks are tasty and pretty healthy-a lot of the options have a good bit of protein, too, which is great for me since with my super low appetite I have a hard time with that. The main issue I have with Graze is it's all packaged in little plastic things, so that is more garbage to manage. When/ if I give NatureBox a try (probably soon-my partner keeps stealing my snacks out of my graze box), I'll report back with what I think.

[some seeing eye]

We live in a wonderland of food. But we are eating on a desert campground. One solution are cook in pouch foods, don't dirty a pan. You poke the seal, heat in boiling water or in a solar gain situation, open, eat, over something appearing cultured or out of the pouch if ravenous. I've eaten my share of. Here are some favorites. What are yours?

Me: from TJoes - palak paneer. From the place you get your carports - tuna in yellow coconut curry. Plus a few small local to us tuna packers seafare and local harvest, probably interwebs sourced.

Food technology put to use...

And, of course, nothing beats the Tuna Guys and Mamas for fresh off the boat!

[FIGJAM]

My own

spaghetti

chilly

beef stew

enchiladas................