The spice rack
Having spices and condiments at your disposal can make the difference between an okay and a great meal. Empty film canisters are great for storing your spices and condiments; they are easy to transport, and keep your supplies dry. Make up your own spice rack of favourite ingredients and keep it in your food bag so you will always have it near; remember to label the canisters so you'll know what they contain. Your "take along spice rack" can be very basic, consisting only of those spices and condiments you may want to enhance your meals.
Here are a few to consider including:
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sugar
• Garlic powder
• Dill
• Oregano
• Basil
• Curry powder
• Cumin
The food bag
The food bag is multipurpose. It's where you should store all items necessary for preparing your meals on your trip: your pots and pans, utensils, dishes, spice rack and the food itself. Keep these items separate from your other gear, so you will always know where to find your meal-making necessities.
The bag itself should be strong and waterproof (or be prepared to cover it with your pack cover when you are storing your food for the night). Once you have done your meal preparations "in the kitchen," go over the recipe ingredients again to ensure you don't forget anything. Try to split up the food with other members of your group whenever possible, because the load can get heavy pretty fast.
Once you are out in the wilderness, you will need to find a proper place to store your food bag to keep it safe from predators, who may be attracted to it by its smell. The easiest and yet at the same time the most difficult place to store your bag is in a tree. Find a sturdy tree that is away from your tent and cooking area. In addition to food, store any smelly products like toothpaste and deodorant in the bag as well. Then comes the hard part: tie a carabiner (an oblong metal ring with one spring-hinged side, available at outdoors shops) to a rope and swing it up around a branch. Don't worry if you don't make it the first time; it will probably take you a few tries before you get it. Once in place, clip the food bag on, then lift it up and tie it off.
Once you've prepared your food bag once with your basic necessities the first time, it will be easy the next time you take a trip because you'll already have the basics packed away.
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Excerpted from Chef in your Backpack: Gourmet Cooking in the Great Outdoors by Nicole Bassett. Copyright 2003 by Nicole Bassett. Excerpted with permission from Arsenal Pulp Press. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.
