[jeffro]

Do not forget the humble avocado, which if timed right ripens to its green goodness on the trip, and adds nutrients and flavor to any meal.

I can't even time that right if I'm buying one for tomorrow.

 

[KrisG]

I feel that with modern coolers and good cooler management this isn't as much of an issue as people make it out to be. Sometimes we do light trips with no cooler, or a softside one. In those cases, my favorite meat is canned chicken. People seem to be more agreeable to that than other canned meats. My go to meal is a white bean chicken chile, which is super easy. you can also do chicken enchiladas, and chicken and dumplings, I will also do a number of pasta dishes, like mac and cheese, or a meatless pasta with a jar of sauce. One meat that is very versatile and can make a lot of meals, but seems to generate mixed reactions, is Spam. You can google spam recipes and get about 50 different ideas. Some turn their noses up at it. I have done some meals with spam and rice, or ramen, that is sort of flavored in some sort of oriental way that have gone over well.

I do often use meats like a ham, or sausage like Hilshire farms that last a long time in a cool environment, and they seem to be better choices for late in a trip than going to all canned foods. At the end of the day if your group likes it then it is great.

 

[Wallrat]

If my TL tried to feed me Spam…there would be an immediate mutiny. I’d be peeing in his cooler after I drank all his beer.
I can’t think of anything meaner to do than that, right at the moment.

 

[griz]

I’ll eat spam when a normal day for me looks a lot like this…..

until then….nah, brah.

 

[BastrdSonOfElvis]

I dunno, every time I see that commercial when they fry up cubed Spam with some rice, peas and carrots I think "damn, that looks pretty good."
I don't go out and buy any Spam, but I'd house that business after a long day on the river (and after a healthy buzz).

 

[Wallrat]

You should look into what “pink slime” is and how it’s made. Then realize that’s what Spam is. You’ll never eat it again.

 

[BastrdSonOfElvis]

I can’t imagine it’s worse than what’s in MREs. Is it Soylent Green?

 

[Wallrat]

Meat scraps and trimmings spun in a centrifuge, then bleached with ammonia. Yummy.

 

[griz]

I can’t imagine it’s worse than what’s in MREs. Is it Soylent Green?

even cooked, it smells pretty rough.

if the world ever gets overrun by zombies or whatnots, it’ll be a tasty treat, no doubt, though.

 

[B4otter]

Not difficult to create a Mex-out or stir fry from cans, you can even find canned tortillas if you search. But why? The real thing - esp. corn torts - lasts at least 3-4 weeks properly cared for and fried on griddle to refresh. Root veggies - onions, carrots, potatoes, beets, etc. - can easily last 3-4 weeks if you pay attention and cut any funk away (but best not to let it develop!). Cabbage is your friend. I've carried "fresh" (supermarket/Costco) eggs 3+ weeks and they taste just fine - again, properly stored and crack each individual into a sierra cup or similar container before adding to the aggregate. Canned meats I rinse in water before using unless canned in water (usually tuna&chicken, but there are others). Ham lasts months, as does bacon (see Powell, J.W.). Cook if concerned, I usually pre-cook all bacon and sausage at home so don't have to deal with grease on the river... Dried beans/polenta/rice/orzo/"instant" mashed potatoes (Ore-Ida, etc.) are all easy and FAST.

Not difficult to eat well out of cans/dried, trick is to add some fresh that "kicks" in and keeps everyone moving... (direction groover but not all at the same time). Canned fruit/juice also tastes great Day 18 on... You can make sprouts but have to pay attention - they taste great when everything else is done/gone. Always a trade-off between time and taste, and what you do at home versus on the riv'. I'm happy with olives/artichokes/crackers&cheese - until I'm not!

 

[bfish]

A couple cans of chop suey veggies and some canned chicken/turkey over noodles or rice. Add in any celery, carrots, onions etc that have made the trip, or not.

 

[idahogiants]

Green Chicken Posole from mostly cans- I've done this with a slowcooker at home but works equally well on the river in a pot or DO.

In an oiled pot, drop in canned chicken and if you have it, sliced onion and a few minced garlic cloves or sub onion/garlic powder. Saute a bit.
To said pot, add in 19 ounce can of Green Echilada sauce, a couple of 7 ounce cans of salsa verde (like Herdez), cup of chicken broth from a cube or BTB, small can green chiles, 2 x 15.5 ounce cans of white hominy, oregano, salt and cayenne/hot sauce to taste and let it slow cook for a while.

Eat on it's own or with tortillas.

 

[bfish]

Canned beef with redeye gravy, pancake or instant mash potatoes, and canned green beans.

 

[MT4Runner]

This.

I've done a late in the trip Green Curry that is completely out of cans as a late trip meal on a bunch of longer trips. You can do it entirely out of cans.... canned chicken, canned veggies, canned coconut milk, you can even get the curry paste in a can. Get the coconut milk in the large food service can and if you smash them well enough all the other cans fit inside it. Any Thai curry works for this... Masaman, Red, Yellow, Green....whichever is your favorite. If you wanna make it extra delicious.... bring a can of Coconut Cream too. I vacuum bag the rice to keep it safe.

man, I wish I had green curry on a river trip! haha

I feel like, as long as it doesn't get too warm in the cooler.... a lot of vacuum sealed boil bag style meals will work late in a trip too, even if most or all of the ice is gone.

If you have a sous vide, a vacuum-sealed and SV'ed meal is basically pasteurized...and then without reopening, you're not introducing any air/oxygen/new bacteria, so I'd tend to agree. I know that a SV'ed and sealed roast will last a couple weeks in the fridge.

 

[BOBBY'S SHORTS]

Minute rice and Campbell's Gumbo

 

[Big Wave]

Salt pork and Anisazi beans from Dove Creek Milling they cook fast 2:hours and they have the Powellesk survival aura.

 

[Wallrat]

I thought by now someone would have posted a recipe for scorpion stir fry, or some such.

 

[wdeutsch]

Super late to the party here, but if you have an Indian/Pakistani/Nepali grocery store anywhere near you, the "Tasty Bite" selections are off the hook. The sh*t you get at costco or in the grocery store is no comparison. Go buy a bunch of envelopes of that, take some couscous or quinoa with you and let everyone pick their favorite (tribute to Georgie?) and pour it over the base for an incredibly tasty Indian meal. Around these parts, the international markets usually sell them 3 for the price of 2, which means they are WAY affordable, and the selection is nearly endless.

 

[Whitewater Worthy Equip]

Oki,

we can take care of all the no cooler meals.I must have missed you invite…

 

[Wallrat]

Super late to the party here, but if you have an Indian/Pakistani/Nepali grocery store anywhere near you, the "Tasty Bite" selections are off the hook. The sh*t you get at costco or in the grocery store is no comparison. Go buy a bunch of envelopes of that, take some couscous or quinoa with you and let everyone pick their favorite (tribute to Georgie?) and pour it over the base for an incredibly tasty Indian meal. Around these parts, the international markets usually sell them 3 for the price of 2, which means they are WAY affordable, and the selection is nearly endless.

Amazon and Costco both carry the Tasty Bite products. I use them too. They’re very good.