THIRTY-ONE

Menu Planner

ONE-WEEK EXPEDITION-STYLE
MENU OVERVIEW

Day 1

BREAKFAST: granola with dried fruit; hot drinks

LUNCH: bannock (see this page); dried fruit; cheese; sesame sticks

DINNER: rice and beans casserole with cheese and salsa (see this page)

Day 2

BREAKFAST: oatmeal with brown sugar, raisins, and butter; hot drinks

LUNCH: crackers; dried fruit; peanut butter and jelly; gorp

DINNER: macaroni and cheese with touch of dried tomato sauce and dried green peas

Day 3

BREAKFAST: dried eggs and hash browns; hot drinks

LUNCH: bannock; dried fruit; salami; spicy trail mix

DINNER: lentil stew with bannock

Day 4

BREAKFAST: cold cereal with milk; dried fruit; hot drinks

LUNCH: crackers; cream cheese; canned green chilies; dried fruit; sesame sticks

DINNER: spaghetti with dried sauce; small bag of Parmesan

Day 5

BREAKFAST: bulgur hash (see this page); hot drinks

LUNCH: bannock; hummus (see this page-this page); dried fruit; gorp

DINNER: chili made with dried ingredients (dried meat optional)

Day 6

BREAKFAST: seven-grain hot cereal with brown sugar and butter; hot drinks

LUNCH: crackers; cheese; jerky; dried fruit; Oriental trail mix

DINNER: Dutch oven quiche with fresh Swiss cheese, dried eggs, and dried veggies

Day 7

BREAKFAST: dried scrambled eggs with cheese; dried refried beans; hot drinks

LUNCH: bannock; meat spread; dried fruit; sesame sticks

DINNER: curried rice and dried veggies

Remember that the menu can be spiced up according to taste by bringing along a complete selection of spices and that condiments like hot mustard or dried salsa can enliven the lunches. A few canned goods like a meat spread or whole green chilies don’t add that much weight and pick up a meal considerably. It may also be possible to live off the land a bit by picking berries in season or by catching fish.

OTHER EXPEDITION ENTRÉE IDEAS

Dutch oven pizza

Cauliflower-mushroom-rice-cheese casserole

Noodles and dried pesto

Corn chowder and bannock

Spanish rice or bulgur

FIVE-DAY LUXURY MENU
(ASSUMING FEW PORTAGES AND SPACE FOR A COOLER)

Day 1

BREAKFAST: fresh eggs; sausage; hot drinks

LUNCH: bagels; cream cheese; canned green chilies; fresh fruit; nut mix

DINNER: chicken and rice casserole

Day 2

BREAKFAST: pancakes with butter and syrup; hot drinks

LUNCH: bagels; salami; mustard; fresh fruit; nut mix

DINNER: burritos with flour tortillas, beans, meat, fresh tomatoes-onions-olives, cheese

Day 3

BREAKFAST: corned beef hash and poached eggs; hot drinks

LUNCH: pita bread; fresh hummus; sliced red onion; fresh fruit; nut mix

DINNER: beef stew with fresh ingredients; garlic bread

Day 4

BREAKFAST: hot cereal with sugar and butter; dried fruit mix; hot drinks

LUNCH: sandwich bread; cold cuts; cheese; mustard; fruit; chips

DINNER: spaghetti with fresh veggie sauce; French bread

Day 5

BREAKFAST: cold cereal with dried fruit; hot drinks

LUNCH: crackers; peanut butter and jelly; fruit; jerky; nut mix

DINNER: Dutch oven enchiladas

Don’t forget a bottle of wine here and there, a dessert or two, and snack treats.

WHAT’S IN THE PANTRY

Think of the pantry pack in the same way as a closet space off the kitchen where you keep the bins of flour, bags of sugar, and other cooking staples that might be required for any meal. My expedition pantry usually includes the following:

extra bag of flour or bannock mix

powdered milk

cooking oil or margarine

spice kit

selection of hot drinks

cold drink crystals

daily treats

selection of condiments

extra matches in a plastic bag

desserts

beef and chicken (or veggie) bouillon