snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Oct 4, 2017 7:31:04 GMT -8
Hi All,
Thought I would do a quick review of our recent experience with some of the Paleo to Go meals.
We are normally Mountain House fans for our dinner, and generally bring instant oatmeal or granola for breakfast. On our recent trip we brought along the PTG Canyon Chicken Chili, Beef Stew, and Cliffside Coconut berry breakfast.
The first thing I noticed is that these are stated to be 1 serving, vs. 2-3 for most Mountain House meals. So I supplemented by bringing a package of Seeds of Change quinoa and brown rice (pre cooked). We always have lots of snacks and extra food, so I wasn't too worried about the decrease in calories.
So honestly, both meals tasted meh. I was excited to eat "clean" (ish) on the trail and not have the uhh, flatulence that comes with typical dehydrated meals. But these were kind of unsatisfying based on flavor and content. The breakfast meal was very mushy and bland too. We didn't finish it and offered it to our dog who refused it as well (and he regularly eats garbage for fun).
So, if anyone out there has been thinking of trying these, I'd probably pass. They aren't worth the extra expense.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 4, 2017 9:09:03 GMT -8
Thanks for taking one for the team! I do my own food for backpacking, and this kind of experience just confirms me in that  |
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Oct 4, 2017 9:21:03 GMT -8
We keep kicking around the idea of doing our own food. We mostly do- I dehydrate our own fruit and jerky, repack granola with powdered milk, etc., but we almost always bring one pre-made meal for dinner. We don't get out often enough to justify the initial expense of buying stuff to make our own. I plan to do some experimenting this winter with some options for meals or lunches that will be tasty and low in weight!
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Post by trinity on Oct 4, 2017 9:52:39 GMT -8
Thanks for the review, alas it comes too late for me, I just bought a Paleo to Go meal a few weeks ago, which I haven't tried yet. I will enter the eating experience with low expectations.
I don't know if you've tried Packit Gourmet or Mary Jane's Farm, but I consider both a step up from Mountain House.
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crawford
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Oct 4, 2017 10:48:07 GMT -8
Thanks for the info, and greatest apologies to trinity but be certain that we all appreciate your sacrifice in eating the PTG |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 4, 2017 10:55:16 GMT -8
Open a can of chili, pour it in a tray, dehydrate, bag. You can dry your favorite home made meal. Or skip the cans and dry, as he notes, your own typical meals (not everything works well, but many do). That way you can eat "clean" as you like Seriously, you can get a used dehydrator cheap, or for a bit more, this is what I have. |
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Post by Campfires&Concierges on Oct 4, 2017 16:10:44 GMT -8
I'm a big fan of Packit Gourmet - a step up from Mountain House! Also like a few Mary Jane's meals and use several recipes from sarbar Freezer Bag Cooking |
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Oct 4, 2017 17:40:16 GMT -8
So here is my thoughts: I actually liked the meals. HOWEVER....I used the beef stew one to top over rice. As served that way it was tasty - and filled me up.
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Post by hikinggods on Oct 4, 2017 19:39:25 GMT -8
You might want to try the Good-to-go backpacking meals. They are made with real ingredients, no crap, without tons of salt. I have tried the Thai Curry (very tasty) and the penne pasta (pretty good too). I add dehydrated chicken to the curry, and beef to the penne. Good for times when I am too lazy to make my own. Comes in a 2-serving or single serving.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 3:21:48 GMT -8
snappypepper, I tried the same Paleo to Go breakfast that you tried. To say that I was unimpressed would be generous. I think I could have steeped wood chips in boiling water for ten minutes and had a more pleasant flavor and consistency. The trip wasn't a total culinary loss though, I had brought along a new (to me) brand, MaryJanesFarm, Organic Bean Burrito. Wrapped in some tortillas, this was the most pleasant surprise to me as far as prepackaged, dehydrated meals. Hands down the best prepackaged backpacking dinner I've ever had. Having said that, I dehydrate a lot of my own food as well and second what @tdale & rebeccad have said.
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Oct 14, 2017 16:38:46 GMT -8
You might want to try the Good-to-go backpacking meals. They are made with real ingredients, no crap, without tons of salt. I have tried the Thai Curry (very tasty) and the penne pasta (pretty good too). I add dehydrated chicken to the curry, and beef to the penne. Good for times when I am too lazy to make my own. Comes in a 2-serving or single serving. I have tried one of those, some kind of risotto, it was very good! I'd definitely buy their meals again. We do have a dehydrator, I've just not really messed with dehydrating much beyond jerky and fruit. I'll have to get the solid type trays and try doing some of my bolognese sauce or chili! |
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sarbar
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Post by sarbar on Oct 15, 2017 18:21:43 GMT -8
I'll have to get the solid type trays Just use parchment paper, cut to fit. Works way better. |
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