Soups

Reviewed by KiwiKlimber

With complex flavors and an intoxicating aroma, this meal is particularly well-suited for winter backcountry trips. C'mon, who doesn't love a good chowder after a day in the snow? It includes dehydrated fish flakes, which was a pleasant surprise, but I did experience some rehydration issues with other ingredients.

To give you a little background on how and in what conditions I tested this meal, below is a description of two separate tests.   Testing Meal #1 - After a 3.5-mile sunset hike in chilly, windy conditions (30°F), my wife and I sat down lakeside to relax and cook up the New England Corn Chowdah (yes, that is how the manufacturer spells it because that is apparently how New Englanders say it, "chowdah" instead of "chowder"). Being lakeside with the winds beginning to worsen and the sun already set, it was hard to wait the necessary 15 minutes for the meal to rehydrate (and that is already after waiting for the water to boil), but we somehow managed.

Read more: Good To-Go New England Corn Chowdah review (1)

Reviewed by JWatson

This is a really different, generally satisfying meal. It won't become a go-to in my cookbox, but it certainly has a place as a change of pace.

This was an absolutely intriguing offering. I was definitely concerned about the idea of a peanut stew—would this be like eating watered-down peanut butter with some vegetables thrown in? Was is going to be a basic vegetable stew with whole peanuts floating in it? There was only one way to find out: buy it and try it. Tearing open the bag for the first time did little to assuage my concerns—the scent of peanuts was all but overwhelming. But I was in the middle of a 12-mile hike, and I was hungry.  There was no going back.

Read more: AlpineAire Spicy African Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes review (1)

Reviewed by JWatson

Shakshuka: a spicy north African stew of eggs, tomatoes, and vegetables traditionally served with fresh, warm pita bread here presented as a rice-based freeze-dried meal.

Once again, trying out unconventional meals in search of the perfect backpacking breakfast :) This isn't it, but it is a tasty, satisfying meal—and definitely off the beaten path. Preparation and Ingredients:I followed the package directions: 2 cups boiling water, stir. I gave it an extra stir at 5 minutes before the final stir at 12 minutes.  Everything rehydrated fully, and the water level was just right to feel that I was eating a stew rather than a soup. I appreciated that. I also appreciated the generous portion of egg protien and vegetables.

Read more: AlpineAire Shakshuka review (1)

Featured review by Patman

A very simple organic soup, spiced right, that summons the memory of Americanized Indian food to my palate. It’s a little pricey for dehydrated soup but a worthy splurge.

Ingredients Organic Dehydrated Lentils, Organic Bulgur Wheat, Organic Dehydrated Chopped Onion, Salt, Organic Spices, Organic Dehydrated Green Bell Pepper, Organic Dehydrated Minced Garlic, Organic Dehydrated Red Bell Pepper, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Ground Rice Hulls, Organic Yeast Extract, Organic Sunflower Oil Nutrition Serving Size 1/2 cup (62g) dry Servings Per Container 2 Calories 210 (Calories from Fat 15) Total Fat 1.5g (2% Daily Value) Saturated Fat 0g (0%) Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 420mg (18%) Total Carbohydrate 40g (13%) Dietary Fiber 7g (28%)  Sugars 1g Protein 13g Prologue I’ve bought enough stuff from Patagonia over the years that they keep mailing me the artsy color catalogs every season.

Read more: Patagonia Provisions Organic Green Lentil Soup reviews (2)

Reviewed by JWatson

Restaurant quality, at lower than restaurant prices...on the trail, no less. This is one of the best things I have put in my mouth, ever.

Continuing to work my way through the Stowaway Gourmet catalog (as it becomes available), we come to their Wild Boar Bacon and Bean Stew. What is Wild Boar Bacon?  Apparently, it is "feral pig" meat, cured as a bacon. Easy. Thick cuts of belly meat, just like standard upscale supermarket bacon, as evidenced by strong marbling and a great whack of salt. (I suspect that most of the sodium in this meal comes from the bacon.) But savor that thick, chewy cut of meat for just a little while and the salt dissipates, leaving the boar-bacon flavor to shine.

Read more: Stowaway Gourmet Wild Boar Bacon Bean Stew review (1)

Reviewed by Patman

A fully organic chili with high protein and a flavor profile dominated by red chili, this meal will fill you up and provide good energy, but may not tantalize your taste buds (unless you really dig a strong red chili flavor).

Ingredients: Organic Red Beans, Organic Pinto Beans, Organic Dehydrated Tomato Powder, Organic Dehydrated Diced Tomato, Organic Ground Red Chili, Organic Dehydrated Carrots, Organic Dehydrated Red Bell Pepper, Salt, Organic Ground Rice Hulls, Organic Ground Cumin, Organic Dehydrated Garlic, Organic Ground Chipotle Peppers, Organic Yeast Extract Nutrition: Serving Size 1/2 cup (65g) Servings Per Container 2.5 Calories 220 Total Fat 2g (3% Daily Value) Saturated Fat 0g (0%) Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 380mg (17%) Total Carbohydrate 40g (15%) Dietary Fiber 12g (43%)  Sugars 5g Protein 14g Prologue I’ve bought enough stuff from Patagonia over the years that they keep mailing me the artsy color catalogs every season.

Read more: Patagonia Provisions Organic Red Bean Chili review (1)