my favorite backpacking meal

I am about to head off on our Introduction to Backpacking weekend in Minnesota, and I am, of course thinking about food. Sometimes it can be a challenge to feel like you can eat well while backpacking and still keep the weight down. Many pre-packaged backpacking meals are expensive and often less savory than I (and many others) prefer. So, here is my favorite meal. It is filling, nutritious and pretty lightweight.

Burritos and Spanish rice. You need tortillas, dehydrated refried beans (either black or pinto), some cheese, salsa (either in a plastic bottle or transfer into a Nalgene container), and a box of spanish rice (I try to get one with the least additives). If you want to get a little fancier you could bring an avocado, a tomato and an onion. These store well in a tupperware container that you can also use as your eating dish.

The meal is simple to make - you just boil water. The rice cooks in one pot and the beans you rehydrate in five minutes in a bowl, or another small pot. If you have veggies, cut them up to add on top or make guacamole. And then you build your burrito. Mmmm, mmm good! Any extra tortillas can be carried for lunches or other dinners. --Deb