Single-portion entrees

Posted by: mockturtle

Single-portion entrees - 09/20/08 05:28 PM

Am I the only one who has trouble finding a variety of 'no-cook, just cozy' meals in single serving packets? Sure, Mountain House and some others make a few but, compared to the two-portion meals, they are pretty limited. If I use half a bag, then I can't use the bag to cook it in.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/20/08 05:44 PM

You can divide the 2-person meal between two freezer bags. That's what I do on the very rare occasions I use commercially freeze-dried food. However, I'd rather do my own thing with Freezer bag cooking.. Most of the commercial freeze-dried stuff is full of preservatives and relatively tasteless, IMHO. And I won't eat "empty calorie" foods like white rice and pasta made with white flour.

Most of the hungry guys I've met eat a 2-serving Mountain House meal all by themselves. Most of us women don't get quite as hungry. On most trips, I generally don't have much appetite in the evenings. I eat a big breakfast and snack throughout the day. For me even a half-package would be too much.
Posted by: phat

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/20/08 06:13 PM


I don't usually have this problem, because to me a two serving meal is usually a one hungry phat guy dinner <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> but just take a regular one, split it in two, and put it in two small size freezer bags - then just add one cup of water and cozy it a bit. I do this for winter dayhiking when I carry stuff for a hot lunch, and I regularly split the mountain house omlettes in half because I'm not a big breakfast eater.
Posted by: mockturtle

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/20/08 07:49 PM

OK--you both mention 'freezer bags'. Are you talking about ordinary Ziploc freezer bags here? And are they safe to 'cook' [cozy] your food in?
Posted by: 1goodpacker

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/20/08 08:08 PM

There is some controversy on that. If you are concerned about letting your food re-hydrate in a freezerbag, then let food rehydrate in your pot. You can make a pot cozy or just wrap the pot up in something like a fleece vest.
Posted by: phat

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/20/08 08:15 PM

Heck yeah! The ziploc *freezer* bags will take boiling water in them just fine. Just don't try it with *sandwitch* bags... You should have a cozy (I just use my toque) so you don't burn your hands, and to insulate it for bit if you need to "cook" it for a while.

But don't take my word for it - Buy sarbar's book :

http://www.amazon.com/Freezer-Bag-Cookin...&sr=8-1
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/20/08 08:53 PM

By the time you boil the water in your pot, turn off the stove, remove the pot from the stove and then pour the water into the freezer bag, the water temperature will be low enough that you won't have exceeded the recommended temperature for the freezer bag. This is certainly true at higher altitudes. Remember that freezer bags do not contain bisphenol-A, the chemical causing the current controversy.

If you're really concerned about freezer bags, then you can get one of those sealing gizmos with the kind of plastic used for "boil in bag" meals. The only thing is that unlike a ziplock bag, these bags can't be resealed once opened. Not a big deal if you keep them upright in a stiff cozy.

I would bet that your Mountain House foil bag has a plastic liner, anyway. And if that liner is the same material that is used to line canned food containers, it does contain BPA. I'd be more suspicious of that than of a freezer bag.
Posted by: mockturtle

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/21/08 07:41 AM

I like extreme simplicity when I hike & camp. Because I do a lot of cooking at home and always from scratch, my outdoor time is one of escape from the normal routine. My average day on the trail:

Breakfast: Oatmeal, coffee and a protein bar.
Lunch: Whole-grain crackers, peanut butter and dried fruit or trail mix, instant tea.
Dinner: Freeze-dried packaged dinner cooked in the bag, granola bar & coffee.
Snacks of nuts and dried fruits or granola bars.

Everything fits nicely into a smaller bear vault and I am quite content with the above fare [but for the aforementioned lack of variety in single-pack meals].

OTOH, I am a great admirer of Sarbar and might be persuaded to try some new things and 'cook' in ziploc bags if she thinks it's safe. I think I might buy her book. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/21/08 11:10 AM

It seems that the only commercial company out there that does single serving right is Mary Jane organics - which I would say is worth eating and worth the cost.
But...you have to like a more natural foods style for those meals <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

For me plastics use is a personal choice. While I am comfortable with it I do respect that not everyone is. Other options include preparing any recipe in your pot or using an insulated mug <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Folkalist

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/21/08 12:27 PM

"All hail Sarbar!" <hordes of freezer bag cooking devotees prostrate themselves in the meadow as Sarbar sits demurely on picnic table, pint size freezer bags in one hand, quart size in the other> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: mockturtle

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/21/08 01:18 PM

Actually, I gave up Mary Jane in the mid-1970's--organic and otherwise. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: chaz

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/21/08 06:38 PM

I think that a half pakage of a freeze dried meal or 1 serving is just about right. But now I'm concerned about BPA being in the linings of cans, bags etc. I was unaware that it was use for that purpose. I thought that it was only used in hard plastic products etc. I may just go back to cooking all in a cookset and enjoying a little slower, although more involved meal prep routine.
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/21/08 08:10 PM

Just remember - even if you do cook "one pot" it needn't be hard! Just use recipes and ideas that cook fast. Ie...where all you do is bring water to a boil, dump the dry items in, stir and turn off the heat. You can get pot cozies from Antigravitygear for nearly all pots - just insulate your meal for 15 minutes <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/21/08 08:10 PM

lol...now that is funny <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: BarryP

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/22/08 08:10 AM

I’m another person who splits my Mountain House Clam Chowder into two Freezer Ziploc bags.
The 1pt freezer bags are the best but they are so dang hard to find in stores. So I ordered a case of them over the internet.

Also, I found any zip-type bag will work. They don’t melt. I have been amazed at some of these ultra thin bags. They hold up for 2 days rubbing in the backpack before pinholes start showing. But in the end, I opt for the freezer bag since they can handle a lot of abuse.

Another money saving idea, since I love Mountain House Eggs & Bacon, I buy the 10# can and save mucho on cost. When I open the can, I divvy out about 5-15 bags (depends on the mood I’m in) and store them in the freezer.

Freezer bag cooking is great! I love no dishes.

-Barry
Posted by: chaz

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/22/08 11:06 AM

That went over my head until Sarbar chimmed in. I guess I should have given it up long before the 70's LOL <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: chaz

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/22/08 11:10 AM

I have a box of Hefty one zip quart storage bags. Are they heavy enough and won't melt? These have the blue zipper and are almost air tight when closed.
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/22/08 07:14 PM

Pint bags? Walmart <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Folkalist

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/22/08 07:38 PM

My WalMart is a fickle creature. Occasionally they have the pint size, usually they don't. I stocked up last time they had them.
Posted by: GrumpyGord

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/23/08 03:38 AM

I really like the Enertia single meal packets. Most can be done FBC but a few require a pot. Good taste but a little on the expensive side so I do not use them very often.
Posted by: BarryP

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/23/08 02:04 PM

nope. not here <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: BarryP

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/23/08 02:09 PM

“I have a box of Hefty one zip quart storage bags. Are they heavy enough and won't melt?”

They should work. Try it at home and be amazed. However IMHO, 1QT bags are a hassle. They’re only 1/4 to 1/3 full for single servings. Then you need a LONG spoon to dip deep into the bag.

On the other hand, if you like 2 oatmeal packets at a time, then the qt bags may be closer to your needs.

-Barry
Posted by: CamperMom

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/23/08 03:57 PM

I rarely eat a hot breakfast, and avoid "instant oatmeal."

That said, if I were eating instant oatmeal packets, I'd eat straight from the packet, one at a time. I'm too cheap, er frugal, to waste a bag on repackaging them.

CM
Posted by: phat

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/23/08 04:18 PM


I sometimes reapack my goatmeal because the brown paper bags hold water very poorly <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
but most often it's one thing I'll just make in the pot - as long as I clean it out right away it cleans up with a little sand and water.
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/23/08 06:20 PM

Barry,

I stock up whenever I see the pint bags - I usually buy 12 or more boxes at a time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I sell them on the site for pretty close to my cost since they are hard to get.
Posted by: phat

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/23/08 10:19 PM


I'm amazed you folks have so much trouble finding them.. The safeway 6 blocks from my house has them all the time.
Posted by: Earthling

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/27/08 05:31 PM

When out on the trail I reuse pint size Food Saver brand bags. Yes they cost more, but they are durable enough to wash and reuse so you don't have to carry moe than one or 2 on a week long trip. Even then when you get home you can really clean them out and reuse them again!

I just fold the top over and use a large paper clip or 2.
Posted by: Folkalist

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/27/08 07:36 PM

Clever. Will consider in the future.
Posted by: kbennett

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/29/08 04:25 PM

Quote:

That said, if I were eating instant oatmeal packets, I'd eat straight from the packet, one at a time. I'm too cheap, er frugal, to waste a bag on repackaging them.


Well, I usually like "quick" oats, which work well with a cozy and maybe 8 minutes to rehydrate.

But I have to disagree with the eat-from-the-packet thing. I just bought a big box of organic instant oatmeal at Costco (impulse purchase, what can I say? Probably made in China of organic toxins.) When I mixed it up for this weekend's hike, I used two packets in a quart freezer bag, then added a shake of powdered milk, a handful of chopped walnuts, and some dried fruit (cherries, apples, strawberries, all homemade.) Oh, and a shake of cinnamon.

This makes instant oatmeal actually worth eating.
Posted by: phat

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/29/08 06:23 PM

Quote:
[quote]
But I have to disagree with the eat-from-the-packet thing. I just bought a big box of organic instant oatmeal at Costco (impulse purchase, what can I say? Probably made in China of organic toxins.) When I mixed it up for this weekend's hike, I used two packets in a quart freezer bag, then added a shake of powdered milk, a handful of chopped walnuts, and some dried fruit (cherries, apples, strawberries, all homemade.) Oh, and a shake of cinnamon.

This makes instant oatmeal actually worth eating.


That and the milk is useful to cut the melamine content eh <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Single-portion entrees - 09/29/08 06:58 PM

Ken, add coconut cream powder to your oatmeal! Makes it so good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: chaz

Re: Single-portion entrees - 10/01/08 07:40 AM

One thing I did use the bags for was dry pancake mix. I add water and close the bag and kneed to mix. I then cut off the corner and squeeze the batter into the pan. It worked great. Any better ideas for making pancakes? Oh also, I take a few blueberries and sprinkle in the pancakes while cooking. Yummmm...
Posted by: HikerMatt

Re: Single-portion entrees - 10/01/08 07:52 PM

Quote:
One thing I did use the bags for was dry pancake mix. I add water and close the bag and kneed to mix. I then cut off the corner and squeeze the batter into the pan. It worked great. Any better ideas for making pancakes? Oh also, I take a few blueberries and sprinkle in the pancakes while cooking. Yummmm...


I must say, a very simple idea, but a very good one...I would never have thought of it...Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Woody

Re: Single-portion entrees - 10/10/08 06:02 AM

Quote:
OK--you both mention 'freezer bags'. Are you talking about ordinary Ziploc freezer bags here? And are they safe to 'cook' [cozy] your food in?



Packit Gourmet has some boil-in bags listed on their site. You could use these if you’re worried about plastic chemicals leaching out of your freezer bag when you cook. I’ve been looking for something like this for awhile now – I’m really excited that I finally found a source! I love FBC cooking but I’ve always worried about the safety of boiling in the freezer bags.

Also, it looks like they just came out with some single serving meals and plan to come out with more soon.

Packit Gourmet - Single Serving Meals

Packit Gourmet - Boil-In Bags