Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#131708 - 04/07/10 12:48 PM Easy Mac?
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
I picked up a couple of the Easy Mac macaroni and cheese meals the other day to try for my daughter (I can't have milk products). The directions say to fill with water and microwave but I tried filling with boiling water to the line, covering, insulating, and waiting about twice as long (10-12 minutes)as the directions said. Even after adding the cheese packet the whole thing was more like soup than mac and cheese and the pasta at the bottom was mushy (yes I did stir). Anyone have any insight or should I just give up on these convient meals for backpacking with kids?
_________________________
If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

Top
#131710 - 04/07/10 01:17 PM Re: Easy Mac? [Re: thecook]
Redfacery Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/10
Posts: 82
Loc: NY
I tend to switch off between easy mac and idaho dried potatoes for my side dish on trail meals, and I have never found a way to make it quite as good/consistent as in the microwave. However, I find that less water than the directions is better, and I tend to also supplement the cheese package included with an ounce or two of hard cheese, typically parmesan.

I think just cause of the fact that it's easy mac and not regular pasta, it'll be kinda mushy in any case. Of course, there is always the honey mustard route if your kids like it. Honey mustard can be added to goup up easy mac and add flavor that isn't quite as "industrial bland cheese".

Hope that helps.

Top
#131711 - 04/07/10 01:34 PM Re: Easy Mac? [Re: Redfacery]
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
Thanks. That's about what I thought frown I cook on the trail because I want my/our food to taste good smile Mushy won't do it for my family. We eat too well at home. The mustard idea, however, is a good one, and one I will try to incorporate.
_________________________
If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

Top
#131719 - 04/07/10 05:24 PM Re: Easy Mac? [Re: thecook]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
If your pasta was mushy, you may have rehydrated it too long. Do some experimenting with small amounts of the pasta at home to see how long it takes and how much water you need.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#131725 - 04/07/10 06:44 PM Re: Easy Mac? [Re: OregonMouse]
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
OM, I didn't realize that too long was a problem. Tell me more about rehydration times and what happens to food that sits too long.
_________________________
If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

Top
#131733 - 04/07/10 10:11 PM Re: Easy Mac? [Re: thecook]
taM Offline
member

Registered: 01/31/10
Posts: 112
Loc: Nashville, TN
I've eaten this on the trail from time to time, and it's never really the right texture, but if it doesn't taste good, I didn't hike hard enough that day!

Less water would help you, since if it's not in the microwave, you're not going to lose much if any to evaporation or boil-over.

I've moved away from EZmac though, as it doesn't have to great a calorie to weight ratio...
_________________________
Light, Cheap, Durable...
pick two

Top
#131742 - 04/07/10 11:56 PM Re: Easy Mac? [Re: taM]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I use the "Annies Naturals" Mac and Cheese. Lots less weird additives. Your mileage, of course, may vary.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#131852 - 04/09/10 09:43 PM Re: Easy Mac? [Re: thecook]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
the only way to get pasta to rehydrate to the proper texture is to cook regular pasta/macaroni, dehydrate it, and then it becomes just-add-water perfect. Stir in water and cheese powder, let sit until the pasta is done.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#132144 - 04/15/10 10:16 PM Re: Easy Mac? [Re: lori]
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
I've never had much luck rehydrating my own home dehydrated pasta. That and the fact that I am a good enough cook to be picky about the quality of the food I eat keeps me (mostly grin) actually cooking on the trail. The hard part is satisfying my kids while not carrying the kitchen sink (and the refrigerator, and cutting board, and ...)
_________________________
If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 160 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum