Turn the most boring food into a TASTE SENSATION with a few added ingredients.
Is there anything more boring than plain mashed potatoes? No, and yet mashed potatoes are one of the MOST common foods consumed in the backcountry. Why? They are cheap, filling, and perfectly bland - that is, they form the perfect BASE for individual tastes. Potatoes are also gluten free, non-GMO, vegan, vegetarian, paleo-friendly & Kosher.
Instant mashed potatoes should be in your food bag - regardless if you are backpacking or car camping, wilderness canoeing or bikepacking, 4x4 overlanding or living the vanlife or in your RV. Instant mashed potatoes take up little space, are shelf-stable, and are fast to prepare with minimal water.
For example, in this video, Chef Corso demonstrates how to jazz up basic instant potatoes with only a few ingredients: precooked bacon, hard cheese, and chopped onions:
Want to to make preparation even EASIER? Substitute shelf-stable freeze-dried sausage crumbles.
Simply cover the sausage with one cup of water and bring to a boil.
Remove the pot from the stove or fire and insulate with a pot cozy (see the DIY article.). Then add freeze-dried green onions. (Note: I never buy fresh onions when I can avoid shopping, washing, chopping, disposal of the trimmings, and onion tears!)
Stir in the mashed potatoes and allow to rehydrate.
Add shredded hard cheese - or substitute freeze-dried shredded cheese.
Salt, pepper, and Tabasco to taste.
Enjoy! You can customize endlessly. Add butter powder, garlic salt, peppers, gravy mix, freeze-dried corn, beans, peppers - and the list goes on.
Want to make meal preparation even faster? Combine the ingredients in a freezer bag.
Add the freeze-dried sausage, instant mashed potatoes, and freeze-dried green onions and shredded cheese to a Ziplock bag. (For long-term storage of multiple bags you can also use a vacuum sealer.)
When you get to camp, add boiling water TO THE BAG (first, insulate with a cozy to retain the heat and protect your hands. See this video by The Hungry Hiker for an easy DIY project.)
Stir a few times, then eat in less than 10 minutes!
When done, dispose of the bag and wash your spork! Can it be easier?
I invite you to look over the HUGE range of freeze-dried vegetables and meats available from Thrive Life. Choose an assortment of 4 or 5 and you can create a never-ending variety of hearty camp meals! Follow this link and I can also help you buy Thrive Foods at wholesale prices, and save 27% to 37% or more!!! CLICK HERE
Please Like and Comment with your FAVORITE variations of loaded mashed potatoes. Also, Like and Share this recipe on the Great Out There Facebook page.
