i feel like the mama of a kindergardener...

i worked on packing some of swayze's meals today. it's kind of frustrating because a 7# bag of dog food at target is $12 and change and the 15.5# bag of dog food is right at $18. but if i were to try and buy in bulk and ship it, it'd work out being about the same if i just bought the smaller bag elsewhere. boo that. she wore her backpack a little bit more around the house tonight, though. it was filled this time, and it took her some getting used to... she wasn't used to being so wide and walked into the wall and scared herself. ;D i feel like i need to take some pictures of the fit and ask some people on whiteblaze if they think it fits her ok and what i can do to adjust it better... she's just shaped so weird! i should go to bed... work in the morning. blahhh. oh yeah! powerball tonight! i'll be a millionaire in the morning!

fewd

Bacon Polenta

Serves 1

½ cup instant polenta

2 tablespoons shelf-stable bacon

½ tablespoon onion flakes

½ tablespoon butter powder

1 teaspoon chicken or vegetable broth powder

2 packets Parmesan cheese

At home: combine everything except the Parmesan in a zip-locking plastic bag.

In camp: Bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add the polenta and simmer until cooked

and creamy. Top with the Parmesan cheese and enjoy.

Chai Cheesecake
Serves 4

This dessert needs either cool weather for it to set up. It can also be divided in half for smaller portions.

1 11.1 oz package instant cheesecake mix
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¼ cup crystallized ginger, chopped
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon coriander
¼ teaspoon turmeric At home: open the cheesecake mix. In a zip locking plastic bag, combine the crust mix, 1 teaspoon ground ginger and the crystallized ginger. In a second zip locking bag, combine the cheesecake mix, powdered milk and remaining spices.

In camp: in your pan, combine the cheesecake mix with 1 ½ cups water. Stir to combine, breaking up any lumps. Set aside to firm up. Once set, top with crust mix.

Nutella Cream Pie
Serves 1

Try this with banana pudding too!

2 T Nutella (or 1 single serving package)
1 snack pack vanilla pudding
1 mini graham cracker tart shell

At home: put the Nutella in a screw top container (or bring the single serving package) Place everything in zip locking plastic bag.

In camp: spread the Nutella over the sides and bottom of the tart shell. Top with all of the pudding. Eat!

other recipes...

whenever i cook, i actually cook and don't usually take shortcuts. if i want something quick, i use frozen meals that just zap in the microwave: i don't try to act like i'm really cooking and use instant gravy, etc. therefore, it's almost like a light bulb moment when i come across very simple, quick recipes online that actually uses those sorts of things. i feel i should keep track of them, however, because it's just not that stuff i think of everyday. 

• foil pack of chicken, stovetop stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, instant gravy, craisins
• three-minute pasta, foil pack of chicken, pizza sauce
• hot chocolate mix :)
• Chicken Mushroom Cheese Couscous
  Serves 1
  
  1/3 cup couscous
  2 T dried mushrooms
  1 T dried chicken (or a small can/pouch)
  2 T cheddar cheese powder
  1/2 t chicken or vegetable bullion
  1 T dried peas (or vegetable of your choice)
  
  At home: combine all of the ingredients in a zip locking plastic freezer bag.
  
  In camp: add hot water to cover. Stir well, place in a cozy and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Stir again before eating.
• 1 package ramen noodles (any flavor, discard the spice pack) 380 cal
  4 Tablespoons olive oil 520 cal
  4 slices pre-cooked bacon, crumbled into bits 70 cal
  1 Tablespoon garlic powder
  4 Tablespoons parmesan cheese (could use the packets that Pizza hut and other pizza places give out) 80 cal
  red pepper flakes (again, from Pizza Hut) and black pepper to taste
  
  Boil the ramen noodles, discarding the spice pack. Drain the water. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well mixed.
• www.wildernesscooking.com
• www.onepanwonders.com