Trail Chef: Bacon & Cheese Breakfast 'Taters

Fuel the morning's hike with this superhearty meal.

Y'know, I'm not a savory breakfast person. Give me the choice between syrupy French toast with chocolate chips and classic steak & eggs, and I'll go for the sugar bomb every time. But I know that plenty of other backpackers much prefer something hearty, cheesy, and meaty to start the day (weirdos). This one's for you. And bonus: Thanks to extra-convenient ingredients, this recipe is a little more involved than pouring hot water into oatmeal—but not much.

Bacon & Cheese Breakfast 'Taters
By Cindy Crosby. Serves 2.

3.5-ounce packet Hungry Jack Easy Mash'd Cheesy Homestyle Mashed Potatoes
1 Jack Link's Jack Pack! (combo of cheese sticks, beef sticks, and pretzels)
2 teaspoons macaroni & cheese topping
3-ounce pouch bacon bits
Small green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (use a Pizza Hut packet)
1 tablespoon oil

In Camp
Dice cheese sticks. Slice beef sticks into 1/4-inch-think rings. Saute beef with bacon bits and chopped onion in oil until barely tender. Add two cups water, cover, and bring to a boil (now's a good time to eat those extra pretzels from the Jack Pack!). Remove from heat and stir in mashed potato mix and Parmesan cheese. Potatoes will thicken quickly—smooth out any lumps with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle with cheese topping and diced cheese. Enjoy!

—Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan

Image credit: Hungry Jack

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READERS COMMENTS

A good story

GK Chesterton: “The poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese.”

Voila: www.tastingtoeternity.com. This book is a poetic view of 30 of the best loved French cheeses with an additional two odes to cheese. Recipes, wine pairing, three short stories and an educational section complete the book.

From a hectic life in New York City to the peace and glories of the French countryside lead me to be the co-founder of www.fromages.com. Ten years later with the words of Pierre Androuet hammering on my brain:

“Cheese is the soul of the soil. It is the purest and most romantic link between humans and the earth.”

I took pen and paper; many reams later with the midnight oil burning Tasting to Eternity was born and self published.

I believe cheese and wine lovers should be told about this publication.

Enjoy

Posted: Nov 04, 2009 david

We eat pretty much this exact thing for dinner, but call it Cheezy-Baco-Spuds. Good stuff. We had an extra serving after a troop camp out and my boy made it for dinner.
Posted: Oct 07, 2009 Chris

There is always Cheese Whiz and Instant Taters, with a sprinkle of bacon bits.
Posted: Aug 13, 2009 Bruster

Eating potatoes for breakfast isn't weird - it is quite good for you....tons of potassium that will help ward off cramps and help you take in your water better.
Though the http://www.idahoan.com/ brands 4 Cheese flavor is way better tasting.
Posted: Aug 06, 2009 Sarah Kirkconnell