Backpacker Magazine – April 2005

Four Top Trail Meals

Testers' favorite backpacking entrees

by: The Backpacker Editors

Tags:
• Food & nutrition
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• Skills
|
• Food
|

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©Mitch Mandel

Cache Lake
Cheesy Sweet Potatoes With Pie Spices
6.5 oz. (two servings), 494 calories per serving, $5.75

Flavor The scent of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg evoke grandma's cooking on Thanksgiving--and the sweet-and-spicy taste at the end of a hard slog makes this dish just as gratifying. But skip the cheese crumples; they tasted a tad stale. And this comfort food is best served steaming, even though the package says "serve hot or cold."

Fuel Sweet potatoes are a low-glycemic carb, which means they supply plenty of slow-burning energy. They're also naturally fat free, low in sodium, and high in fiber. Use as a side, not your full meal.

Contact: (800) 442-0852; www.cachelake.com

©Mitch Mandel

Mountain House
Pro-Pak Beef Stroganoff With Noodles
4.06 oz. (1 serving), 520 calories per serving, $5.29

Flavor Flavorful beef, fresh-tasting mushrooms, and a tangy sour cream finish made stroganoff a best seller long ago; the new vacuum-sealed packaging earns it a top spot this year. The stand-up pouch makes prep easy, the zipper keeps it hot, and the compact size let us dip down for the last bite.

Fuel The bump from 13 to 16 ounces per serving (when prepared) will satiate even the biggest eaters. And the spacer-saving packaging won't expand at altitude--saving you room for other goodies.

Contact: (877) 366-3877 www.mountainhouse.com

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