Fuel Up for Adventure: 5 High-Energy Meals for Outdoor Survival
As an outdoors enthusiast, you know that sustaining energy levels during your adventures is crucial for both enjoyment and safety. Whether you’re hiking through rugged terrain or paddling across serene waters, the right nutrition can make all the difference. Here are five hearty meal ideas to keep you fueled up and ready for anything the wilderness throws your way.
1. Trail Mix and Bars Combo
This classic combination offers a quick and convenient way to refuel on the go. Mix and match your favorite ingredients to create a personalized trail mix or opt for the timeless duo of GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) alongside your preferred protein bars. The key is to choose bars packed with protein and nutrients to sustain your energy levels throughout the day.
2. Crackers With Vacuum Sealed Cheese Summer Sausage
Elevate your lunchtime experience with a quick bite. Pair hearty crackers like Triscuits with slices of summer sausage and vacuum-sealed cheese. Don’t forget to add a touch of flavor with individual olive packets. This simple yet satisfying meal is perfect for sharing with fellow adventurers or enjoying solo amidst nature’s beauty.
3. Pita Sandwich Varieties
Ditch the traditional sandwich bread and opt for compact and durable pitas instead. These versatile pockets are ideal for creating a variety of flavorful combinations. From Mediterranean-inspired fillings like dehydrated hummus, sundried tomatoes, and olives, to classic protein-packed options featuring sliced cheese and summer sausage, the possibilities are endless. For a sweet twist, indulge in a Peanut Butter and Jelly Pita that combines the comfort of childhood with the practicality of outdoor dining.
4. Pemmican: A Native American Superfood
Step back in time with pemmican, a traditional Native American food renowned for its high energy and long-lasting sustenance. Made from dried meat pulverized into a fine powder and mixed with rendered fat, pemmican is a calorically dense powerhouse that can revitalize even the weariest of adventurers. Customize your pemmican with finely chopped dried fruit for an added burst of flavor and nutrition. With its remarkable shelf life, pemmican is the ultimate survival food for challenging expeditions and harsh climates. Recipe to make this snack is below.
Ingredients
1 ¾ lb. Venison
¼ lb. bacon
1 cup dried berries
1 Tbsp salt
½ tsp Instacure No. 1
2 tsp black pepper
½ tsp ground mace or nutmeg
1 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp paprika
2 – 3 Tbsp sugar
¼ cup water
Instructions
- Grind the venison, bacon, and dried berries. If your meat is already ground, chop the dried berries finely and add them to the meat.
- Put the meat and berries in a large bowl and add the other ingredients. Mix with your hands until it’s well-combined.
- Put the mixture in a sealed, air-tight container and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.
- Take the refrigerated mixture and separate it into two or three portions if you’re using a jerky gun.
- Fill the barrel and squeeze out strips of meat for your jerky.
- Dehydrate at 150 degrees F until the strips are dry and chewy.
- If you’re using an oven, set it on warm with the door propped open a little.
- Leave it in the oven until the strips are dry, soft, and chewy.
Pemmican can last for a few weeks in the refrigerator and a little longer in the freezer.
Note: While strips are a handy size and shape for portability and snacking, pemmican can be made into any convenient shape.
5. Hudson Bay Bread: The Ultimate Granola Bar
For a sweet and satisfying treat that provides a burst of energy when you need it most, look no further than Hudson Bay Bread. This homemade granola bar combines butter, sugar, corn syrup, honey, and maple flavoring with rolled oats and your choice of chocolaty candy. The result is a decadent yet nutritious snack that’s perfect for refueling during long days outdoors. Bake a batch before your next adventure and enjoy the taste of wilderness bliss with every bite. Recipe for this snack is below.
Ingredients:
3/4 lb. softened butter
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup light Karo syrup
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp maple flavoring
3/4 cup ground nuts (walnuts)
9 cups Quaker 1-minute oats
Notes: You can modify the ingredients to include raisins, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla, or what sounds good.
Instructions: You may want to grind up the oats in a blender or food processor. Mix together all of the ingredients except the nuts and oats, in a large mixing bowl. Once it is all blended, stir in the oats and nuts. Make sure it is well mixed. Spread the mixture onto a cookie sheet with at least a 1/2-inch-high lip. Press the mixture down and pack it in until it fills the pan and is a smidge less than 1/2 inch thick. You’ll probably need a second sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove and press down with a spatula to prevent crumbling while it cools. (If you bake it too long, it gets hard and crunchy like a granola bar.) While it is still warm, cut it into 3-inch squares.
This is often eaten for lunch while canoeing or Hiking/Backpacking. Globs of peanut butter and/or jelly are loaded on top and eaten. It is a high-energy food that is great when you are burning lots of calories outside.
In conclusion, fueling your body properly is essential for staying energized and alert during outdoor excursions. By incorporating these hearty meal ideas into your backpacking or camping menu, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any adventure that comes your way. So, grab your gear, pack your provisions, and embark on a journey filled with flavor, sustenance, and unforgettable experiences in the great outdoors.
If you are wanting breakfast meals, check out this article: Breakfast Plan For Hiking
If you’re wanting dinner ideas, check out this article: 3 Dinner Meal Plans For Hiking
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