5 Easy Dinner Ideas to Cook on Your Hiking Stove

!±8± 5 Easy Dinner Ideas to Cook on Your Hiking Stove

So what do you cook on your hiking stove? Obviously you want lightweight foods that will last for as many days as you are hiking. There are many things you can do and here are a few ideas.

Couscous

Couscous is a good idea for your dinner on a hike as the ingredients all keep well, they are nutritious and filling. It doesn't use much gas as all you have to do is boil some water and then add the couscous and let it sit. We normally put some dried apricots, dried tomatoes, and sultanas in the couscous. Then we would add some spices - cumin, coriander, salt and pepper... Take these in small zip lock bags.

Rice Risotto

As per couscous rice risotto is easy, filling and tasty. If you want the easy version then you can get a packet from the supermarket with the rice and the flavorings and dried veggies. Otherwise, take your own rice, spices, salt and some freeze dried veggies.

Stir Fry

We normally take some pre cut veggies (carrots, capsicum, onion, zucchini) on our first day. Then our first dinner we have a stir fry and use the veggies, this means the extra weight is only for the first and second day and we don't have to worry about keeping fresh for longer than that. If you take them pre-cut this will reduce weight and rubbish. All you need for the stir fry is the veggies, oil, soy sauce, (sachet?), ginger, garlic (we take these anyway) and some spices that you already have with you. Cook these up with the veggies and serve over some rice.

Fried Rice

Fried rice can be made with freeze dried veggies or your own if you use them on the first or second day. Cook the rice, and then cook the veggies in some oil. Add some garlic and ginger and soy sauce. If you have taken some sweet chili add some of this too. Add the rice and fry for a minute or two.

Noodles

Noodles are another easy option for hiking food. Make sure you get noodles that are very compact otherwise it uses up valuable space. This is a good gas saver as all you have to do is boil the noodles and you can add the rest afterward. You can add flavorings that you brought - garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sun dried tomatoes. Or you can bring some sachets.

We always take a freeze dried meal or two with us as well as a back up but we prefer to cook most of our meals form scratch. These are basic ideas that can be played around with. You can add your own extras to make them tastier. But anything you eat on a hike always tastes way better than it will at home! For storage ideas for spices and sauces we find either the small plastic zip lock bags great or you can use empty film canisters. Both are small and easy to pack! Enjoy cooking on your hiking stove!