Out with the oats – there are other easy staples on the horizon that can help make your mornings out on the trail a little less predictable.
A new look at breaking the fast. (Photo: M.Kopp)
Try a little rice
That’s right, rice! Not plain white minute rice, most stores carry instant brown rice these days (or you can cook and dehydrate your own brown rice if you prefer). Take some instant brown rice, add some raisins, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and mix together in a big ziplock. When you’re ready to cook, boil water (following amounts as listed on the box for cooking). Add rice mix to pot and turn off heat. Let sit for five minutes and get your bowl ready for something different.
Bulk up on bulghur
Wheaties stand aside – this nutty grain makes a tasty alternative to overdone oats. Bulghur wheat is a quick-cooking type of whole wheat. Bulghur needs to sit overnight in water, so follow amounts as listed on the package for water and set aside in pot while you snooze. In the morning, heat it up with a few sliced almonds, some dried cranberries and sugar to taste.
Chalk one breakfast up to couscous
Often referred to as a grain, couscous is actually a type of pasta and is a common staple in North Africa. By itself couscous is rather plain, but spice up a cup of this staple with a little cinnamon, sweeten it with honey, and bulk it up with chopped almonds and a handful of chopped apricots. Add powdered milk and you’ll have a fine way to break your fast. Just add hot water (following package instructions for cooking couscous) and let it sit covered for 10 minutes.
Get cooking with quinoa
Quinoa is an ancient South American staple that reportedly packs more protein than any other grain. Cook as per package instructions, adding some dried apples, raisins, cinnamon, powdered milk and top with brown sugar to taste.
Power up on potatoes
Bacon-flavoured hashbrowns may not a dieter’s breakfast choice at home, but on the trail – yummy! Combine dehydrated hash browns, powdered milk, powdered egg, a little flour, bacon bits, onion and pepper flakes, parsley, salt and pepper to taste in a plastic ziplock. Add water. Cook like pancakes.
What’s on your backpacking breakfast menu?
