Cutlery from a Renewable Resource

Backpacker's "The Green Scene" recognized our Bamboo Mini Utensil Sets as a great piece of green gear:

Metal utensils scratch non-stick pots, and I find plastic melts around the fourth piece of french toast I'm flipping. But bamboo won't rip up non-stick pots, and unless you actually light it on fire, it'll flip your french toast, stir your spaghetti, and spoon cereal into your mouth for as many days on the trail as you can muster.

Those are just some of the reasons that I love Packit Gourmet's Bamboo Mini Utensil Set. This knife, fork and spoon set is made from bamboo, which is stronger than wood. Though bamboo has been getting a bad rap lately when it's processed into polyester, in its raw form (which this set is), it's from a quick-growing renewable resource with relatively low environmental impact. Bonus: it's small enough to nest in most cook sets (six inches long), a mere 0.7 ounces for the set, and a reasonable $6 at your local outfitter or online. packitgourmet.com

Gourmet Condiments & Green Utensils

Those of you that enjoy inventing your own recipes will be happy to hear that our extensive condiment selection got a mention in the BACKPACKER 2010 Gear Guide too! And don't forget the cooking gear - our Mini Bamboo Utensil Set is a great green alternative to teh standard eating utensils.


Condiments

Stop filching them from convenience stores on the way to the trailhead. They don't stock the good stuff anyway. For real gourmet add-ons, go to PackitGourmet.com, where you'll find balsamic vinegar, French fruit jam, Justin's nut butters, chocolate fudge sauce and more - all sold in individual packages made for the trail.


Bamboo Mini Utensil Set

This three-piece Bamboo Mini Utensil Set is safe for nonstick cookware, lighter than Lexan, plenty durable - and greener, since fast-growing bamboo is a renewable resource.

Five Essential Meals from BACKPACKER

Backpacker Magazine released their top Backpacking Essentials this month - a variety of products that make hiking and camping easier, safer and more comfortable. Included: "the best dehydrated dinner we've ever tasted" and four other meals from the Packit Gourmet line-up!

Tuscan Beef Stew

"The best meal I've ever had on the trail," says one tester. "If I was served this at a restaurant, I would have complimented the chef." Unlike so many camp stews, this one actually looks good - full of colorful vegetables like corn and carrots and tomatoes - and it's served atop creamy polenta. With the protein punch of the beef, it's also satisfyingly hearty after a long trail day. Serves 2, with bigger-than-average portions.


Cheddar Jack Cheese Spread

"Real cheese flavor, blended with spices and veggies, make this spread way more appetizing than I expected," says a tester whose family scarfed it in Rocky Mountain National Park. Bring your own crackers, tortilla pr extras to dip. Prep: Just add cold water.


Jump-Start Fruit Smoothies

"Exactly what I want in a breakfast," says one tester, "fast, no mess, great taste. It's like a creamy yogurt drink without a strong yogurt flavor, and you can really taste the fruit." And with 420 calories, 42 grams of carbs, and 35 grams of protein, this really can serve as breakfast. Testers' only wish: even more fruit chunks. Prep couldn't be easier: add cold water and stir. Comes in four flavors: Berry Berry (our fave), Tropic Fusion, Kiwi Berry and Eat a Peach.


All-American Burger Wrap

Why wait until after the trip to get that burger you're craving? "This actually tastes like it came off the grill," says one tester. The meat is a little crumbly but not dry; wrap it in a tortilla (BYO) with ketchup, mayo, mustard and relish (included in separate packets, so yes, you can have it your way). Testers also liked this company's deli-style Roast Beef Wrap.


TexMex Breakfast Taco

"The best dehydrated breakfast I've ever tasted," says a self-proclaimed food snob with more than 15 years of experience testing camp meals. "It has real-egg texture and flavor, and the tangy salsa has chunks of tomatoes and just the right amount of kick." The egg-potato-cheese combo has long lasting fuel, so we didn't need an energy bar an hour after leaving camp.

March Newsletter

Did you receive a copy of our newsletter? Catch up on all of our March news here.

Don't miss out on contests, new meals and grocery items, sales and other Packit Gourmet news! Sign up for our newsletter.

Featured in the March newsletter:

• Five Essential Meals from Backpacker Magazine
• Tuscan Beef Stew
• Cheddar Jack Cheese Spread
• Jump-Start Fruit Smoothies
• All-American Burger Wrap
• TexMex Breakfast Taco
  
• Grocery & Gear Get Nods Too!
  
• Condiments
• Bamboo Mini Utensil Set
  
• Cheesecake Extravangaza!
  
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Lemon Cheesecake
• Strawberry Cheesecake
  
• March Sale Items
• Ova Easy Egg Mix
• Freeze-Dried Okra
• Hot & Spicy Mesquite Smoked Dried Sausage
• Wisconsin Swiss Cheese
  

Portable Bananas

Our Banana Puddin' popped up in a recent blog entry by Backpacker's Trail Chef:


I'm about to invest in bubble wrap for my bananas. Regardless of how I package them, or how gently I transport them, they arrive at their final destination bruised and battered.

At home they are my go-to pre- and post-workout snack because of the promise of a little potassium, welcome sugar, a good dose of carbs and Vitamin B6 in a low-fat, low-calorie package. Not to mention they are low maintenance and tasty, in my opinion.

But every time I place a banana in my CamelBak, daypack, or messenger bag I inevitably (in no particular order) a) stuff my jacket and gloves into the same compartment as said banana b) lose an edge on my snowboard and fall on my back rendering said banana unrecognizable or c) forget about said banana in my pack of choice until the smell becomes unbearable.

This year I'm going to (try to) leave the whole, raw bananas behind with the help of these stable banana alternatives.

Packit Gourmet Banana Puddin'
www.packitgourmet.com
Classified as "Super EZ" this banana pudding features real bananas {it actually says "Banana" on the ingredient list}, coconut, and vanilla custard. It is a little higher in salt then I'd like, but all you have to do is add cool water to the bag and wait 10 minutes.


Check out the entry for other non-bruisable banana alternatives or invent a few of your own using our freeze-dried banana dices. There are endless possibilities: banana pancakes, banana smoothies, bananas dipped in fudge, bananas mixed into your trail mix....

Cheesecake Extravaganza!

We must have had a serious cheesecake craving this month (who doesn't?) because we came up with three amazingly delicious cheesecake flavors! We've paired each with a tasty gingersnap and pecan crust for three creamy, satisfying desserts.

We developed a delicious Pumpkin Cheesecake some time ago but just when we had it perfected, one of our main ingredients was discontinued (drats - we hate when that happens!) and we had to find the perfect substitute. We had all but given up hope when we happened across a replacement for our missing ingredient - and this one is even better than the original! Yum, yum, yum! Our reinvented creation threw us into a cheesecake frenzy and inspired two more mouthwatering flavors...

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin cheesecake isn't just for the holidays anymore! The two amazing flavors of pumpkin pie and New York style cheesecake come together in one delicious, easy-to-make backcountry dessert. Top that off with a crunchy gingersnap crust and you've got one tasty dessert!


Strawberry Cheesecake

This classic and unbelievably delicious combination of strawberries (organic!) and cheesecake is sure to be a hit around the campfire. A summery, rich dessert our strawberry cheesecake is a perfect ending to a long day on the trail.



Lemon Cheesecake

A tangy and refreshing dessert - tart lemons and sweet cheesecake come together in perfect mouth-puckering harmony in this zesty treat!

February Newsletter

Did you receive a copy of our newsletter? Catch up on all of our February news here.

Don't miss out on contests, new meals and grocery items, sales and other Packit Gourmet news! Sign up for our newsletter.

Featured in the February newsletter:

• Cook-In Cozy
  
• Leightweight Instant Meal Packets
  
• Instant Curry
  
• Japanese Whole Grain & Mushroom Porridge
  
• New Meal Alert!
  
• Southwest Black Bean & Corn Salad
• February Sale Items
• Freeze-Dried Tomato Chunks
• Coconut Cream Powder
• Bonne Maman Raspberry Preserves
• Boar's Head Hot Abruzzese Dry Sausage
  

Thanks Jetboil!

The Jetboil team served up samples of our Austintacious Tortilla Soup at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and we'd like to give them a big THANK YOU!

The Jetboil Personal Cooking System holds the perfect amount of water for our 2-serving Austintacious Tortilla Soup and brings it to a boil in just minutes!

The Jetboil team was able to boil up many a package of tortilla soup and handed out samples to convention goers. A delicious treat on a chilly January day!

Introducing the Cook-In Cozy

Our insulated Cook-In Cozies are the perfect complement to our Trail Meals, Cook-In Bags and your own backcountry menu creations! These cozies retain about 10% more heat than an uninsulated bag resulting in the perfect steep-cooking environment; faster rehydrating and a better serving temperature meal. PLUS they squash down nicely in your pack for storage and the bright color makes them easy to spot. Their insulating properties also makes them good for keeping lunches cool or protecting "bruisable" items.

• Lightweight
• Easily fits our largest Cook-In Bag
• Vinyl fabric wipes clean inside and out
• Secure velcro closure
• Standup-gusseted design helps stabilize meal pouches while steep-cooking
  
• Front pouch can store cooking/eating utensils
• Convenient carrying handle
• Bright color helps to find cozy in backpacks and low-light situations

Minutes Passed	With Cook-In Cozie	Without Cook-In Cozie
1	195°	195°
2	195°	192°
3	195°	191°
4	194°	190°
5	192°	190°
6	192°	189°
7	190°	188°
8	190°	184°
9	190°	183°
10	190°	181°
11	190°	180°
12	188°	180°
13	188°	180°
14	188°	179°
15	188°	178°
16	188°	175°
17	188°	173°
18	188°	171°
19	187°	170°
20*	187°	170°

*Heat loss is three times greater without the Cook-In Cozy

Best Gear of 2009: Calipidder’s Top Ten

Yes, we're on the list! Here's what Calipidder has to say about us:

3. Packit Gourmet Foods

I discovered Packit Gourmet sometime last spring and put in an order for my summer food supply after reading some very positive reviews of their meals. Last year’s list included Enertia Trailfoods which I still do like, but I found myself getting a bit burned out on their stuff even though I still enjoy it far more than other backpacking food. Packit Gourmet offered some variety and interesting options that I hadn’t seen before so I eagerly tried it out, ordering several different types of meals. The first thing I tried was their Austintacious Tortilla Soup, and it was so good upon arriving home from that trip I immediately ordered more. I’ve gone through many other of their offerings and I have yet to find something that isn’t yummy. I can’t believe I’d say this about any kind of backpacking food, but I swear I could eat their meals at home for regular dinner and be perfectly happy and satisfied.

*Calipidder.com offers trip reports, photographs, and gear advice for exploring California’s parks and remote backcountry on foot. Based in Silicon Valley, Calipidder.com is owned and written by me, Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd, a technology geek and backpacking addict. This site focuses primarily on backpacking, with a healthy dose of dayhiking, peak bagging, geocaching, photography, and miscellaneous other outdoor sports.