hiking and camping

I bought this book for my husband's elk hunting trips. The book is only 1/2-inch thick, yet it gives lots of ideas for healthy cooking at camp (or offshore) when you reduce your cooking gear to only one pot or pan to save weight and space. The recipes are sorted by the type of pan best suited for them (fry pan vs. pot).

It discusses what mixes or preparation can be done before leaving home, how to pack the food for hiking, and how to rig a bear bag to keep the food safe from varmints. Mr. Jacobson even shows how to build an oven from a 3-pound coffee can. My husband likes the checklist of essential kitchen tools and spices.

For the non-cook, Mr. Jacobson has included recipes for scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs and fresh coffee. However, this little book also includes more exotic recipes such as Calcutta Chicken and Red-Eye Stew.

Mr. Jacobson's fare is geared to a 2-night outing, allowing him to carry fresh food rather than rely on dehydrated food.

It's a useful little book, one that stashes easily in the truck or boat. Camping out doesn't have to mean hot dogs and beans!