[Philmont]: Cooking at Philmont, another idea

Don,
 
Let me share another cooking idea with you and the list. I ordered several
of the left over meals from Philmont just to find an easier way to cook
rather than the "all in one pot" method. I also wanted to find a way to
leave all of the big pots behind that I possibly could. I ordered one of
each supper they still had in stock since it was the main "cooking required"
meal. The supper I prepared on this past weekend training hike had two
entrees: 3 bean chili and mashed potatoes with bacon bits. The desert was
vanilla creme or something similar that only required cold water. We mixed
the desert up in the original bag. First thing I done was to pour the
ingredients into two separate quart size zip lock bags. I know "zip lock"
is a brand name but hopefully all will understand what I mean by that term.

 
I used the type with a zipper instead of the press and seal type. I used a
coke can stove and 3/4 ounce of denatured alcohol to boil just the right
amount of water and poured the boiling water into the zip lock bags. Stir
the ingredients around with a spoon and squeeze all the air out as you zip
it shut. Let it sit the required time and enjoy straight from the bag. Of
course you have to be careful not to puncture the bag so plan ahead to sit
it on something smooth (i.e. the original bag). With this method the only
cleanup needed is the spoon. When sharing with someone who doesn't want to
eat after or with you, the servings can be divided after cooking into
individual bowls or plates.
 
Using two or three coke (or Pepsi) can stoves the meals could be cooked
almost simultaneously and the same cycle used for cleanup. A huge weight
savings also over the usual method.
  
The zip locks bags are "squeezed & licked clean" and all put inside of a
main garbage bag which goes in the "yum-yum" bag. First chance you get,
dispose of it and all your compacted garbage in the approved manner.
 
I know some of you will not believe that boiling water can be poured in a
plastic zip lock bag but it can. I have pictures of the steps I described
above if anyone is interested. We have used this method on the AT and on
various outings. It has not failed once. We have never punctured a bag or
had anyone harmed using this method. It is much more efficient than any
other method I have ever seen.
 
The only time tempers ever flared in my crews at Philmont was when someone
burned or undercooked supper. This method eliminates someone else being
responsible for anyone else's meal. It gets everyone involved and as you
said promotes active fellowship while the boiling, cooking, cleaning is
going on. Do you have to be careful using this method? You sure do but the
benefits outweigh the risk, IMO.
 
YMMV and probably will. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Email me
privately if you'd like to save clutter on the list.

Wayne White

CC Troop 222, Moulton, AL.

Philmont 92, 96 and 03.

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Received on Wed Apr 23 06:31:11 2003