Nov 16 2008
Have snacks, will travel
I've been thinking a great deal about snacks lately. With all the camping and running around we have planned, I have to make sure to have snacks packed and ready to go. You never know when the kids will want to have something to eat or drink, and popping into a fast food place usually isn't practical and it's hardly healthy. (My philosophy is that trips to McDonald's are special treats, only to be indulged in once in awhile.)
Though I do have a couple of nice insulated bags, I need to find foods that won't go bad in the summer heat. I also want something that's tasty, inexpensive and healthy, which rules out most of the processed chips, crackers, and fruit snacks at the store.
Well, what about GORP? (For those of you not familiar with the backpacking staple, GORP -- Good Old Raisins and Peanuts -- is a mixture of dried fruit and nuts.) Some folks like to add corn nuts, goldfish crackers, Chex cereal, Rice Krispies, and/or chocolate. Since Lucie's allergic to peanuts, we won't be using them, but the kids do like dried fruit and other kinds of nuts. I'm going to experiment this summer and come up with a mix that we all like.
Then there's fruit leather. With strawberries in season and a hydrator in the kitchen cupboard, I have no excuse not to try to make some. Here's an easy recipe from "More Backcountry Cooking" from Backpacker Magazine.
Strawberry-Apple Fruit Leather
(Makes 5 large pieces)
1. Clean and hull 16 oz. of strawberries, and puree in a blender.
2. Add 14 oz. of no-sugar-added apple sauce.
3. Blend until you have an even consistency and add water as needed.
4. If using an oven, spread mixture 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick on a nonstick cookie sheet.
5. If using a dehydrator, cover trays with a layer of plastic wrap, then spread.
6. Dry at 130 to 135 degrees F until the puree is leathery and there are no small pockets of moisture. Drying time varies, but averages 8 to 10 hours for thin leather and up to 48 hours for thick leather. (Tip: Before the puree is done drying, but when it is leathery enough to peel from the tray, lift it and then set it down again. You'll have an easier time removing it later.)
7. Roll in wax paper or plastic wrap.
Serving idea: Spread them with low-fat cream cheese, roll them up and eat them like a burrito, or slice into snack sized pieces.
