🍝Make a Satisfying Backcountry Meal: Angel Hair Pasta with Dehydrated Meat Sauce

[@robertarensberry713]

Thank you. I’m in training, learning about the dehydration process.

[@KurtPapke]

Worth learning. Don’t be afraid to mix dehydrated food with off-the-shelf stuff (angel hair in this recipe), best of both worlds!

[@joshuana3708]

Sir you are amazing!

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks Joshua!

[@botanicaljones]

This was very helpful thanks

[@KurtPapke]

Jessica Jones thanks so much for letting me know Jessica.

[@bobbobbington6650]

the meal and the way you put the bag in the container so there is no clean up is brilliant. im doin all my backpacking meals this way from now on.

[@KurtPapke]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@jetlaggedchef6806]

Great video! I'm looking at provisioning effectively for circumnavigation in my sailboat. Hoping you have other videos as well!

[@samcee6990]

Ok that’s really cool.

[@ThePatrick42044]

That's a really good idea. Thanks...

[@xrayextra]

Very well done video! Direct and to the point. Thanks!

[@KurtPapke]

I appreciate the feedback!

[@climbhigh395]

cracking video buddie. been thinking of doing this for myself cheers

[@qs8787]

Very nice video, thank you

[@boudinrouge]

Merci :)

[@KurtPapke]

De rien!

[@MySonsMother]

Something I tested a couple years ago was cooking the angel hair a minute less than being done. Rinse. Drain. Use a fork to form into bird's nests. Dehydrate. Will reconstitute quicker. If you do a lot at a time it's advantageous. I also cook up a lot of white rice, lay it on the tray. Rinse really good. Let it drip dry a bit. Then dehydrate. Cheaper than buying it already done.

[@KurtPapke]

Makes sense. I don't find it necessary to precook the angel hair, and I can buy Minute Rice pretty cheaply at Costco

[@MySonsMother]

In an emergency, though, fuel is important.

[@KurtPapke]

@@MySonsMother Totally agree. The way I cook Angel Hair is to boil the water, add the noodles and turn off the gas. Let sit 5 minutes. Done. Unless you are cold soaking the noodles, I don't think you are saving fuel.

[@MySonsMother]

I don't know. Cooking 8 at once or 8 separately. Then dehydrating. Either will work. I did it to take to work for my half hour lunch or 15 minute break with a microwave that is shared. Thanks for sharing.

[@KurtPapke]

@@MySonsMother A hiking buddy on my road trip last month showed me how well it works to rehydrate the angel hair in the sauce. Just dump boiling water over the noodles + dried sauce and wait 20 minutes. Less futzing with separate bags that way.

[@slotortoise6166]

I like to cook and dehydrate my pasta at home too to save time and fuel when in camp! Thanks for your video!

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks for your comments! I know a lot of people pre-cook and dehydrate pasta - it's essential if using heavier noodles like shells. With the Angel Hair, it's simply not necessary, they cook in less than five minutes.

[@leebarker4207]

Very relaxing vid thanks,what rocket stove do you use?

[@KurtPapke]

I use a Jetboil

[@freyalocke5799]

Informative video, thank you Kurt.

[@KurtPapke]

I appreciate your feedback!

[@4ngelo213]

I was looking up dehydrating pasta... and the word sauce popped up after... had to follow through with that one haha THANK YOU FOR THE IDEA

[@KurtPapke]

You're welcome Eric. FWIW, this is still my favorite trail meal.

[@irenekonik49]

thank you will try

[@ze-man_2252]

Never thought of eating out of the ziplock...great idea...no mess...I will definitely try it.

[@KurtPapke]

It doesn't work with all meals, but it sure saves a lot of cleanup particularly if you are dry camping.

[@jpstubblebine]

Great video, thanks!

[@KurtPapke]

+jpstubblebine Glad you found it useful!

[@buynsell365]

That looks great. I am thinking of doing the same for my sailing trips. You obviously have this down to a science. LOL

[@KurtPapke]

I do, sorry. It is my favorite meal. I've given the bug to several of my friends, and it's now their favorite backpacking meal too now.

[@crochazyrose3023]

WOW you will make a woman very happy knowing how to cook and hike ! lol

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

Goodness, I recently saw the Handmaid's Tale, and your username and pic with red and white outfits has quite the effect! 😛 :)

[@toastrecon]

Any idea how long the hamburger/sauce mix would last in its dehydrated state if it were kept in a cool (but not refrigerated/frozen) dry place? Say, if I were to vacuum bag it? Thinking of food storage/emergency pack.

[@KurtPapke]

Depends on how well you rinse the fat off. The biggest constraint is the meat, so what you could do is buy some freeze-dried ground beef that has a long shelf life.

[@Brad-99]

👍thx bud!!

[@KurtPapke]

Brad Prentis you bet Brad

[@anjosanchez]

Hey Kurt, great video and thank you for sharing the info! What do you think is the long term shelf life of the dehydrated spaghetti sauce when vacuum sealed in a mason jar?

[@KurtPapke]

+Anjo Sanchez That'll depend on the dryness and fat content. I wouldn't keep it more than a month or so. I store mine in the freezer where it stays fresh indefinitely.

[@MySonsMother]

I dried sauce real good and powdered it. I think the sauce, with no oil can last much longer. The meat, maybe a month. I've read where backpackers put it into the freezer until ready to go on a trip and mail packets to mail drops along their journey.

[@JosephineG101]

I really enjoyed your informative video.... Can you please tell me the make of your camp stove/pot and where I could get one. Thanks

[@KurtPapke]

JoSachSevak Kaur it's a Jetboil. You can find them at most outdoor stores like REI or online.

[@JosephineG101]

Thanks Kurt - I'll go check Amazon.

[@Gollammeister]

Mine was prob too thick and even after 6hrs at 60 degrees Celsius it was still sticky lightly surface wet so have had to Wang it back on for another 3 hrs def looking into a proper dehydrator

[@KurtPapke]

I generally just let mine dry overnight, often for 10-12 hours.

[@Gollammeister]

What model make is your dehydrator?

[@KurtPapke]

It’s so old they don’t make that one anymore. It’s an American Harvest.

[@charleseden5246]

Where did u get the dehydrator...which brand....thanks...love you videos...just sub'd

[@KurtPapke]

It is almost 40 years old, the company that made it is long gone, but it's similar to the Nesco Snackmaster. Thanks for subbing!

[@charleseden5246]

@@KurtPapke nice....thanks!

[@souperjen24]

How long did you dehydrate everything for? I only heard you say "the next morning". Also, how many cups of meat and sauce did you put in each bag? And would it be possible to cook the pasta at home and rehydrate on the trail? Thanks!

[@KurtPapke]

Dehydration time was about 15 hours. I divided the result equally into 5 meals. Yes, you can precook the pasta and rehydrate. If you are using thicker pasta like shells, etc. that makes good sense. Little need to do so with angel hair however.

[@amandas8510]

Thank you so much for this how-to video, you make it look so easy! I can't wait to try this. Question: About how long will this last before eating? Thanks!

[@KurtPapke]

Good question. I keep mine in the freezer where it will keep indefinitely, but it should last for months at room temperature. The biggest issue is the small amount of fat going rancid, which is why freezing extends the shelf stability.

[@amandas8510]

Hi Kurt, Thanks so much for your reply! This will be a great addition to our meals! Loved your videos, really helpful! We are backpacking the JMT this summer, our first big trip by ourselves and friends (no guide this time) and we are excited for the new adventure. We'll sure be thinking of you when we are enjoying some delicious, warm spaghetti out on the trail!

[@cybergypsy6380]

What was the cost per meal

[@cybergypsy6380]

@@KurtPapke No, the pasta video...the cost of your dehydrated Angel Hair Pasta per meal... for backpacking

[@KurtPapke]

CyberGypsy sorry for the confusion. I’d guess it’s about $2 per serving, but I make a very large serving, would serve two if it was a commercial meal. Most of the cost is in the bison meat - even at Costco it ain’t cheap.

[@GarouLady]

I find using hot water gets more grease out and running some dish soap in the sink keeps the grease from congealing on the outtake pipes and clogging your system. I dehydrated beef a long time ago and its so tasty on the trail! Just wondering what kind of dehydrator do you have and what did you pay for it?

[@KurtPapke]

Great comments, thanks! I have an ancient American Harvest unit that I bought at a closeout sale at their outlet in Chaska Minnesota. We bought two of them and paid like $30 each! Both units are still chugging away decades later.

[@MySonsMother]

I think you can still buy a Gardenmaster snackmaster or whatever it's called, on Amazon. I bought one year before last. They might still sell them at Bed Bath and Beyond, where I bought additional trays.

[@Livetoeat171]

Doesn’t vegetable spray go rancid?

[@KurtPapke]

Never had a problem, but if you kept it long enough it probably would. I use very little.

[@TheNicatator]

Great video. How much do each one of the meals weigh? Is that a single person meal you made?

[@KurtPapke]

Good question. Each meal weighs about 254g or 9 oz. Single person meal (for me).

[@tiptopTofu]

Have you had hamburger or sauce go bad on you before? How quickly do you eat the meals after packaging them?

[@KurtPapke]

+tiptopcheese Good question. I've kept them for 3-4 months in the freezer. After making a batch, I just throw the whole mess into the freezer and take out the meals I am taking with me the day before I leave. No problems.

[@tiptopTofu]

Sounds good, Thanks for the reply. I'm going to give this a try with my garden marinara!

[@Livetoeat171]

How can you dehydrate meat, when if you leave meat out on the counter all afternoon it’s dangerous to eat? Won’t it start getting bacteria on it during the time it’s still moist and also warm enough temperature that it might be dangerous?

[@KurtPapke]

People dehydrate meat all the time safely. I dehydrate at high temperatures that kill bacteria.

[@Canoecamper]

Reason for not cooking/dehydrating angel hair pasta at home?

[@KurtPapke]

No need. Pour boiling water over it in the backcountry, and it’s ready in a few minutes. Same procedure that you would use to rehydrate/heat dehydrated cooked pasta. Make sense?

[@flashmanv3260]

great video. Just mentioning this because you made a point of meat being grass feed and healthy. I would skip the pan and use some veg oil. Pam has Dimethyl silicone in it,.. My GF is a nutritionist and she puts up with me bringing some less then healthy food into the house, she just rolls her eyes,.. but pam is on the "no list" Look froward to trying a few meals, thanks

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks, I checked and Pam does have silicone in it. I'll use pure veg oil next time.

[@recoveringsoul755]

Kurt Papke i found spray olive oil. Need to read those ingredients i guess.

[@pjholmes8715]

Please make a rehydration video of these same items

[@KurtPapke]

Rehydration/cooking starts at 8:13 in the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJjWgo2wnNB5Z7s

[@squirrelcovers6340]

Wash the meat, call the PLUMBER 😂😂😂😂

[@KurtPapke]

Yeah, typically don't rinse the meat anymore, just pat dry with a paper towel.

[@randyking9138]

A quicker way to cook the meat for dehydrating is to boil it. Keeps it's flavour and doesn't harden up. Less to rinse also.

[@KurtPapke]

Randy King interesting idea. Never heard of that technique. Will have to try it!

[@randyking9138]

@@KurtPapke We grew up poor and that way we could buy cheaper hamburger and boil the extra fat off and make it healthier. It's and old technique from Nova Scotia

[@MrPisster]

Isn't it bad to cook inside a ziplock bag? Like BPAs and plastic chemicals getting into the food?

[@KurtPapke]

I have seen no evidence or studies that indicate anything bad comes out of a freezer bag from putting boiling water in it. In fact, there is a whole school of thought for backcountry cooking called "Freezer Bag Cooking" that employs this technique. If it worries you, just heat it up in your cook pot.

[@recoveringsoul755]

Kurt Papke we put mountainhouse meals into freezer bags when we did Mt. Whitney to conserve on space. Kept the moisture pak and directions.

[@carlosabellanosa5831]

Hi Kurt, I really enjoyed and learnt a lot from this video, I´ll give a try it for this weekend. However, I was surprised to see you adding hot water in a plastic bag to rehydrate the meal. There are some sites that warns to do that due to toxins coming out when heat the plastic and gets mix with the meal. Check out on internet about that, maybe Ziploc is not that kind of plastic, but we try to avoid to put warm meals in plastics any time. Best

[@KurtPapke]

+Carlos Abellanosa It's a great meal. Yes, I have looked into the Ziploc issues. I use freezer bags, which are safe to pour boiling water into. You cannot "boil the bag", but adding hot water is safe. If there is a need to boil the bag there are special bags that can be purchased for this.

[@psyamok3735]

You went through all the trouble dehydrating food I thought you enjoy light weight backpacking? Then why do you use the Jet boil? Why using a heavy cook system?

[@KurtPapke]

Good question. I put myself in the "comfort weight" category. I strive to keep the weight down, but not at the expense of enjoying myself. I dehydrate my own meals for better flavor and nutrition, not really so much for weight savings. I've tried every stove type imaginable, and invariably end up going back to the Jetboil because it's a joy to use. Hope this makes sense.

[@OB17358]

Baking parchment is better than wax paper (get wax in food).

[@KurtPapke]

I totally agree.

[@StacieDude]

Thanks for a great video. Just to share with everyone, do NOT use waxed paper in a dehydrator. It will melt and shrink up with your food you are dehydrating and you will have waxy food. not good. Thanks again for the video,

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks for sharing. I use parchment paper at times, that works well, but wax paper is a no-no!

[@CyberwizardProductions]

isnt that sprayed on cooking oil going to go rancid?

[@KurtPapke]

Haven't had a problem so far. I use very little. Also, store the dehydrated meals in the freezer until ready to go on your trip.

[@sailingsolar]

It possibly has some preservatives in it already to keep it from going bad in the can.

[@inadoan6634]

Look up what fat does to your plumbing pipes. You might want to stop draining any type of fat down your sink. Unless you want an expensive house call from a plumber.

[@KurtPapke]

Yup. I now just pat with paper towels.

[@Maxnelin42]

I don't think it's safe to dehydrate meet at that temperature. Pretty sure you need it closer to 155-160.

[@KurtPapke]

You need the higher temperature with raw meat for making jerky. In this case, the meat is already fully cooked, so the lower temperature is adequate. Good question though!

[@sailingsolar]

Also in your dryer location is a factor allowing shorter dehydration time.

[@YesdogLive]

Pouring saturated fats -- meat fats that are solid at room temperature -- into your sink is a great way to clog your pipes.

[@systemG3000]

Lawrence Godsey my father is a plumber you jerk

[@jakesnake253]

My father is dead you jerks

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

He said Arizona, so it's less of an issue in warmer climates, than colder climates