STOP eating freeze dried meals - Make THIS instead - My hike with a personal chef

[@hoser7706]

This is how you make your pack lighter snd trip brighter. Pack a petsonal chef, have them slog in the food AND cook it. Amazing trail hack Dan, thank you!!

[@glorgau]

Heck yes! It's even more stylish if you can get the personal chef to carry all of their kitchen stuff on their head.

[@masterofnone1481]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@super15071]

Chuck Wagon!

[@cabutler13]

I'm requesting a re-do. This time I want to see the food/prep stuff being unloaded and loaded into the backpack and I want to see the dishes being done. None of this Magic mess less Cooking. It looks yummy!

[@KinuGrove]

Nothing come for free :)

[@vslifeofcycles5415]

Great suggestion!!! Me too!

[@metropolitanpolice7334]

as a fellow chef and backpacker, even I'm thankful for all these recipes. just having something new to add to your collection of ideas is great

[@peggywilloughby8404]

Dan, this is my favorite video of yours, of all time. I absolutely loved it. I am not a backpacker, but I camp and I like to be prepared for emergency situations so I love your channel. But this video was gold. Thank you and your personal chef!

[@MrUnderScore81162]

I think you need to do more with Chef Corso. You and he are an awesome duo!

[@anderw2]

So I can stop eating freeze dried meals, by making friends with a 5 star chef that also likes backpacking.

[@uniktbrukernavn]

It's super easy everybody can do it, although you should start questioning the fresh ingredients on day 5 :)

[@williamjohnson4417]

@@uniktbrukernavn also pretty much everything was extremely inefficient in a calorie/weight/volume ratio. Probably won't have space in your pack to make it to day 5.

[@harveyarmbrust4094]

I went to a BSA High Adventure Team training which included a cooking course with a chef. The meals were great but.. with a lot of prep. I'm ashamed to say that I have not cooked any of the meals in the training. This inspires me again to try something besides the expensive freeze dried meals. Great location and photography. Dan, good to see you in the west!!

[@kazooduck]

sounds like you've bushwalked my path for me ;D any tips for someone going to Philmont and wants to get some cooking opportunities?

[@andrewpaisley]

Loved your reaction to the whole “Mushrooms grow in the forest so they don’t need refrigeration “. Absolutely hilarious.

[@kdavis4910]

Yes, hilarious and very endearing. Most also have anti bacterial and anti viral properties too so many don't easily rot.

[@vincentvega5686]

grocery mushrooms probably came from a farm grown on horse manure lol

[@wolfheartspirit97]

Lol his face 😂

[@ismetaga]

... and there are a lot of deadly-poisonous species which can be easily mistaken for edible ones. Theoretically all mushrooms can be eaten, but some of them can be eaten only once :)

[@douglasdoucette7352]

For sure, mushrooms may just dry out a bit in your pack over a couple of days. No worries there.

[@Spoonfuloftarot]

Love this. I made most of our meals before heading out on trail and we had all the AT hikers looking at us and I felt bad I didn’t have extra but love getting new ideas for the next adventure. Thanks!

[@msrvfx]

Dan, this is good to demonstrate. I've been doing this for about nine years, but I prep everything into a freezer bag cooking method.Rehydrate and eat out of a bag. I can pre-cook meat of choice or use jerky as mentioned. Regular Beef Stroganoff uses purple onions. Dehydrate. Add your own real spices and avoid a bouillon cube. Trick with freezer bag cooking is slice your dehydrated components thinner, so they rehydrate faster. Also, add more dehydrated milk of cream (mail order) to give it the creaminess you'd typically expect. You can put together just about any meal recipe for freezer-bag dehydrated cooking, get more nutrition, and taste better than any freeze dried store bought meal.

[@spageddy7840]

I don’t usually comment, but this is was an especially good video. Bring this guy back!

[@minigriffco]

I literally never comment... but this was a great vid, so I just have to say it 😁

[@GIRLplusDOGAdventures]

Next video should be how you guys are cleaning up all the dishes.

[@whoodiestyle]

With water and soap is optional.

[@Under-Kaoz]

The pleasure of Kayak camping, always able to wash my dishes easily.

[@LZ-un7ky]

🤣

[@shelm-b8p]

Bring some tortillas and use them to mop up the dishes. Then rinse with water. Please no soap in the wilderness. It will get into the water.

[@EdwardHurst2323]

With your Tongue

[@leeennddaa853]

Saw that he was using Qinline reusable bags for his food... tip: if you use the Stasher bags instead, they can withstand boiling water to be poured into them, so if you have a dehydrated meal you want to rehydrate in the bag vs cooking in the stove pot and having to deal with cleaning that out on trail, then these bags are clutch. 👍🏻 Another tip: use a food rehydrating bag cozy... keeps the meal hot while it's rehydrating (Also clutch). I prefer doing this method instead of cooking in the stove pot so that if I'm using my Jetboil the next morning to make coffee, I don't taste flavor remnants of last night's meal.

[@bukketkid2567]

Thank you for the advice. Are "stasher bags" the brand name? What size do you recommend using?

[@kdavis4910]

You guys have to remember that Dan is a weekend warrior, not a thru hiker. He therefore does things on trail that may seem foreign to some hiker, especially the long distance hikers 😉

[@leeennddaa853]

@@kdavis4910 I'm also a weekend warrior. The Stasher bags are perfect for folks like us, as I don't think they'd be as practical for a thru-hiker.

[@bukketkid2567]

Do you use the mini stand up stasher bags or medium size ones? I feel like the mega might be too bulky for backpacking but I can't really tell...

[@Tofu_Pilot]

@@kdavis4910 This is gold.

[@JayneFury]

Yes! This is my jam. I’ve only been backpacking for a couple of years now but I have slowly been incorporating fresh foods and wow! Chef is doing everything I need to get to the next level. Thanks Dan for boosting the signal.

[@k.whiking4372]

Now that was some inspiration, for the next hike. I did not realize you could rehydrate jerky effectively.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

You met him on trail? I discovered his channel a few weeks ago. I’m excited to try some meals.

[@CaffeinatedChrista]

DO MORE VIDEOS WITH THIS GUY!!!!!! ❤ Love backcountry cooking.

[@SouthernHike]

Dude this is a whole new level.

[@henrybowden9907]

A real eye opener. I've been trying to think of meals I can take that cost less and taste better than trail meals and this video along with the website have given me loads of great ideas.

[@tryagainjenn]

I'm new to backpacking and I'm sold on learning to take real food and ditch the dried!

[@shermer75]

I am so sick of freeze dried meals, this video couldn't come at a better time! Can't wait to try some of these ideas out!

[@denis65366]

The MSR windburner series cook system has a bigger head for actual cooking. A friend is a restaurant owner in cali and backpacker and reitred mountaineer talked me into getting one for group trips. Simmering sauces etc is so easy with the cook system. Thanks for the website recommendation and channel.

[@kristeniszler]

Perfect timing! I have a backpacking trip coming up here in a couple weeks!! 😊

[@uptopplumbing]

I'm excited for my very first camping trip at 55. I've been soo concerned about my "instant meals", but after seeing this post I know now that there are great options. I have subscribed to Chefs channel and look forward to getting great ideas. It takes a lot to fill me up and have purchased 2 two servings food packs for every meal. Let's hope I can find some recipes that can fill me up with just one.

[@BenMcmillen]

I'm pretty impressed. This is making me rethink how I backpack

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

you're only impressed because you were napping when I made Tacos. lol

[@BenMcmillen]

@@ItsGoodintheWoods true story. I watched the videos and I was like.... when did that happen?

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

@@BenMcmillen Hahahaha

[@musingwithreba9667]

Those all look soooo amazing! My mouth is watering. I have to make all my own backpacking meals because I have celiac and a bunch of food allergies so 99% of freeze dried stuff would kill me. And the selection here in Canada of pre-packaged foods I can eat is extremely limited, and ridiculously expensive! So I dehydrate all my own. I have a pretty darn good recipe for beef stroganoff too, that I dehydrate and take backpacking. For noodles I use spiralized zucchini 😁 It's up on my channel if anybody is interested. I love the idea of eggs benny on the trail. I'll have to figure out how I can make them so I can eat them. Challenge accepted! Now I'm heading over to Chef's channel to get some more ideas. I have a 2 week trip later this year and I don't want to only eat beef stroganoff the whole time 😉

[@majorheadache2263]

Last year I played around with lightweight recipes to cook, but it was still almost all rehydrating with some boiling water. This now makes me want to incorporate a few fresh items to bump up the nutrition levels a bit!

[@bjrritz1450]

Some great ideas. When my husband and I travel we cook most our meals. I am always looking new ideas. Thanks

[@timhayes1831]

Everyday Breakfast - chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds with cinnamon and whatever else u want to throw in. Cold soak or throw the hot water or hot chocolate to the mix in the morning.

[@jadenm]

Awesome video. Thank you for helping me decide what part of my backpacking experience I need to spice up.

[@danyelewill7178]

This is great! I’m a pescatarian and backpacking meals are a serious struggle for me. I’ve already this chef to all my media’s and I’m about to check out his website. I’ve been struggling for two years trying to make my own meals and still eat healthy. I worry much more about nutrients and shelf life than I do about carbs and weight. I hope I can finally up my meal game!!

[@rangerdoc1029]

Can you dehydrate the fish & rehydrate in the field? What about fish pemmican?

[@Theanwilliams]

Chinese and Asian food stores have a great variety of dried fish packets.

[@adamcates603]

This is great. I was expecting to watch this video and then complain that all of this stuff was going to be way more expensive than a typical freeze-dried meal. Boy was I surprised to see how easy and inexpensive each of these meals can be. Great stuff! :)

[@damarissanchez9040]

Love this video. Good food and beautiful scenery.

[@TheCulinary_Explorer]

hes low key a genius . With the pre packaged condiments , looked crazy good too and healthy .

[@kazromello]

Mushrooms in nature are now mad that Dan didn't know they were...in nature. And we just take them home. LOL

[@NinerK]

The mushrooms are at the campsite, their backs are packed, it’s time to send them home.

[@ancientoverland5387]

Wow dude, as a cook myself, this really really impresses me. Thanks! SO glad I subbed your channel!

[@tommyb5899]

Met Chef Corso and took a class at an Overland Expo last summer. Super cool guy… super awesome recipes! Definitely recommend you grab his cookbooks.

[@ms7fam433]

Dan, this is such a spoiled hiking trip. I'm so jealous. I wish I was so spoiled...Magnificent views, amazing hike, and the food looks great. Keep up the great videos.

[@Zicora]

I'm so excited for this. I'm always looking for new backpacking food ideas and can't wait to try some of these recipes out.

[@SonicAndTrippy]

How do I get this guy to join all of my backpacking trips and cook for me? 🤣

...pre selection and priorities while mating 😉

[@WanderingMonkHikes]

Dan, this is an awesome video. I’m so tired of store bought trail meals. Now a new world is opening up. Thanks!

[@yvonnesmith8245]

Everyone needs Chef Corso at their next backpacking adventure! Love it 😍!!

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

A man after my own heart. And very timely as I just dropped a video for dirtbag eggs Benedict. That pad Thai looked amazing(it all did!) and it was very inspiring to see when people make eating a part of their trip. I hope that you took things away with you that you utilise in your future adventures. My favourite video yet. THANKS

[@elizabethingram9784]

Dan, I love this! I don’t hear people talking about the SODIUM levels of the pre-packaged, processed, freeze dried, foods either. Not to mention that they’re super expensive. Vicious cycle when trying to go light. Subscribed. :)

[@Innovate-pq9ci]

Bouillon cubes are also full of sodium.

[@thelaziestninja86]

Don't you actually need extra sodium while hiking on the trail? Water alone isn't going to replace any sodium your body loses while sweating.

[@asmera4547]

accept the human body DOES need a certain level of sodium. So maybe it's ok?

[@Liberty4Ever]

Freeze dried meals are like Marge Simpson's pork chops - the secret ingredient is extra salt.

[@ryankeane8072]

I don’t eat freeze dried meals mainly because they’re expensive and I don’t take a stove, although I’d like to try some of the cold soak pre-made meals like Triple Peanut Slaw. The “high” sodium is not a concern - in summer trips, I suspect I’m actually usually not getting enough sodium from my food to balance what I’m losing in sweat, and usually take some salt sticks or chews.

[@Adam-yt8uz]

Please make more videos with this guy! Idk why but you guys together are super fun to watch, I could easily watch a whole series where you and hip backpack someplace and you share some tips for backpacking and he shares tips for meals

[@thecorporategypsy]

This was so helpful. I ate a pack backing meal and cause of the sodium got up TEN times at night to heed natures call. This was huge! I repeated some of these, beef stroganoff, and while it was not perfect WAY better. Thank you!

[@DanBecker]

🙌🔥

[@scottpiner2149]

This is awesome. Been looking for alternatives and this looks like the real deal! Thank you!

[@dukeraoul6090]

This is hands down your best video of 2021! Keep it up!

[@cadavisiii]

Could you guys do a more regular camping and cooking series? Topics could include barbecuing and steaks on trail fires and camp stoves, food storage and prep, foraging etc

[@baldmi3603]

I enjoyed watching this video. Chef Corso and Dan Becker great stuff. Thank you.

[@deedeesmith4]

So far my favorite video from you!

[@WakeUpMatt]

Dude! This was awesome! And now I’m starving!😄

[@jamesh6411]

Perfect timing on this. New to Keto and I can no longer do any of the easy backpacker meals. Great ideas. Thanks!

[@MK_ULTRA420]

For keto I've found that it's even easier, and I don't even have to cook or do any meal prep beyond making wraps. Summer sausage, spam, cheese, fish and liver pate is all I need on a hike, with tortillas to make wraps; pick the lowest-carb option you want. I use white flour tortillas because I'm not actually trying to enter ketosis I just dislike eating carbs as a staple food on a hike. Meanwhile every grain requires cooking or soaking and they take up more room in the backpack for the same amount of calories compared to fat & protein.

[@iant720]

@@MK_ULTRA420 How do you keep your wraps fresh when going on a multi day hike?

[@MK_ULTRA420]

@@iant720 I usually just make the wrap before eating. I've only had a problem with the last tortilla having a mold spot after 11 days of hiking.

[@iant720]

@@MK_ULTRA420 Wow!! Everything keeps that well? No Vac sealing or anything?

[@MK_ULTRA420]

@@iant720 I rarely hike in humid weather, and I don't bring fruits & veggies so everything keeps pretty well in its own packaging.

[@bristolrovers27]

Brilliant video, I like to eat well when out in the open air but have been exploring the cook it at home and pack in a boil-in-the-bag option. Definitely going to check out the chef's channel, got be some inspiration there

[@bohunker1]

Wow! Wonderful content and ideas, I want to order all his cookbooks.

[@voicelessmango5362]

This is what I have been looking for!!!!! so tired of only seeing recipes that require a dehydrator or meal plans that are just bagged meals.

[@kasperkragkristiansen7927]

That was such a good video, and it gave some much inspiration!!! Great idea and video, you keep delivering

[@douglasdoucette7352]

One of my fav vids of yours so far. I'm a foodie & love to experiment on the trail with dried food, fresh food, hot meals, cold soaking, etc. Have never used a Mtn House or similar dehydrated meal as I've always dried my own food at home. Looking forward to discovering new recipes on Chef Corso's site.

[@rbeaubien7868]

Great meals. Loved the chop sticks with the pad tai. Checking out his channel for summer hiking food.

[@hifihiker]

This deserves much more than a thumbs up! Loved the video!! Felt like I was there. Love your content, Dan. I'll keep looking through the comments, but I would love to know the specific trail you were on, looked amazing!

[@DanBecker]

West rim

[@donreinholz8121]

That was pretty cool. Please list some recipes for us so we can try them out too.

[@DanBecker]

Link for the recipes is in the description

[@krislott1999]

What trail in Zion did you guys make the pad Thai? That was awesome! Thanks

[@DanBecker]

West rim

[@krislott1999]

@@DanBecker sweet thanks! Keep up the great videos!

[@justrusty]

Great to get more ideas. Even if I loved prepackaged meals, my upcoming 7 week hike couldn't be supported by those alone (or even for more than a few meals from them.)

[@bigwashburn]

First season bike-packer, been using your vids for my gear purchases. Great info! Thanks from Northern WI.

[@jannah4288]

Wow, he made those look so easy. Healthy and yummy without all the sodium, great.

[@andydickson5400]

What a great find. will be trying some of the recipes real soon...

[@MudWalker]

I luv the creativeness that backpackers come up with when it comes time for meals! Besides everything looking delicious I kept thinking about the clean up, I would have liked to have seen that part. For me, I have gravitated towardsthe boil-n-bag m method which simplifies the mess of clean pots and pans, etc. Thanks for the video!

[@richbanister]

Chef Corso! His recipes have been handy (and tasty) on my camping trips. Check out the carbonara!

[@LydJaGillers]

and I'm sold. need the cookbooks STAT!

[@wolfheartspirit97]

Love the video, I always thought the best part of camping is taking in the view and cooking up food with your friends around a campfire

[@iwicaks]

Thank you for enlightening us! This is awesome!!!

[@revy_moto]

Good job chef!

[@1990westfalia]

I’m heading to Wyoming mountains later this month and I’m going to try Chef’s Beef Stroganoff recipe. Cheers.

[@r.a.wskillsadventuresandbu5571]

This is amazing I will be checking him out for sure.

[@natashajohnson186]

Good on ya guys .

[@jimioutback]

Pad Thai looks awesome. Limes, noodles, peppers and peanuts all travel quite well. Where was your hiking Dan, that looks awesome too; Zion rocks! (Wildcat, West rim?) Ta

[@Journey2Wellness]

Love this! Super inspiring, Thanks to you both.

Very very nice done!!!👍🏻 Moral is much more important then the 2 extra ounces of weight you could save! ...one small suggestion i would have, please stir the food with a wooden or bamboo spoon in the aluminum pot... First it minimize the burn on the bottom because of the surface scratches and it's healthyer then eat the aluminum shavings 😉 Greetings from a german in Taiwan 🙋🏼‍♂️

[@a.ramosakadrumgrl6677]

Thank you for this video, these recipes look so delicious. I will be trying these! Thank you Chef Corso!

[@JadeAkelaONeal]

Fun fact! You don't need chopsticks for pad Thai, they use a spoon and fork in Thailand. 🧡

[@billwilliams2056]

I want to go on one of these trips with the personal chef!

[@bigmannlittlehammock257]

Trail chef, what an awesome idea!

[@laineseely7676]

Thank you. Kind of inspired to do better on my trips.

[@hobofab]

Still looks like more work than it's worth. I'll stick with my no cook options when hiking but definitely a fun idea for a camping trip. Another great video Dan!

[@Kevinschart]

Definitely more work than it's worth. If I want to eat like a king I'll stay home and make a grocery run. Part of the beauty of being in nature is the simplicity of it all. I can't be bothered to drag out fresh mushrooms, asparagus and snow peas. I'd be happy with jerkey, biscuits, and coffee.

[@noneyerbusiness203]

Awesome video! Tx a lot.

[@reneehadala2231]

That is amazing, way healthier than I normally eat! Wow!

[@TheChefmike66]

Thanks for this!

[@BillOweninOttawa]

Slicing? ON A ROCK???? I can't even.

[@xpd77]

The food looks great and all but WOW, that hike looks amazing! What trail is this? Start and end points? I need to put this on my list.

[@rDigital2A]

I love this guy. Everyone likes food.

[@debrascheer4577]

I love Zion national park so beautiful there. Some day I hope to hike it

[@EspenFrafalne]

I got a dehydrator almost a week ago, and WOW! I LOVE having access to pre cut vegetables that i can take just the amount i need. No more being stuck with half an onion or half a can of corn, or half a pack of carrots or potatoes or mushrooms that i need to use quickly before it spoils..! And making a meal is as easy as making a simple gravy (butter, flour, water, and spices), dilute it with the amount of water the dry ingredients need to soak up, and bring it to a boil. I then just add the diluted gravy and the pre cut dry ingredients to my food thermos, shake it up, and wait for it to rehydrate. I REALLY like the consistency and flavor of my sliced potatoes when i make it like this 💯👍

[@andyhall4599]

The Pinnacle Foods you recommended previously was amazing with their Chicken and Dumplings. Best backpacker food i have had to date.

[@maguiremk]

Fantastic

[@OldPackMule]

Fantastic for shorter trips.

[@FatalP3rfection]

Literally did this hike 3 weeks ago. Even stayed at some of the same sites. It's amazing to see how much things changed in that amount of time! Also those meals look tasty. :)

[@chris_paulo]

Maybe I missed him mention it, but what hike is it?

[@douggibson9084]

Yummy video Dan

[@ChurroWaffles]

I’ve always wanted to do backpacking but the meals are always the biggest thing for me when it comes to camping so I might just snag his book to see what I can come up with.

[@T25de]

10:00 What a kitchen! Great find boys!