The New Trailside Cookbook: 100 Delicious Recipes for the Camp Chef

by Kevin Callan, Margaret Howard

An essential cookbook packed with easy, lightweight, high energy, gourmet recipes and comprehensive outdoor cooking information for hikers, day-trippers, canoeists and wilderness campers. The New Trailside Cookbook is the result of a unique partnership between canoe enthusiast Kevin Callan and food and nutrition consultant Margaret Howard. With Margaret creating delicious, healthy recipes for the camp kitchen and Kevin providing the how-to information, it is a perfect match -- like having Red Green and Julia Child outside with you. Say goodbye to bland, canned meals and hello to satisfying, fireside dishes. This comprehensive book covers everything from making great camp coffee to variations of GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts), from foraging for wild edibles to mastering meals after the ice melts to living off the land. Hikers, kayakers, day-trippers, wilderness and interior campers alike will find options and advice in this handy, pocket-sized guide. Recipes clearly indicate what preparation can be done at home, making cooking at camp quick and easy. Dehydrated options (and detailed instructions) are listed for campers outstaying their cooler's capacity. Dishes include hearty morning starts like Peanut Butter Banana Muffins; easy lunches like Mushroom Quinoa Salad; quick pickups such as Apricot Sunflower Seed Cereal Bars; dinners that make the most of fresh catch, like Herb-stuffed Grilled Fish; and sweet endings such as Roasted Rhubarb with Honey and Rosemary. In addition, there is a section dedicated to cold-weather winter camping, and for those only outdoors for a day or two, a chapter on Weekend Gourmet is the place to go for special meals. Kevin's wilderness skills and Margaret's culinary experience combine in this book to please outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, levels and outdoor locations.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, Outdoors, Travel, Adult, Cooking

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2013

About the author

Kevin (aka The Happy Camper) is the author of 19 books; his latest being Another Bend in the River: The Happy Camper's Memoir. He is an award winning writer and a keynote speaker at outdoor events across North America. Kevin is also a regular guest on several television morning shows and CBC Radio. He has won several film awards, writes a column for Paddling Magazine and Explore Magazine. Kevin was listed one of the top 100 modern day explorers by the Canadian Geographical Society. He was also made Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada. Check out his web site at www.kevincallan.com and YouTube channel KCHappyCamper.

Reviews

[liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent reference if you do real camping. i’m firmly a weekend car camper, so it was a lot of overkill for me. the first few non-recipe chapters are a good resource though.

[Vanessa Ellermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an experienced camper who has always left the cooking to someone else. This book was right up my alley. If you're satisfied with eating pre-packaged, overpriced, freeze-dried, tasteless food when you're camping, this book is not for you. One of the authors is a serious outdoorsman while the other is a well-known cookbook author. They know their stuff and it's presented well. The book takes you through the entire process of food preparation, packing, cooking, storing, and packing out. It contains information on dehydrating fruits, veggies, and meat, which is something I would like to try. Readers will also appreciate vegetarian options.

[Shira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regardless of the type of camping/hiking trip you are planning this summer, this book is a great resource for planning your meals. From equipment to recipes, this book has it all. Because the author tried to focus on foods that can last without reliable refrigeration, there were several vegetarian options.

[Aja Marsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of this was meant for car camping. Fun, but not really what I'm after. Also, as usual for camping cookbooks, not overly vegetarian friendly.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginner info and photography.
I'm not that fancy of a food camper, even though I look forward to having an enjoyable rest time so some of the recipes were a little overkill for me.
Recipe photos would have been a little nice but well laid out text.

[Dom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular organization and information, a must buy!

[Taylor Worsham]

I liked this one. Clear instructions for classic, simple recipes.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has more information on how to reduce weight and pack for backpacking than what I was looking for. The recipes would work just fine for regular camping but I didn't see much that I felt like I NEEDED an actual recipe for.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing to really make this book stand out. Gave me two recipe ideas. Emphasis wasn't on lightweight, though there was mention of dehydration.

[Beata Kaznowska · Rating 1 out of 5]

These meals are not designed to be made in the backcountry. Marinading required for some recipes, questionable storage practices, and just not practical for bear country. A lot of these meals will attract wildlife. Instructions given to toss the marinade after use. I did appreciate the discussion about proper disposal of grey water - however production of grey water should be minimized. We should not be tossing anything in our wild places. And who brings pork chops into bear country? A lot of these recipes are designed for car camping or picnics within cities or in the comfort of your own backyard. Meal prep and cooking requires that you be within reach of a cooler, freezer, garbage bin, produces too much grey water and some wasteful products, produces meals that give off odours that will attract critters. Some information on dehydrating is useful. Surprised that wild foraging was encouraged. And the chapter on alcoholic drinks was odd.