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Dirty Gourmet: Food for Your Outdoor Adventures
A campfire baked brie appetizer. Spicy miso ramen for dinner. Skillet apple pie with cognac butter for dessert. Doesn't that sound better than hot dogs for your next family car camping trip? How about making your rock climbing lunch break a culinary delight with lentil farro salad or a pressed sandwich made extra zippy with a layer of cilantro jalapeno pesto? Need fuel to face a cold morning in the backcountry? Try a twist on a familiar favorite with a summer sausage pesto omelet or enjoy something completely new like breakfast couscous with dates and tahini.
It takes only a pinch of planning to make delicious, real food part of your adventures, and the trio of women who created Dirty Gourmet are here to show you how it's done. Believing that great food is an integral part of a memorable experience in the outdoors, chefs Aimee Trudeau, Emily Nielson, and Mai-Yan Kwan tell you how to plan, what to prep ahead, and what to pack, so that by the time you settle in around the campfire, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your wilderness getaway.
Dirty Gourmet emphasizes fresh ingredients and global flavors for hearty breakfasts, portable lunches, creative dinners, satisfying snacks, easy appetizers, and refreshing drinks - and incorporates plenty of options for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. On the Trail, Car Camping and Backcountry Camping sections make it simple to select from more than 120 recipes, so no matter what your destination you'll ind the recipe you need for your next adventure.
It takes only a pinch of planning to make delicious, real food part of your adventures, and the trio of women who created Dirty Gourmet are here to show you how it's done. Believing that great food is an integral part of a memorable experience in the outdoors, chefs Aimee Trudeau, Emily Nielson, and Mai-Yan Kwan tell you how to plan, what to prep ahead, and what to pack, so that by the time you settle in around the campfire, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your wilderness getaway.
Dirty Gourmet emphasizes fresh ingredients and global flavors for hearty breakfasts, portable lunches, creative dinners, satisfying snacks, easy appetizers, and refreshing drinks - and incorporates plenty of options for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. On the Trail, Car Camping and Backcountry Camping sections make it simple to select from more than 120 recipes, so no matter what your destination you'll ind the recipe you need for your next adventure.
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 6, 2018
42 people are currently reading
1290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 8, 2024
There are a lot of recipes from this book that I’d like to make.
For those who camp or backpack, they will eat well if they make recipes from this book and for those who can cook outdoors from home this is an excellent book for that too.
This is a good primer for what campers and backpackers will need for their trips.
Most of these recipes can also be made indoors and I found a lot to like. Given what a picky eater I am there were a lot of recipes that didn’t appeal to me but that is true for me with all cookbooks and there were plenty that looked delectable, enough so that I’d like to own this book.
I loved the “S’moresgasbord” section. Who knew we could make so many flavors of s’mores?! (There is a S’mores Cooler Cake recipe too!) I just have to list the s’mores: Classic, Maple Nut, Strawberries and Cream, Vietnamese Coffee, Dark Chocolate Orange, Milk Chocolate Ganache, Ganache, Salted Caramel Coconut, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Apple. The coffee and the strawberry and the orange chocolate look the best to me. I love this section and its creativity. Making different s’mores would make a fun (if messy) activity to do with kids. I’m sure the “cooks” could come up with even more flavors.
There are other sweet treats in there that also look good but most of the recipes that I’d like to make are savory. They include Black Bean Torta Rolls, Pie Iron Asparagus Turnovers, Ginger Chili Corn Fritters, Herby Red Lentil Spread, Cauliflower Potato Soup, Backpacker’s Samosas, Mac and Cheese, White Bean Chili Verde, Garlic-Pull-Apart Bread, Mushroom Pilaf. There are many more and some other good looking desserts. There are also recipes for drinks. The Tahini Hot Chocolate looks intriguing and delicious.
There are many gorgeous photos of the food and some of lovely outdoor settings.
Contents:
Recipe Index
Introduction: We’re on an Adventure Together!
The Guide:
Plantry
Camp Cooking Considerations
Meal Planning
Outdoor Cooking Techniques
The Recipes:
On the Trail Recipes
Car Camping Recipes
Backcountry Recipes
Staple Recipes
Appendix
Each section gives a lot of information.
This is an excellent book for vegans (and non-vegans who enjoy vegan food) who camp, backpack or do outdoor cooking in their backyards. It could also come in handy if/when the power is out, assuming some supplies are on hand or are available.
For those who camp or backpack, they will eat well if they make recipes from this book and for those who can cook outdoors from home this is an excellent book for that too.
This is a good primer for what campers and backpackers will need for their trips.
Most of these recipes can also be made indoors and I found a lot to like. Given what a picky eater I am there were a lot of recipes that didn’t appeal to me but that is true for me with all cookbooks and there were plenty that looked delectable, enough so that I’d like to own this book.
I loved the “S’moresgasbord” section. Who knew we could make so many flavors of s’mores?! (There is a S’mores Cooler Cake recipe too!) I just have to list the s’mores: Classic, Maple Nut, Strawberries and Cream, Vietnamese Coffee, Dark Chocolate Orange, Milk Chocolate Ganache, Ganache, Salted Caramel Coconut, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon Apple. The coffee and the strawberry and the orange chocolate look the best to me. I love this section and its creativity. Making different s’mores would make a fun (if messy) activity to do with kids. I’m sure the “cooks” could come up with even more flavors.
There are other sweet treats in there that also look good but most of the recipes that I’d like to make are savory. They include Black Bean Torta Rolls, Pie Iron Asparagus Turnovers, Ginger Chili Corn Fritters, Herby Red Lentil Spread, Cauliflower Potato Soup, Backpacker’s Samosas, Mac and Cheese, White Bean Chili Verde, Garlic-Pull-Apart Bread, Mushroom Pilaf. There are many more and some other good looking desserts. There are also recipes for drinks. The Tahini Hot Chocolate looks intriguing and delicious.
There are many gorgeous photos of the food and some of lovely outdoor settings.
Contents:
Recipe Index
Introduction: We’re on an Adventure Together!
The Guide:
Plantry
Camp Cooking Considerations
Meal Planning
Outdoor Cooking Techniques
The Recipes:
On the Trail Recipes
Car Camping Recipes
Backcountry Recipes
Staple Recipes
Appendix
Each section gives a lot of information.
This is an excellent book for vegans (and non-vegans who enjoy vegan food) who camp, backpack or do outdoor cooking in their backyards. It could also come in handy if/when the power is out, assuming some supplies are on hand or are available.
December 31, 2024
A lot of the recipes aren't dishes I'd like to eat, camping or not. But there were enough that I'd like to try to keep me interested. I look forward to trying some of them next time we camp!
September 4, 2023
Dirty Gourmet Plant Power: Food for your Outdoor Adventures by Aimee Trudeau, Emily Nielson, Maugham Katherine Kwan
This is a really good book on what you can take with you on camping trips and how to prepare your food, so your not taking more than you need because you will be putting your food into a backpack and having to carry it. Lots of recipes, and ideas. I will probably use some of the recipes and ideas but I won't be going camping, scared of the Bears🐻🐻🐻🐻
This is a really good book on what you can take with you on camping trips and how to prepare your food, so your not taking more than you need because you will be putting your food into a backpack and having to carry it. Lots of recipes, and ideas. I will probably use some of the recipes and ideas but I won't be going camping, scared of the Bears🐻🐻🐻🐻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2024
I look at a ton of cookbooks but I rarely review them. Usually if the word “gourmet” is in the title I pass right over it but this is Dirty Gourmet and I couldn’t resist. The book is well laid out with recipes on one page and a gorgeous photo on the next. Love the way the recipes are divided, On the Trail, Car Camping, and Backcountry Camping. Not going to claim this is the most practical guide to hiking and camping food but it is inspiring and it is a feast for the eyes.
August 23, 2023
This cookbook has fantastic recipes for not only any type of outdoor cooking, but also recipes you can use everyday. The vegan nutty parmesan seasoning is amazing and I sprinkle it over everything. Highly recommend!
March 27, 2025
Good book.
September 7, 2019
What a fantastic little cookbook! I'm always looking for good recipes for hiking and camping, and when I stated to browse this one in my local REI, I realized I had to take it home with me!
There's three main sections in this cookbook: Day Trips, Car Camping and Backpacking, and there's breakfast through dessert recipes for each. I've tried a couple out, and they're pretty great!
There are also meal planning tips and how to keep an organized kit for each type of situation.
If you want to elevate your camp cooking game beyond hot dogs and burgers, or your backcountry camping game beyond ramen, or your day hiking beyond a PB&J, this is the book for you!
There's three main sections in this cookbook: Day Trips, Car Camping and Backpacking, and there's breakfast through dessert recipes for each. I've tried a couple out, and they're pretty great!
There are also meal planning tips and how to keep an organized kit for each type of situation.
If you want to elevate your camp cooking game beyond hot dogs and burgers, or your backcountry camping game beyond ramen, or your day hiking beyond a PB&J, this is the book for you!
February 12, 2019
Delicious food and awesome instructions
Following the DG blog for a while, I have tried quite a few of their car camping and backpacking recipes. Several are now favorites that we cannot imagine a night in the woods without.
The book follows this delicious trend, and I really appreciate the packaging and dehydrating instructions. Recipes are simple to make on the trail, even if you forget the instructions as I've done!
The one caveat for new trail chefs is that you will likely need a dehydrator, but that would hold true for most diy trail food prep.
Following the DG blog for a while, I have tried quite a few of their car camping and backpacking recipes. Several are now favorites that we cannot imagine a night in the woods without.
The book follows this delicious trend, and I really appreciate the packaging and dehydrating instructions. Recipes are simple to make on the trail, even if you forget the instructions as I've done!
The one caveat for new trail chefs is that you will likely need a dehydrator, but that would hold true for most diy trail food prep.
January 19, 2021
great selection of recipes! leave the hot dogs at home and try something new.
May 10, 2023
Great recipes to try and amazing advice to help everyone, have it be new campers or experienced ones. I like all of the suggestions they give and the twist in mixing different culinary styles.
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November 16, 2023I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
I was really intrigued by this book, and I thought it had a lot of really great ideas. Some of them I might come back to--specifically ones for things I can take out on the hiking trail. But it also has a lot of very work intensive things because I'll need to do things before I go out. So while they seemed easy, not all the recipes were for me.
I did recommend that my daughter--who is still tenting regularly--take a look at it.
I was really intrigued by this book, and I thought it had a lot of really great ideas. Some of them I might come back to--specifically ones for things I can take out on the hiking trail. But it also has a lot of very work intensive things because I'll need to do things before I go out. So while they seemed easy, not all the recipes were for me.
I did recommend that my daughter--who is still tenting regularly--take a look at it.
November 7, 2025
We finally tried all the recipes in this book that inspired us in the kitchen. We ended up keeping several of these recipes and also utilized pages in this book on preparing for a great outdoor adventure!
August 26, 2023
Vegan is good.
Some times you just want to have vegan . Your body is just craving for it. The only reason is to listen to it.
Some times you just want to have vegan . Your body is just craving for it. The only reason is to listen to it.
October 29, 2023
Very interesting and in-depth read. I have not yet tried any recipes but I want to.
April 24, 2020
I practically read this little cookbook from cover to cover after checking it out as an ebook from my library. I loved it so much that I returned it immediately and ordered a hard copy from my local bookstore! I just received the hard copy today and I love the pictures and all the tips and tricks for cooking in the outdoors! Can’t wait to try some recipes in preparation for when we can get outside again.
April 3, 2022
I like the way this cookbook is organized! It’s got 3 main sections; trail food, car camping, and backpacking. Then each section is organized in meal types like snacks, breakfast, appetizers, and dinners. The authors come from a variety of cultural and dietary backgrounds so there are options for everyone. While it is camping food, it’s still gourmet. Some of the recipes I’m hesitant to try because they require more cleanup than I generally have the energy for after a day outside.
February 8, 2022
This was really well done. I've made hundreds of campground and back country meals and I picked up numerous tips and new, fun recipes to try. The book is well organized and beginners, as well as the advanced, will appreciate the way the recipes spell out what you need on site (equipment and ingredients) and also what can be prepared ahead of time.
October 24, 2020
This is a great cookbook for camping.
March 19, 2021
Excellent recipes in here and the fact that they're feasible while camping is a bonus. Highly recommend
December 29, 2021
This is a great go to book for all camping food adventures. I used this book exclusively this year for weeks of camping and now have recipes that I’ll use for years.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews