Turn trail food into more than fuel

I've long thought that when you're out on the trail, you simply have to live as frugally as possible. When me, my little brother and dad were on our mountain trips, we had a regular competition: Everyone got a “Werther's original”, a hard cream caramel, and would try to make it last as long as possible. The last to still have his Werthers... got another one.
Breakfast was always porridge and lunch a packet of noodles or a “hot cup” with crispbread. Dinner was freeze-dried. Maybe this is familiar to other people?

Now I understand that it doesn't have to be so hard all the time. It’s possible to indulge without compromising on weight and simplicity too much! So now I'd like to give you some tips on what you can do to give your food that little extra something.

Fresh produce can certainly work on long trips. Maybe not melon or cabbage heads, but lighter things that can still add a lot of flavour. Such as lime, ginger, garlic, horseradish. Bring as much as you need and it will barely register on the total weight but will still bring you a lot of joy. A little lime can really give rice or noodles a kick and lime keeps well even when split, especially if you wrap it. You can also grate the peel of the lime and sprinkle it on top of your food.

Any really good hard cheese is fantastic to have with you. The more aged, the better the shelf life and the more flavour! Some tips from me are Manchego, Parmesan, Ostrobothnia and the Jämtland delicacy white Caprin which is an aged goat’s cheese.

Then, of course, there are the spices. Salt and pepper will go a long way, but if I may recommend something a little extra, it’s lemon pepper. It's almost always the acidity that’s missing when it comes to trail food, in my opinion. If you’re only taking one dried herb, make it dried parsley. It works in everything. Curry sauce goes with mash or tacos.

Last but not least, I want to highlight nuts, coconut flakes, almonds and various seeds. Not just as a snack, but as an accompaniment to food. Not only does it make the food much tastier, but it also increases the energy content of the portion considerably.

Don't do what me, my Dad and my brother did. Top the noodles with some parsley, lime, ginger and cashew nuts/coconut flakes/sesame seeds. It won't make your pack weigh more than it should and you'll be a happier outdoors person!