[sarbar]

[Navy salad]

[Navy salad]

[Navy salad]

For me it's not about the money, it's more about choosing exactly what goes into what I eat -- or said another way, eating exactly what I like. However, as it turns out, I DO save loads over buying prepackaged stuff via the following principle from Sarbar:

[dicentra]

[Navy salad]

dicentra -- Ok, I'll start doing that. Right now, everything's been dried, although I suppose I could show pics of the little vacuum packed bags I've collected. I've mostly been going through "Backpack Gourmet", a book someone recommended on a different thread and which, despite it's plain appearance, is my current favorite. I've tried some from "Fork in the Trail" as well and "Leave No Crumbs". I lean towards the thick soups and stews. Since you're doing the same thing, what have you found that you liked best? Coincidentally, I just checked your web site yesterday (for your PCT writeup) and stumbled upon the dips section. You've got one with artichokes in it that I'm planning to try soon (as far as I'm concerned, anything with artichokes in it has GOT to be good). I'll post more later.

[dicentra]

Navy Salad - I just posted a black bean soup recipe with dehydrator pics on the blog. The artichoke bean one is awesome! Works as a dip, a spread or pasta sauce. Top with parmesan. Nom! (Sarbar helped test that one!)

[Navy salad]

Ok, first an ethics question (probably should put this in a new thread, but I'm too lazy at the moment): Most recipes start with a previous one, and then get adapted into a "new" recipe. Given that, how many changes are needed before it become public domain? In other words, I'd feel guilty if I copied a recipe exactly from a book and entered it here. Copyright violation or something like that. But if you change it enough, it becomes virtually unrecognizable from the original. So to get specific, if I take a soup recipe from a book and switch one ingredient, does it then become ok to publish it? If not, two? Three? How about if I leave the base recipe unchanged, but add additional ingredients? The reason I ask (probably obvious) is that I don't really have any truly original recipes, but I almost always make changes and would like to write up the changed recipes here.

[sarbar]

Copywrite rules in the US are this: You must rewrite the recipe in your words. The actual list of ingredients is unprotected but how you write the recipe is protected. So lets say I have a recipe I see and change a couple items....then I will write it down with my style of writing. And it is mine now Though it never hurts to say..."Hey I was inspired by this website or book or author" and give credit

[Dane]

Thanks for the replies everyone! A few years back I found that DIY gear didn't really save money, just allowed me to design my own stuff. Which was cool. But I'm not a picky eater, just lookin to save some $$$. Spose I'll look up some recipes and start experimenting for this summer's adventures...

[sarbar]

Dane - Cooking is one of those areas where in most cases you can eat cheaper if you cook yourself....but if single it can be more of an issue. Or if you get addicted to high end premium products (not me.....lol!) If ya ain't picky though you can eat pretty good for cheap!

[dicentra]

[Navy salad]