[RumiDude]

Here is a good tasting and filling dinner for the trail that is freezer bag cooked and easy to make. I use Sante Fe Refried Beans as the base. I prefer the Fire Roasted Chipotle Refried Beans, but you can use one of the others and add the seasoning as you like. I then add FD Bell Peppers, FD Cheddar or Jack Cheese, FD onions, and sometimes instant rice. I also use FD ground beef with this. Sometimes I add it in with the rest of the mix and sometimes I hydrate it separately, depending on different circumstances. If you add it in with the rest of the stuff you have to allow extra time for it to rehydrate. I then add the Crispy Jalapenos at the last minute and serve it on a tortilla or have it "naked", i.e. with out tortilla. I also have packets of salsa to add over the top. This all hydrates well and is a nice trail dinner. The ground beef and cheese add LOTS of calories (fat and protein) as well as flavor. All these ingredients are easily available online. I highly suggest starting your backpacker pantry to easily and relatively inexpensively assemble tasty meals for your backcountry adventures. Rumi

[Navy salad]

What are the freeze dried "Crispy jalapenos" like? Do they retain their hotness, or is it mellowed out by the processing?

[RumiDude]

The Crispy Jalapenos are not FD. They are found in the salad fixings section of the grocery store. Frenches brand makes some also. I have found them at Safeway and Walmart. Anyway, they pack a bit of heat but not over the top heat. They retain their crispy if you add them at the last minute. Rumi

[BigBrunyon]

Thats a decent soundin' b'rido!