It’s taken me awhile to get to the latest cookbook up for review, Another Fork in the Trail: Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes for the Backcountry by Laurie Ann March. Not because it’s a hard read or anything like that. It’s actually packed full of useful information, from outdoor cooking methods and equipment to nutrition and food storage at camp and recipes.
But quite a few of the recipes required a dehydrator and I didn’t have one at the time. This was the same problem I had with Ani’s Raw Food Asia – recipes I wanted to try but didn’t have the equipment (sure, I could have used the oven but I rather not).
While waiting for the dehydrator to arrive, I made the Roasted Nut and Mango Energy Bars, pictured above. I had no idea they were so easy to make and so much better than store bought energy bars.
Finally, a shiny new dehydrator sits on the kitchen counter. The first thing I made is the Carrot Muffin Leather. I just had to try it because it wasn’t a fruit leather. I’ve had all sorts of fruit leather in my time but never vegetable leather. Guess what? it does taste like carrot muffins.
I also made tofu jerky at the same time using different trays (dehydrators are so efficient). I’ve made tofu jerky in the oven way back when; it’s one of the reasons I rather wait to get a dehydrator than use the oven again.
The marinate produces a nicely flavored tofu jerky – I liked the combination of soy sauce, lime, onion, garlic and red chilies. Bonus points for not using liquid smoke.
I did tweak the recipe a bit based on my previous experience with making jerky, I cut the tofu thinner. And I reduced the amount of soy sauce and only marinated for a couple of hours instead of overnight. I wanted the flavor but not the saltiness, it came out great. I’m thinking the marinate would be good for regular baked tofu too.
I also tried an entree, Mushroom Burgundy. The recipe called for frozen pearl onions which I couldn’t find at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. I just left it out and added extra carrots.
Since I wasn’t actually going camping, I didn’t bother to dehydrate the dish. All of the recipes provide instructions for preparing the food for the outdoors, whether dehydrating or other storage, but you can just skip that part if you’re eating at home or around town.
A little woodland friend stopped by and whispered something about sharing. So I’m giving away a copy of Another Fork in the Trail.
To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment in this post with your favorite on the go snack, it can be for the wilderness or the urban jungle. Comment must be made by midnight PST on Friday, October 21st; one entry per person. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
One winner will be randomly selected (using random.org) from the comments received and announced in a new post on Saturday, October 22nd. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be randomly chosen. Prize awarded is the cookbook that I received from the publisher (approximate retail value $17.95). I did not drool on it.
Official Rules:
Open only to U.S. residents age 18 and over. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Void where prohibited by law. Any tax is the sole responsibility of the winner. Winner releases Chow Vegan from any liability arising out of participation in this giveaway or the acceptance, use or misuse of the prize.
Disclosure: I received the cookbook free of charge from the publisher to review. The opinions and experience with the cookbook expressed herein are my own. There was no pay to say.
This post also contains Amazon links, I get a few coins tossed my way if you click on the link and make a purchase of anything.
I love the cashew cookie Lara bars.
I like sweet and spicy mixed nuts for snacking pretty much anywhere! My current favorite recipe is rosemary maple glazed nuts: http://www.foodinjars.com/2009/12/gift-in-a-jar-rosemary-maple-glazed-nuts/
I like walnuts and dried figs. I love the idea of the book you reviewed – was recently pondering the topic – what a timely post!
I love the title and what an interesting slant on a cookery book. And, oh how exciting..a new world of food opens up (I’ve not got a dehydrator…yet). Leather that tastes like carrot muffins? Wow! the Mushroom Burgandy looks wowzer too. Will you be posting the recipe? (love your pics by the way)
Kale chips are my favorite snack. So yummy and so many variations.
Good morning. My friend emailed me a link to your review this morning. Thank you for taking the time to try my recipes and write about it. I love coming across these because I never know who’s reading my books.
The Carrot Muffin Leather was posted in the comments section of my friend Kristin’s blog while the book was still in the editing process. Here is the link… http://peaceloveandmuesli.com/dehydrate/
I’m going to have to try the rosemary maple glazed nuts that one of the other comments mentioned. That just sounds craveable.
Your photos are great – I really loved the one with the critter (too cute).
Thanks again,
Laurie Ann
When I’m hiking I always bring some kind of bar with me. My favorites are cliff bars or lara bars.
Am almost ashamed to say this, after seeing the phot of the energy bar, but it’s Cliff bars that save the day for me.
Thnak you for the contest!
I love the fruit and nut KIND bars! Also, a trail mix with dried cherries, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and other goodies is great. :)
This really makes me want to get a dehydrator so I can try these recipes. My favorite snack is trail mix and homemade granola bars.
I would LOVE to have this book. Currently, we just use Backpacker’s Pantry dehydrated meals on camping trips, but I really want to start preparing my own food. This book would be a great introduction to this! My go-to trail snack would have to be homemade macadamia nut granola bars.
i like your tweaks to the tofu jerky – it looks awesome, too! i have never been able to find frozen pearled onions, i swear they only exist in jar form. ahaahahaa! A-K over at swell vegan did a great review of this cookbook as well – between both of your posts i’m drooling and i just might have to pick up a copy for christmas!
I meant to mention pearl onions in my comment earlier… you can just use some coarsely chopped cooking onions if you can’t find frozen pearl onions.
If the winner of the cookbook would like, I could send a signed postcard to use as a bookmark (just let me know).
I like various types of energy bars. Right now I’m making them based on popped amaranth – love the texture and the taste.
I love backpacking AND snacks! most recently i roasted chickpeas with cumin and olive oil and had that with me on the trails. unfortunately, i broke my leg on that trail, but i’m mending and ready to get back out there! this book would definitely help!
My fave are the Thai peanut Primal Strips. Would love to be able to make some of my own to save the $$. I would love to get my hands on this cookbook, as we’re always trying to make more interesting meals while backpacking!
My favorite to-go snack is a ripe banana!
Thank you for the giveaway!
I love dried apples, cherries with almond and sunflower seeds! Would like to get a dehydrator and make my own fruit rollups.
when hiking/camping, clif bars are my favorite snack. i’ve been trying to reduce the amount of processed foods i eat, though, so this book sounds great!
Mini Larabars are my favorite! I always have one stashed in my purse.
Thanks for reviewing this book! It looks great, and as I’ve recently tried a few storebought vegan camping meals and found them disgusting, I’m excited to make my own.
I have been wanting this book ever since I saw it on another blog. I like to eat almonds, primal strips and raisins as my on the go snack. What kind of dehydrator did you get? I might ask for one for Christmas. Thanks for the giveaway!
I like to carry a food bar, or a banana if possible, for a snack when I’m out and about.
Roasted chickpeas, pistachios and dates always give me energy when I’m out & about. Thanks!
How does one choose? Close to home, it’s chilied mango slices, on the road it’s green beans or v-8 if I’m at a truck stop and desperate.
I can’t say that I’m really one for camping, but I’m sure I’d still cook out of this book! My favorite on-the-go snack is the classic granola bar. Unoriginal, but perfectly tasty and satisfying.
dehydrated tofu…never thought of it…time to bust out the machine
I won’t deny it. My perfect go-to snack is a handful of chocolate chips – preferably the organic fair-traid, grain-sweetened kind – straight out hte bag.
Laurie Ann – Thanks for stopping by and for the carrot muffin leather recipe link! I will be sure to mention the signed postcard option to the winner. Thanks so much!
Kim Simon – I got one of the inexpensive Nesco dehydrator. I figured I would try it out for awhile before getting something more pricey. :-)
I make homemade granola bars and add millet and kamut puffs for interesting textures and crunch.
On the trail my go-to is nuts – big nutrition punch in a small space!
The energy bars look so much better than ones from the store. I once made tofu jerky accidentally by forgetting that tofu was baking in the oven, and it made great food to take on a trip. When I finally got a dehydrator, I never thought of making the jerky again, but I did dehydrate chili. It took a really long time and tasted a bit weird, but we ate it on a camping trip. I don’t have the dehydrator in Seattle, and haven’t camped in ages, but it sounds like a book I really would have enjoyed way back when. (Don’t enter me in the drawing — someone else may have more use for the book than me.)
My favorite is a camp treat – so considered on the go- I make tacos in my pie iron – pre-prep the spiced lentils and rice at home and throw in a few sliced shrooms – divine by the campfire – no plates, no cleanup and 5 minutes in the iron! LOVE!
P.S. I’m camping this weekend :)
About tofu… it’s great for jerky type preparations… just don’t try to rehydrate it because it never comes back.
Kim Simon (and Chow)… my first book and part of the second book were done entirely with a Nesco FD 75 and it is still going strong. I’ve since switched to an Excalibur but the Nesco always served me well. The only plus to the Excalibur is that it has a timer so it will shut off without my needing to unplug the unit.
Bananas!
Without a doubt.
My go-to-snack is Brazil nuts and dried figs! Like a stellar candy bar with 0 effort!
Regards
I like to make homemade larabars out of cashews and dates, then wrap them in saran wrap and voila! A lovely go-to snack :)
The tofu jerky looks great. My favorite on the go snack are Kind bars. A while back VegNews had a recipe for Sweet and Sriracha Pecans. These are an easy snack on the go too.
My favorite camping snack is smoked almonds. I love their earthy, savory taste when I am out in the woods. This book looks great!
My favorite hiking snack is almonds and dried figs. Most bars are usually just too sweet. Can’t wait to check out the book!
My favorite on the go snack is Clif Mountain Mix Mojo Bars. Delicious!
Thanks for posting this review! My favorite hiking snack is raw almonds and raisins. Quick and easy. Your post almost makes me want to get a dehydrator!
I really like to pack bars for hiking/biking and for my son’s lunches. These look really good.
That all looks delicious, but especially the tofu jerky! I don’t snack on the go very often, but when I travel I always bring Larabars and a few pieces of fruit if I can.