Meals on Wheels

Travex

Lost is my destination.
Joined
May 7, 2012
Messages
832
Location
Western New York State
Camp cooking has always been a fun throw-down for me. As a self-styled autodidactic chef I consider adverse cooking conditions an entertaining challenge to overcome and surprise with.

As far back (14yo-ish) as my earliest multi-night bike camping experience it was immediately clear that the same nutritional requirements of canoeing and kayaking which I have good history with, also apply to a full day of riding. With a considerable global dining history I’m always interested in having something that’s totally contrary to rustic sports… Something international, something a cut above. Something fun and spicy. At the end of the day I like to be rewarded with damn good human fuel.

Being no stranger to jerky, tuna, dogs, ramen, sausages, Mountain House, and spam on a stick I tend to look further through the lens of other cultures. Ever had shwarma, tikel gomen, Pho, campfire beef bourguinon, carnitas confit, or steak chimichurri in the woods? Changes your life, man.

I used to do all that. Now with age doing it’s thing it’s down to veganism, and at that the cruelest and most draconian form… Forks Over Knives. Meaning of that diet is if you don’t pick it from the ground or a tree you don’t eat it. Bill Clinton’s been living on it for years… A diet created by two former Cleveland Clinic cardio-thoracic surgeons (one of which was mine), it’s a shocker going in, but in short order it made me feel brand new. 29Lbs in the first 30 days if that means anything… And I’m not too big to start.

The problem with veganism really is traveling. Without finding a whacked-out hippy joint full of dandelion scarfing carnation barrel stuffers it can be tough to fit the bill.

Although I’ve transitioned from tent to hotel traveling I haven’t nor do I expect my enjoyment of remote cooking to suffer. Just always have to be conscious before ending up in the day’s destination to have stopped at a market or roadside stand to stock up on fresh veggies so I can find a nice place out of town to enjoy meal time. I tightly pack a pretty full range of spices and seasonings and that’s a good part of the battle. My knockoff jet boil with burner/pot/pan adapter suits me well enough. Titanium chopsticks and spork and I’m good to go.

Strangely, one of my greatest regrets is in not having made an offer to a farmer who peened/fashioned a beautiful mini wok for me out of scrap carbon steel. Just didn’t have the heart to ask him to part with it after I cooked our dinner in it. Seemed to be a better memory to have left him with.

Anyhow, I’m in the planning stage for this year’s big escape and I’m concerned what type of produce I may or may not find in Canada’s northern territories. Having a friend in Environment Canada has been a great help over the years with regard to weather, northern lights, and insect blooms, But I’d be tickled pink if any of my northern neighbors chimed with what I’m likely to find or forage up there. Never been up past r527/Nipigon so I honestly don’t know what’s there and I’d far sooner learn it from a local than the interwebs. Thanks for any and all advice.

Best to all!
 

Travex

Lost is my destination.
Joined
May 7, 2012
Messages
832
Location
Western New York State
have you really looked at Bill Clinton ..... man could star on a walking dead episode .....
The operative word being "walking".

Having motorcycled across the Canadian North many times I can assure you there is an abundance of food available along with local people willing to cook and serve it.:)
As far a foraging for food from trees…….. there are no trees!
Haha. Thanks for that, gv550. I'm afraid gone are the halcyon days of A&W breakfasts, but I'm still a regular for their tall frosty mugs of OJ. Always enjoy meeting people and dining with them, but vegansim sure can rain on that parade. Great pic!
 
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