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Winter is coming ...

menu_book picture_as_pdf bookSonya Muhlsimmer Bushcraft Australia
Issue_29_June_2018-56

Winter is Coming ...

Sonya Muhlsimmer

Get ready for it. I heard this winter is going to be a real cold winter, actually I heard it will be the coldest winter in Australia on record. This means lots of snow and I am pretty excited about that. My friends and I have planned and are preparing for our annual pilgrimage to the snow. This is our usual round trip of about eight days back country skiing in Kosciuszko National Park one of my favourite places. I did an eight day hike over New Year's Eve down there and it amazes me each time I go how different this park looks in different seasons. The dilemma is though, and one of the hardest things to plan is, what to feed my friends. Back country skiing can be a hard slog so we need to eat something substantial. Umm, thinking ... What shall I cook them? Something hearty, warming, oh and easy to prepare ... Oh I know what I will cook them, keep reading to find out. Now, the next thing to plan is who will be carrying the wine?

Back country skiing on The Rolling Grounds, Kosciuszko National Park

56 | BWA June 2018


Pasta Puttanesca

Alone this meal is a hearty dish, but it also entitles you to a conversation piece about the name "puttanesca". The name I believe roughly translates to "lady of the night" or more colourfully known as either the Whore's pasta, tart’s pasta or even prostitute pasta, take your pick. So, who will start the conversation about this I wonder? Either way, this dish filled with olives, anchovies, capers and a few other bits and pieces like tomato and a bit of chilli and garlic. It will give your taste buds a real treat. I wonder what the history of this dish is, I better find out.

At home preparationLabel the bags and place all ingredients into the allocated bags. Copy or print Method at camp and keep together with the bags.

Method at campIn a pot add 2 cups of water and bring to the boil, then add Bag 1 (pasta mix). Bring back to the boil and then simmer for 5 to 12 minutes *(see Hints). After the cooking time of the pasta, take the pot off the heat and drain out half of the water into a bowl, keep aside for now (you may want to use the water for more sauce later). Put the pot back on the heat and add Bag 2 (herb mix), Bag 3 (olive mix) (and sun dried tomato for the vegetarian option) and the tomato paste stirring through. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes. If you want more sauce add some of the water from the bowl, stir through, or if you think the sauce is thick enough, discard the water from the bowl. Serve.

Hints*Note the cooking time of the pasta, it varies from 5 to 12 minutes, depending on the type. Try finding pasta with a short cooking time. Dried capers are available online through Tastebom. Otherwise capers in brine can be used, just pack them in a bag with the anchovies.

Bag 1 (pasta mix)

Pasta

100 grams *(see Hints)

Dried capers

1 Tbsp

3 grams

Bag 2 (herb mix)

Fried shallots

2 Tbsp

12 grams

Brown sugar

1 tsp

5 grams

Dried basil

1 tsp

1 gram

Dried parsley

1 tsp

1 gram

Dried onion

1/8 tsp

1 gram

Dried garlic

1/8 tsp

1 gram

Dried chilli

few pinches

Salt, pepper

few pinches

Bag 3 (olive mix)

Dried olives

6 each

6 grams

Anchovies

3 each

4.5 grams

Tomato paste (Keep separate) - 25 grams

Water - 2 cups for preparation

Vegetarian option - Bag 1 (vegetable mix)(Keep separate)

Sun dried tomatoes

2 each

10 grams

BWA June 2018 | 57


Falafel Mash and Gravy

This dish is just soul food, well I think so anyway. Falafels are high in protein, carbs, iron, zinc and other minerals from the chickpeas. It is just what we need after a big day of skiing. Okay so just a bit of trivia from Wikipedia for you, and to give you another conversation piece, the current record for largest falafel ball weighs in at 74.75 kg. Now that is a big ball Something to think about anyway, mmm I wonder how many people got fed off that one falafel ball. This dish also comes with an alternative, if you don’t want the mash and gravy take some pita bread and hummus, it is just as tasty. This dish has it all don’t you think!

At home preparationLabel the bags and place all ingredients into the allocated bags and container. Copy or print Method at camp and keep together with the bags.

Method at campIn a bowl add the contents of Bag 1 (falafel mix) and add ½ cup of water, slowly mixing through to form a firm paste, then roll into quenelles with a spoon, keep aside for now. Place the contents of Bag 2 (mash mix) in a bowl, and set aside. Add ½ cup of water to a pot, and put aside to boil later. In another pot, place the contents of Bag 3 (gravy) and slowly mix through ½ cup of water, stirring constantly to make a paste. Put a pan on the heat, add some olive oil and fry the falafels for about 2 to 3 minutes on either side until crispy and golden brown. Take off the heat when ready and cover to keep warm. Put the gravy on the heat and cook for about 3 minutes or until it thickens then take off the heat. Then to the stove, add the pot of water to the heat, bring to the boil and then stir through the mash mix. Place the falafels over the mash and pour the gravy over the falafels.

HintsThis mix makes about 4 or 5 falafels. This dish is a bit fiddly to make but it is worth it sometimes for a feast. Make it with friends.

Bag 1 (falafel mix)

Falafel mix

3/4 cup

140 grams

Bag 2 (mash mix)

Instant mash potato

¼ cup

25 grams

Dried chives

1 tsp

1 gram

Dried onion

1/8 tsp

1 gram

Dried garlic

1/8 tsp

1 gram

Bag 3 (gravy)

Gravy powder

2 Tbsp

36 grams

Onion flakes

1/8 tsp

1 gram

Garlic flakes

1/8 tsp

1 gram

Container

Olive oil

2 Tbsp

30 grams

Water

Water for falafels

½ cup

Water for mash

½ cup

Water for gravy

¾ cup

58 | BWA June 2018