POTN Safari around South/West Africa - we are baaack :-)

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2214282
I don't like cheese less it's in pizza or melted, but tomato? I don't eat tomatos themselves, but I love tomato sauce. Ahh! How do you live?

Easy I just avoid those things

tommykjensen wrote in post #2214287
Easy I just avoid those things

So the basic camp fare of tuna pasta won't work with you Tom What would you suggest to make a basic sauce if you don't like Tomatoes? We can get a range of tinned and packet sauces over there but we will need to stock up as they won't be readily available out of Windhoek. Tinned Coconut milk and Thai green curry spices is easy and tasty, but we won't want to indulge in curry too much

I prefer to avoid red meat and otherwise mainly eat organic BUT I am fuss free on the road and I'll eat most things that are fresh and wholesome and even stuff that is less wholesome iof that's all we can find.

Most of our food is going to be packed dry stuff like stock cubes, rice and pasta, and tinned stuff like beans, sauces, tomato's, tuna, vegetables, and then some fresh stuff like vegetables, bread, meat, dairy products (milk, cheese, butter). You guys have camped much more than I have so you will know the deal, but my experience there is to keep things very simple. I've tended to see food as nutrition more than enjoyment, and convenience, cost and being able to use minimal pots and pans, etc makes for a more effortless time.

condyk wrote in post #2214453
So the basic camp fare of tuna pasta won't work with you Tom What would you suggest to make a basic sauce if you don't like Tomatoes? We can get a range of tinned and packet sauces over there but we will need to stock up as they won't be readily available out of Windhoek. Tinned Coconut milk and Thai green curry spices is easy and tasty, but we won't want to indulge in curry too much

My cooking skills are limited. Probably worse than Sari's. But if sauce is kept seperate from the rest of the meal (if possible) then if there are tomatoes in it i can just skip the sauce. I just have to warn everybody - nobody try and make me eat something with tomato in it. My sister did that once. The meal did not stay in my stomach!

As for curry and spicy thai food. I like that. Not super spicy but somewhere in the middle. I will sweat like hell but will enjoy it.

tommykjensen wrote in post #2214483
My cooking skills are limited. Probably worse than Sari's. But if sauce is kept seperate from the rest of the meal (if possible) then if there are tomatoes in it i can just skip the sauce. I just have to warn everybody - nobody try and make me eat something with tomato in it. My sister did that once. The meal did not stay in my stomach!

As for curry and spicy thai food. I like that. Not super spicy but somewhere in the middle. I will sweat like hell but will enjoy it.

haha.. I beg to differ... But, I was kinda serious about cooking lessons. the sous chef's will maybe, let me play in the kitchen if we are really, really slow and they're not doing anything... and that's only if the exec. chef isn't there.... the only problem with that.. is it's not exactly camping out food.. but, the skills should transfer over right?...

sari

BeccaNH wrote in post #2212131
That would be cool! Beth and I are already scouring cook books for recipes that we might be able to use in Africa.

Maybe one thing you guys could work on over the next 9 months or so is a 'provisions list' that will both enough grub to keep us fed for the first week or so but also enough staples to keep us going the whole trip When we arrive it be good to have a really decent starting point to help create a comprehensive shopping list for grub type supplies and so on. That will make our day in Windhoek more relaxing, as basically it should just involve a big trip to a supermarket and then picking up any other bits and pieces we need. Then en route we just need to top up rather wasting a lot of time.

condyk wrote in post #2216370
Maybe one thing you guys could work on over the next 9 months or so is a 'provisions list' that will both enough grub to keep us fed for the first week or so but also enough staples to keep us going the whole trip When we arrive it be good to have a really decent starting point to help create a comprehensive shopping list for grub type supplies and so on. That will make our day in Windhoek more relaxing, as basically it should just involve a big trip to a supermarket and then picking up any other bits and pieces we need. Then en route we just need to top up rather wasting a lot of time.

I think my biggest problem as I'm searching for recipes is not knowing what will be available. Should we just assume that anything we can get here, we can get there?

BeccaNH wrote in post #2216382
I think my biggest problem as I'm searching for recipes is not knowing what will be available. Should we just assume that anything we can get here, we can get there?

Keep it simple and we will be covered no problem. We can probably find most things but some stuff will entail searching around and we will have limited time for that, especially knowing how jet leg will hit people. Also, while most stuff is cheaper the exotic type imported stuff will be very expensive compared to what you are used to in the US. Most recipes allow for substitutions anyway so we should be fine. We will need to rest the day after we all arrive and also sort our provisions, etc. so the easier our shopping is the better.

Tommy and I can sort some types of shopping when we arrive so that hopefully we just need to get food stuffs next day and can then relax a little.

I have been putting together a list (I'm famous for lists!) as I looked at recipes. This is what I have so far:

Food Condiments
• Salt and Pepper
• Spices and Herbs
• Seasonings
• Butter
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• Salsa
• Pickles
• Relish
• Squeeze butter
• Dry Soup Mixes
• Stock cubes
Beverages and Drinks
• Water
• Soda/pop
• Juice
• Coffee/Tea
• Cocoa
• Milk
• Lemonade
• Gator-aid/electrolytes
• Kool-aid
Food Basics
• Water
• Flour
• Sugar
• Butter
• Powdered Milk
• Cooking oil

Sandwich Items
• Bread
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Tuna
• Cheese
• Deli meat – Turkey, ham
Canned Foods
• Beef stew
• Ravioli
• Baked Beans
• Soup
• Vegetables (Corn, peas, green beans, carrots)
• Fruit
• Canned Meat
Snack Foods
• Granola Bars
• Raisins
• Yogurt
• Cookies
• Pretzels
Other Food Items
• Coffee Creamer
• Cold cereal
• Potato chips
• Instant Oatmeal
• Parmesan cheese
• Noodles – Ramen, spaghetti, etc.
• Pasta
• Bottled salad dressing

Fresh Produce
• Onions
• Potatoes
• Peppers
• Lemon
• Vegetables
• Fresh Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, etc)

Meat
• Hamburger
• Sausages
• Chicken

If you can think of anything that I have missed or left off, please add to this! Its hard not knowing what everybody likes, but I think we can put together some decent meals.

BeccaNH wrote in post #2216519
I have been putting together a list (I'm famous for lists!) as I looked at recipes. This is what I have so far:

That is a good starting list but I would cut about 50% off it myself tho' mainly the condiment, treats and drinks stuff, more limited choices seems reasonable there, and add rice and more sauce type preparation items. I wouldn't eat sausages or burgers myself, especially there when we can't be sure of source or quality. I'd also add simple breakfast items like muesli or weetabix.

I tend to think in terms of shopping for specific meals and assume minimal options, say about 6 main meals to choose from, otherwise weight, costs, storage, hassle, waste and trash just increases very significantly.

Be interested to see what others think.

I guess I should come with you after all- I love to cook, and managed fine last year after hurricane Wilma- no electric for 2 weeks....

condyk wrote in post #2216650
That is a good starting list but I would cut about 50% off it myself tho' mainly the condiment, treats and drinks stuff, more limited choices seems reasonable there, and add rice and more sauce type preparation items. I wouldn't eat sausages or burgers myself, especially there when we can't be sure of source or quality. I'd also add simple breakfast items like muesli or weetabix.

I tend to think in terms of shopping for specific meals and assume minimal options, say about 6 main meals to choose from, otherwise weight, costs, storage, hassle, waste and trash just increases very significantly.

Be interested to see what others think.

I agree with you, that seems like an awful lot, and although I'm not going, I also would probably avoid meat, as like you said, you don't have all the facts on it. In Canada (maybe different in the States) our meat is tested, rated and all before it comes to the store.

condyk wrote in post #2216650
That is a good starting list but I would cut about 50% off it myself tho' mainly the condiment, treats and drinks stuff, more limited choices seems reasonable there, and add rice and more sauce type preparation items. I wouldn't eat sausages or burgers myself, especially there when we can't be sure of source or quality. I'd also add simple breakfast items like muesli or weetabix.

I tend to think in terms of shopping for specific meals and assume minimal options, say about 6 main meals to choose from, otherwise weight, costs, storage, hassle, waste and trash just increases very significantly.

Be interested to see what others think.

I'm all for keeping things as simple as possible... And I'm very happy to narrow things down to six main meals to choose from... (weight, cost, storage, waste... all good considerations) but maybe we need to talk a little more specifically and less in generalities.

Muesli and weetabix? Are those dry cereals? I could easily agree to cereal as the regular morning meal. And it sounds like you're suggesting that we avoid any kind of fresh meat... yes? (Except in restaurants I assume)

So for main meals... are we talking primarily about rice or pasta dishes with variations? Can you give us a brief overview of what sorts of meals you would see as the staples?

Not meaning to be nitpicky here. Just trying to get a better idea of our options.

As for drinks.... I'm perfectly happy with water and coffee. Milk would be a nice luxury for cereal, but powdered milk is very doable.

eenorton wrote in post #2217012
I'm all for keeping things as simple as possible... And I'm very happy to narrow things down to six main meals to choose from... (weight, cost, storage, waste... all good considerations) but maybe we need to talk a little more specifically and less in generalities.

Muesli and weetabix? Are those dry cereals? I could easily agree to cereal as the regular morning meal. And it sounds like you're suggesting that we avoid any kind of fresh meat... yes? (Except in restaurants I assume)

So for main meals... are we talking primarily about rice or pasta dishes with variations? Can you give us a brief overview of what sorts of meals you would see as the staples?

Not meaning to be nitpicky here. Just trying to get a better idea of our options.

As for drinks.... I'm perfectly happy with water and coffee. Milk would be a nice luxury for cereal, but powdered milk is very doable.

Here is what would make me happy.. now, consider i'm not all that much of a food person... (ironic I know)..

ramen noodles.
spaghetti canned sauces.. alfredo and marinara..
apples oranges bananas
tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, brocolli..
bottled water
coffee.. allthough I suppose it isn't an absolutey necessary item
pbandJ
crackers and cheese
canned soups
potatoes (i'm from Idaho okay.. a baked potatoe can be considered lunch)..

okay.. I haven't really thought about it a whole much but there's an idea.. I do agree about the meats though...

sari

*tossing out the list and starting over"

I guess I need a better idea of what people want to eat. I used a list that we had used for other camping trips, but I don't know how to plan completely non-meat meals.

Like I've said before, I'd be perfectly happy with mac and cheese. So whatever anybody wants is fine with me. I'm easy!

BeccaNH wrote in post #2217185
*tossing out the list and starting over"

I guess I need a better idea of what people want to eat. I used a list that we had used for other camping trips, but I don't know how to plan completely non-meat meals.

Like I've said before, I'd be perfectly happy with mac and cheese. So whatever anybody wants is fine with me. I'm easy!

me too.. I think maybe we should plan very easy while camping and plan on splurging when we come to restaurants... food is usually a last consideration for me and i'm just as happy with something from the microwave as anything in a restaurant... But, we eat simple and easy on campsights and go a little nicer when we come to towns... I'm not joking when I say I can eat peanut butter and jelly three times a day and never really notice...

sari