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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum BWCA Food and Recipes Bear Creek pasta mixes |
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08/24/2011 10:33AM
They do look good. Might be a step up from the Knorr sides. I am going to check the Cub close to my house.
Might be an addition for my upcoming trip in a couple of weeks!
Might be an addition for my upcoming trip in a couple of weeks!
C-H-A-L-L-E-N-G-E: Do not let what you cannot do, interfere with what you can do.
10/25/2011 09:07AM
I've used the soup mixes for bigger groups at base camps and have been pleased. Kerr/Lipton sides are cheap filling but a friend once said that a pine tree would also be filling. I've found that if I open the packages and add additional seasonings they almost taste good. Mostly they are just a carb filler that gets a meat added at the end.
panic kills
10/26/2011 12:02PM
quote Frenchy: "Mills Fleet Farm carries Bear Creek Mixes."
Yes, they do have the soup mixes there and usually at better prices than the grocery stores in the Twin City Area anyway. BUT I have not located their PASTA mixes as of yet.
11/04/2011 07:04PM
Since wife is gone a bought a package of the CREAMY CHICKEN Pasta Mix.
It says it will make 4 cups (It will) I split it in two and saved the other half of the dry ingredients for another day. I made half of it and dumped half a bag of that foil pouche chicken in with it when it was about done. It was o.k. Nothing real special. But I only at half of the half or 1/4 of the original. It would work.
Took longer to cook then they said, and that means more fuel if your doing this on the trail, and I don't like that part.
All in All I would give it a 7 out of 10.
SunCatcher
It says it will make 4 cups (It will) I split it in two and saved the other half of the dry ingredients for another day. I made half of it and dumped half a bag of that foil pouche chicken in with it when it was about done. It was o.k. Nothing real special. But I only at half of the half or 1/4 of the original. It would work.
Took longer to cook then they said, and that means more fuel if your doing this on the trail, and I don't like that part.
All in All I would give it a 7 out of 10.
SunCatcher
"WWJD"
11/05/2011 09:28AM
So Paul, do you feel some other brands of the pasta sides are better? I found the Knorr's stroganoff side to be pretty good, but I added home dehydrated ground beef and peas. I wondered if home dehydrated chicken would improve the side you had. I so like the Bear Creek soups I had high hopes for the pasta sides.
11/06/2011 04:19PM
quote BillConner01: "So Paul, do you feel some other brands of the pasta sides are better? I found the Knorr's stroganoff side to be pretty good, but I added home dehydrated ground beef and peas. I wondered if home dehydrated chicken would improve the side you had. I so like the Bear Creek soups I had high hopes for the pasta sides."
Bill, it was o.k. just thought a little blagh. It would "feed you".
I ussually dehydrate chicken from a can. It makes a wonderful addition to meals. My favorite is Knorrs sides, I like the Teryaki ones. I dehydrate chicken, brocolli, and red and green peppers. I add these to my Knorr's to make a whopping good meal out of it.
I cut the Knorr's pkg in half and make 2 meals out of them, and then do my adding. It is a fair size meal.
I also love the Bear Creak soups, dehydrate burger, and use that in the soups. The Chili especially
SunCatcher
"WWJD"
11/15/2011 04:16AM
I tried the beef str. this weekend. Not a real fan. I think the knorrs is better. Was easy to cook and portion size was good.
"With an ax, you can build a life. With a stove, you can boil water. That is if nothing breaks and you don't run out of fuel." -Samuel Hearne
03/18/2013 02:32PM
quote whiteh20: " Not a real fan. I think the knorrs is better. Was easy to cook and portion size was good."
I saw the Bear Creek Pasta line in my local Stop & Shop, decided to pick up 1 of each (they carry 6 styles) to try for dinner at home before heading out with them. We really wanted to like them.. add water only, boil up easily..but I agree with most others that they were bland/lacking in flavor compared to Knorr. So far we've tried the creamy chicken & the broccoli cheddar. Just okay..wouldn't bother with them again, sticking to Knorr/Lipton sides. If any of the other flavors are better, I'll update.
Update...We tried the Alfredo pasta and added 1/4 cup less water than called for along with a few good shakes of Red Monkey steak seasoning. It was creamy & delicious.
03/19/2013 08:21AM
We had one (creamy chicken) along last fall on our trip.
We mixed the last of our bacon, a package of the foil pouch chicken & some real cheese in. As stated; we added a lot of extra ingredients. But, I thought it tasted very good.
We mixed the last of our bacon, a package of the foil pouch chicken & some real cheese in. As stated; we added a lot of extra ingredients. But, I thought it tasted very good.
03/19/2013 10:27AM
I don't find huge differences between Knorr and Bear Creek except the Knorr (and I think Lipton) packages are just about right for two people - or two meals if solo and splitting - where as the Bear Creek is 3 to 3 1/2 best I can recall. (Bear Creek makes nutritional data available easily and Knorr does not.) That would probably be a bigger factor for me than taste - how many people and how many packets. Does seem Bear creek needs longer cooking time but not a big deal.
And I see Bear Creek has now introduced rice sides, which have less calories per "serving" but man oh man does the sodium go up.
Still love those Bear Creek soups! Especially on a rainy day in the Q.
And I see Bear Creek has now introduced rice sides, which have less calories per "serving" but man oh man does the sodium go up.
Still love those Bear Creek soups! Especially on a rainy day in the Q.
03/19/2013 11:07AM
quote BillConner01: " (Bear Creek makes nutritional data available easily and Knorr does not.) That would probably be a bigger factor for me than taste - how many people and how many packets. Does seem Bear creek needs longer cooking time but not a big deal."
I happen to have both right here in my hands. Both have information about nutrition right on the back.
Here is a comparison of Knorr Alfredo broccoli & Bear Creek Alfredo pasta mixes. Remember, bear creek is just add water, Knorr adds milk & margarine. Bear creek serves 4, Knorr serves 2. I take water only versions on our trips.
As prepared:
Knorr
8 minute cook time
1 cup serving
300 calories
4.5g fat
2.5 sat fat
0 Trans fat
10 mg cholesterol
640mg sodium
37g carbs
2g fiber
3g sugar
9g protein
Bear creek
12-15 minute cook time
1 cup serving
340 calories
9g fat
4.5 sat fat
0 trans fat
5mg Cholesterol
610 mg sodium
55g carbs
1g fiber
4g sugar
8g protein
For me, the nutritional info is a wash-one has more fiber & protein, the other more carbs. Both would be doctored up with veggies & meat. Taste is important to me..we get excited about meals..8 days out, who wouldn't? Interestingly enough, Bear creek only lists 6% calcium & 10 % iron as additional nutrients while Knorr lists the whole deal. Knorr is shelf stable for a year, bear creek is the same. Whichever you choose, however you dr them (spam to lobster) it's going to be delicious when you're out there. Bear creek soups rock! I wish I liked the pastas as much...
03/27/2013 09:02PM
quote BillConner01: "Twice the fat and half the cholesterol? Seems odd. Does knorr include the milk and butter in the nutrition?.
Cook time - does saying its less for Knorr presume that you can cook two Knorrs in same pot in same 8 min?"
It does seem odd. Yes, the nutrition is as prepared.
This is correct, the cook time would be the same.
P.S. I recently tried the Bear Creek Alfredo and it was creamy & delicious. I used 1/4 cup less water than it called for and it turned out perfect. I added a few shakes of red monkey seasoning to give it a nice garlic punch. I would buy that one again, it makes a nice big pot when you have more than 2 people to share. Would be great with fish or potluck ingredients.
02/18/2014 07:46AM
We tried a new flavor (for us) of Bear Creek pasta last night for dinner.
Stroganoff for (4). I thought it was a nice start, but a little plain, the mushrooms only ran thru it-there weren't any chunks. My trip mate doesn't like mushrooms, so adding dried is out for him, but for those that like them...it would have benefitted by adding some. As I doctored it up, I wanted to use what would be easy to mix in on the trail. I added 2 teaspoons of beef boullion and 1/3 cup of sour cream as it was finishing up cooking. (Sour cream is found powdered or fresh in single serve packs within a southwestern bagged salad kit. A chunk of cream cheese would also work). I added 1 lb of thinly sliced fresh venison and stirred till it was cooked thru.
I though it did need the addition of a vegetable to make a complete meal, mushrooms as I mentioned would have been perfect. I had green beans on the side, then stirred them right in the meal. I would give it an 8 out of 10 after it was fixed up.
Man, was that good with some fresh made bread. 3 of us ate the whole thing, mopping up the gravy with the bread.
Stroganoff for (4). I thought it was a nice start, but a little plain, the mushrooms only ran thru it-there weren't any chunks. My trip mate doesn't like mushrooms, so adding dried is out for him, but for those that like them...it would have benefitted by adding some. As I doctored it up, I wanted to use what would be easy to mix in on the trail. I added 2 teaspoons of beef boullion and 1/3 cup of sour cream as it was finishing up cooking. (Sour cream is found powdered or fresh in single serve packs within a southwestern bagged salad kit. A chunk of cream cheese would also work). I added 1 lb of thinly sliced fresh venison and stirred till it was cooked thru.
I though it did need the addition of a vegetable to make a complete meal, mushrooms as I mentioned would have been perfect. I had green beans on the side, then stirred them right in the meal. I would give it an 8 out of 10 after it was fixed up.
Man, was that good with some fresh made bread. 3 of us ate the whole thing, mopping up the gravy with the bread.
It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. -Confucius
02/18/2014 09:36AM
Stroganoff seems to be one of those things that dehydrate and freeze dry well. I used the Knorr I think and added dehydrated ground beef and dehydrated mushrooms and mixed in some freeze dried peas. More sodium than I'd normally want but very tasty and easy. It was actually half a Knorr pack because it was on a solo. I may have squeezed in a sour cream packet also - get those at a local place that serves baked potatoes to go.
I tried the Bear Creek chicken tortilla soup this past week - very good. Wish Bear Creek made 4 serving packs - 8 is a lot for our usual 2 people.
I tried the Bear Creek chicken tortilla soup this past week - very good. Wish Bear Creek made 4 serving packs - 8 is a lot for our usual 2 people.
02/18/2014 10:37AM
I like the Knorr too because of its size. After your comment, I looked at the BC website...they are now offering 4 cup serving pouches for several of their soup flavors...but not all. Interesting and the difficulty remains...where to find it. My local Wonderbread thrift store used to carry the 4 cup versions in a flat backed display, but of course they are out of business. Bear Creek is local here on Long island, NY-but I don't think they have a storefront & their website is vague as to where to purchase. I may email them to find out.
Thanks for the tip on sour cream.
Winter continues to roar so I am just dreaming about camping recipes...making lists...
Thanks for the tip on sour cream.
Winter continues to roar so I am just dreaming about camping recipes...making lists...
It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. -Confucius
02/28/2014 10:41AM
Had the Bear Creek stuff the other day with shrimp and was great. I added a little flour to thicken it up some but as stated above I could have used less water to start with. I add crawdad tails to it in the BW and it is good as well.
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