Dishes that are a bit lighter tasting can be desirable at many times of the year and especially in warmer weather. The palette does not crave cream, cheese, and the other heavy foods associated with winter. Instead, a touch of citrus might be wanted. A bit of mint on the tongue. And perhaps something a bit tart and a little sweet to balance the flavors out?

This simple, but tasty and filling, couscous meal just may be the perfect dish for those July backpacking trips near an alpine lake. Where blowing snow is a distant memory but a field of wildflowers is very much present. A little bit of summer in every bite.

This dish will serve one hungry hiker or two less-than-ravenous trekkers.

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or equivalent packable olive oil packets
• ½ cup pine nuts or walnuts
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 tablespoon dried mint (out for an easy overnighter? Substitute ¼ cup chopped fresh mint)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons lemon pepper; 3 teaspoons if you prefer a little more bite

Carnivore? One seven ounce pouch of chicken.

Veggie delight? One 15 ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) for a short trip OR 3 tablespoons instant hummus mix for a longer trip.

Optional: dash or two of red pepper flakes for a little zest.

At Home

1. Add couscous to resealable bag
2. Pour olive oil into leak proof bottle. I use a 12 oz. sports drink bottle myself or use olive oil packets.
3. Add nuts, cranberries, mint, salt, lemon pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to resealable bag. Mix.
4. Add chicken pouch to food bag when packing.
5. If using canned beans, add to a resealable bag, then double bag & tape closed for the most security.
6. If using hummus mix, place in resealable plastic bag.

Ingredients, including repackaged olive oil.

In Camp

1. Add two cups water to cook pot, bring to low boil.
2. Add olive oil and stir.
3. Add bag contents with nuts, cranberries, spice, & herbs to pot. Simmer until cranberries are plump (5-10 minutes).
4. Add chicken, beans, or hummus mix. Dried hummus will need more water and/or olive oil.
5. Mix once added.
6. Simmer over very low heat for 3-5 minutes while mixing on occasion.
7. Eat!

You can find more food-related and recipe articles here on the TrailGroove Blog.

Editor's Note: This article by contributor Paul Magnanti originally appeared in Issue 23 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.