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Pre-soaking, experimenting

Mon 09 Jul, 2018 5:55 pm

An evolving element of overnight bushwalking is food. What to eat for variety and nutrition!

Here I am experimenting with pre-soaking during the day to conserve time and fuel when preparing an evening meal.
I've read about potential containers and pre-soaking lighter weight dry ingredients for the above purpose, without much detail. Popular with some American style thru-hikers.

Working with my current fascination of re-using plastic jars instead of new ziplock bags, here's my test number one:

A plastic jar
180g of yellow split peas
(half filled the jar)
200ml cold water


I let it sit for a bit more than an hour, then I tipped out 100ml of cloudy water.

Results:
The split peas absorbed the water readily in winter conditions. The excess water discarded may have been unnecessary, may have contained nutrients or it may have acted as a rinse.

Conclusion: this pea was quick and successful to prepare. From past experience I would trust the plastic jar to not leak water inside a backpack. Tonight the ingredient is being added to a curry indoors, so I look forward to trying this when out walking.
180g of dried split peas is rather a lot! Perhaps try a mixture up to this amount.
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Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Mon 09 Jul, 2018 8:27 pm

Thanks for the info ..

So 180g of peas absorbed 100g of water to become 280g .. not too bad. I'll have to compare it to other things.

:?: Possibly reduce the starting water down from 200 to 150 .. thus reducing the weight you carry (and the waste water)?

It is possible to use marks on the jar for the amount of peas and water so you can use the jar for the measurements and reuse the jar for a few meals on the trip.
I would thing that the act of walking would shake things up and make rehydration faster. The plastic jar could go on the outside of the pack ( a water bottle sleeve?) and only need to be filled a little before that nights camp - thus saving some weight (assuming you can get water along the way).

Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Mon 09 Jul, 2018 8:35 pm

Ya from this initial test I'm thinking just 100g of dry with 100ml water would be plenty for a 1p meal, adding other ingredients and seasoning to that.

Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Tue 10 Jul, 2018 8:27 am

100g of dried peas is a huge amount of soup, I usually use about half / two thirds that per meal. When cooking dahl at home I would usually soak yellow peas overnite which equates to being in a pack all day. People who pre-soak often only do so at the lunch break but I think it depends on water availability too. I have also tried using a small vacuum flask but the cheap ones don't work well enough to cook properly
I can't report on the performance of the expensive Thermos brand small flask yet as I've not yet used it to slow cook in but I will do after this winter
https://www.target.com.au/p/thermos-47- ... d/50456529
Note tho that I use this method to conserve fuel and it is usually for my breakfast porridge when using steel cut oats

Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Tue 10 Jul, 2018 12:29 pm

Neo wrote:Ya from this initial test I'm thinking just 100g of dry with 100ml water would be plenty


I'd always have a little surplus water, if nothing else than to ensure the stuff at the top has a little water to slosh in and ensure their full water absorption.

Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Sun 05 Aug, 2018 4:23 pm

Having another go, this time with red lentils. Half a jar (160g) and filled to the bottom of the thread with cold water. Gave it a shake, drained and refilled.

About an hour and ten minutes later the lentils are almost to the thread. Am car camping and this will be the basis for making a vego dahl (also experimental!).
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Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Mon 20 Aug, 2018 6:13 pm

Tried yellow split peas.
Quite like them but they require a fair bit more soaking time or cooking compared to red lentils. That dahl brew was interesting but a bit crunchy!

I don't really fancy normal peas so gave away the split green peas.

Now trying out whole lentils of other colours.

Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Mon 20 Aug, 2018 6:15 pm

Spice mix, onion caps sweet spud (to be diced) add som CC milk.
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Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Sun 04 Nov, 2018 6:33 pm

Anyone tried mung beans or something other than lentils? Why and how...

Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Sun 04 Nov, 2018 6:43 pm

Sprouting beans like mung beans is quite easy and doesn't require carting around lots of excess water. Just rinse twice a day in fresh water and keep in a jar. Use the screw on lid when walking but replace with a breathable cloth cover when stopped for lunch/in camp. From memory it takes a couple of days to get to a good size and a welcome change in diet on a long trip.

Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Sun 04 Nov, 2018 6:54 pm

Ahh, sprouts! aka fresh veg :)

Re: Pre-soaking, experimenting

Mon 05 Nov, 2018 11:57 am

I was given a nescafe insulated mug with a screw lid, nit push and a flip drinker thing i have glued shut. Holds boiling water well which means shorter time span soak which means shorter time carrying the water. The cup is pretty light. So far dahl, and currys. 3hrs and all it needs is to be dumped in a pot and maybe a bit more water for a reheat. poo... mushrooms, seaweed, crushed dried fish, instant rice and wasabi i have nearly got good. Found a platic jar if the wayer to hot can shrivle and leak
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