camp meals

Apple Curry Stew

Freeze-dried chicken, dehydrated apples, and curry spice. One pot, one boil, 15 minutes.

calories
500
weight
3.5 oz
cal / oz
143
protein
12 g
serves
2, scales
prep
3 min
cook
15 min
total time
18 min
water
950 ml boiled
cost
$

Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.

  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Canister stove
  • Alcohol / Esbit
  • Liquid fuel
  • Campfire coals
  • Backpacking
  • Thru-hike
  • Basecamp
  • One pot
  • Pre-mix at home
  • Shelf stable
  • Dump and stir

Ingredients

Dehydrated apples 1/2 cup crumbled
Freeze-dried diced chicken 1/2 cup
Instant rice 1/3 cup
Dehydrated diced carrots 2 Tbsp
Dehydrated diced celery 2 Tbsp
Chicken gravy mix 2 Tbsp
Mild curry powder 1½ Tbsp
Granulated onion 1½ tsp
Butter powder 1½ tsp
Dried thyme 1/4 tsp
Black pepper a pinch

Method

  1. Boil 4 cups of water in your pot.
  2. Stir in all the bagged ingredients, then cover and remove from heat.
  3. Let sit 15 minutes, or 8-10 minutes wrapped in a pot cozy or quilt.
  4. Stir and eat.

The apples cut the curry heat and stay firm through rehydration. The gravy mix thickens the rice as it hydrates—you end up with a stew, not a broth with rice in it. Freeze-dried chicken gives you protein that doesn’t spoil in a warm pack.

At altitude or in the cold, a pot cozy cuts the sitting time by half. Without one, 15 minutes and you’re done.

Packing

Mix all dry ingredients into a sandwich bag at home and label it with '4 cups water.' Keep the pot cozy with your cooking gear.

Variations

  • A tablespoon of tomato powder adds acidity and cuts the sweetness.
  • Coconut powder stirred in makes it richer.
  • Add hot sauce or chili flakes if your curry is too mild.

https://trailcooking.com/2024/06/03/mulligatawny-stew