The One Burner Gourmet

I've had this book for several years. While preparing for an extended car camping trip, I pulled it out again and was once again amazed at the breadth of recipes. There are recipes, variations of recipes, ideas for recipes, tips, hints, "chef's secrets"--her wealth of ideas is practically awe-inspiring. It's a terrific book just for leafing through and getting ideas. At home, I strive for fresh ingredients and creative cooking; while camping, ease of preparation and ease of clean-up are my primary rules. There are recipes in this book that meet each of those situations, and more than a few that meet both. Sure, there are a few I'll never use (even while camping I can't quite bring myself to eat Spam), but overall there's no better resource. I've bought several other camping cookbooks recently, but this one retains its spot as my most treasured camping cookbook.

Not only are these great recipes for camping, they're great quick recipes at home.In addition to "one burner" meals, there are also good recipes for dutch oven cooking, preserved food (pemmican, jerky, trail mix), and make-aheads (cook before going).

This is the one reference book I've read and re-read. I played around with the receipts. It has established a pattern for meal planning which has resulted in making both backpacking, and canoe trips more enjoyable. If you can only afford one book consider this to be the best buy.