First off, let me just say that I have pretty low expectations for freeze-dried or shelf-stable foods. Yes, I know they'll never be as good as what I make from scratch, but when it comes to flavor, it seems like most products are just completely flat.
That being said, I was VERY pleasantly surprised when we decided to try this beef stew. Open the pack, remove the packet, and add two cups of boiling water. Give it a quick stir, seal the bag, and you'll have dinner ready eight minutes later. Easy prep is important, because let's face it: that's the whole reason I'm buying this instead of making it myself. So far, so good!
Most freeze-dried dinners have absolutely no flavor despite being loaded with salt. That's not the case here. Again, it's no comparison for what I can do with a dutch oven, some scratch ingredients, and unlimited free time, but this is light years better than your average freeze-dried dinner. In fact I can honestly say that this is the best-tasting freeze-dried dinner I've ever had. I could actually taste the individual flavors but nothing was overwhelming. The texture was a little odd (the beef itself was a little bit tough), but I'm not sure there's much that can be done about that with freeze-dried food.
One other beef I have with most backpacker-friendly / freeze-dried foods is that the portion sizes are ridiculous. When they say "servings per container: 8", that usually means my wife and I will have just a little bit left over. That's not the case here. For only a 5-ounce package, we got two generous servings of hearty stew. Throw in a slice or two of buttered bread and you'd be hard-pressed to come up with a better quick-prep dinner.
Put simply, this is exactly the kind of meal I want to have on standby for when I come back from a long day of hiking and don't want to deal with prep, cooking, or cleanup. Just add boiling water, stare at the stars for a few minutes, and dinner for two is ready. Done. Quick, hassle-free, and tasty.
| Size | Pouch |
|---|---|
| Number of Pieces | 1 |
| Unit Count | 4.3 Ounce |
| Color | MULTI |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 9.5 x 8 x 2.25 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.14 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 10 x 8 x 3 inches |
| Brand Name | Mountain House |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Warranty Description | 30-Years Taste Guarantee |
| Model Name | Beef Stew |
| Material | Food |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Mountain House |
| Part Number | 53114 |
| Style | Pouch |
| Included Components | Food |
| Sport Type | Camping & Hiking |
