Pancakes
There are a variety of pancakes that can be made in your backcountry kitchen. Pack an all-purpose Bisquick-type mix, and you can create the variation of your choice. Add 1/2 cup of gingerbread mix for gingerbread pancakes, use potato pearls and cheese for potato pancakes, use cornmeal instead of regular flower for corn pancakes, mix your oatmeal, raisins and cinnamon for oatmeal hotcakes, or use whole wheat, rye or buckwheat for a thicker heartier pancake. Get creative and add your favorite ingredients, dried fruit, nuts or seeds, or perhaps a few chocolate chips. Mix brown sugar and margarine or butter for a delicious syrupy topping. Remember to use cold water when mixing your batter, or your pancakes may end up flat.
Hash Browns
Dehydrated hash browns not only make an outstanding breakfast on their own--if you want to load up on carbohydrates--but they also make a great side dish and leftovers are great for lunch on the trail. Rehydrate hash browns before cooking them. Cover them in about an inch of hot water and let soak for 10 to 15 minutes. After draining, brown them in a frying pan with melted margarine or butter, salt, dill, basil, paprika and shredded or cubed cheese. Flip them frequently so they brown but don't burn. Try some hot sauce on them for an extra kick.
Omelets
Omelets provide opportunity for endless creativity. Pack powdered eggs, powdered milk and items such as dried onions, dried peppers, dried mushrooms, bacon bits, cheese, Tabasco sauce, salt, pepper, basil, garlic, dill and whatever your personal favorite spices are. Mix a heaping tablespoon of powdered egg, powdered milk and baking mix if you want thicker eggs with 1/2 cup cold water. Pour into the bottom of the pan and cook on low; it will set fast. Melt a bit of margarine and potato pearls with your cheese and other tasty ingredients and spices in another pan. Pour over the omelet and fold over one side of the cooked egg so the cheesy mixture is in the middle. Let set and then enjoy with some hash browns and your morning cup of camp coffee.
If you think you can't lift your spoon at hot cereal anymore, think again. Couscous, sweet rice, steel-cut oats and granola can make for a delicious morning treat. Mix any of these will raisins, mixed dried fruit, cinnamon, powdered milk or soy milk, brown sugar, honey, sunflower seeds, vanilla or nutmeg, and you will think of hot cereal in a whole new way. Cold muesli and fruit is also delicious.
