Happy Hour and Evening Treats

Sonya Muhlsimmer

Happy Hour at Happys Hut, at the top end of the Snowy Plain, Kosciuszko National Park, NSWSonya Muhlsimmer

After a long hard day walking, to arrive at your destination for the night is a feeling of accomplishment. To arrive in time for “Happy Hour” and to enjoy the view before the sun goes down, well, is bliss. The treats on the menu tonight are so simple to prepare and delicious - it really doesn’t get any better than this. There’s a wide variety to choose from. Some of the suggestions on the menu are sun dried olives and tomatoes, beef jerky or even some cheese and salami on biscuits, just like an antipasto platter. There are other suggestions such as guacamole, vegetable sticks and fresh bread, recipes supplied below. These dips, vegetables and bread can be a real treat after walking days on dried food rations. Hummus can also be prepared easily on the trail as a snack for Happy Hour (recipe in BWA October 2014). Oh, by the way, don’t forget the salted nuts; they’re great to munch on too. Enjoy Happy Hour wherever you are!

82 | BWA October 2015

As mentioned, to have some fresh food after a few days of dried food is a real treat. This recipe for guacamole is the easiest recipe to prepare, anywhere, any time. No skill required, just two ingredients and it goes well with fresh bread. The only hard part is that you have to make sure that the avocado is kept safe and secure in the rucksack, preferably in a container, so it doesn’t get squashed. For another serving suggestion as shown here, celery and carrots can be used as an accompaniment to this dip. If you pack them well enough they also keep well in the rucksack for a few days.

At home

Place the avocado in a container, ensuring it will not get squashed. Wrap the carrot and celery up in plastic wrap, or place them whole in a container. Place the sweet chilli sauce into another small container on its own.

Method at camp

Cut the avocado in half, scoop out the flesh and place it in a bowl. Mash the avocado flesh with a fork, then add the Tbsp of sweet chilli sauce and mix through. Cut the carrot and celery into sticks and serve them with the guacamole.

BWA October 2015 | 83

Flat bread is a cinch to prepare, and in no time you’ll have some fresh hot bread. Flat bread served with some dip or cheese is divine for an evening treat. Any time is a good time to have fresh hot bread. By the way, flat bread does not have to be just flat bread. You can spruce it up by adding a few pinches of dried garlic, dried herbs, ground chilli powder or flakes, or even some lemon pepper. Wow, what a selection of fresh bread! However, the best way to have this bread is with a side serving of guacamole.

At home

Label the bag and place all ingredients into the allocated bag. Copy or print out Method at camp and keep together with the bag.

Method at camp

Add the bread mix bag contents to a bowl. Slowly stir in ¼ cup of water into the bread mix, stirring it to make a dough. Halve the mix and in your hand roll the half amount of dough into a ball. Using your fingers push out into a round disc either on a flat surface or in the pan. Place the pan over a low heat, add the flat bread and cook for about 2 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip and cook again for about 2 minutes. Serve.

Bag 1 (bread mix)

Water - ¼ cup