BushwalkBushwalk
Online Food Supplies
Sonya Muhlsimmer
So you have a big trip coming up and it is now time to start preparing your food. There are a lot of recipes you can make at home with a few simple ingredients from the supermarkets, Asian shops and health food shops and of course online suppliers. This article will talk about some online supplies that are on my go-to list. I love online shopping as you can compare prices and check out what is on the market all from the comfort of your own space. You can shop at any time of the day or night and not have to drive anywhere, find parking and deal with the sometimes crazy busy shops, unless you like that kind of thing of course.
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Since publishing my book Xtreme Gourmet I have had numerous people asking me where to get certain ingredients, and unfortunately some of the ingredients that were readily available in the supermarkets are not available in the shops any more. That is due to those pesky food manufacturers that sometimes delete products even though they are a great product, or the supermarket stop selling an item in a certain area as the market is not strong there. You should be able to find a substitute for something, or if not, shop online and see what you can find. There is
a plethora of ingredients you can buy online just as long as you don’t mind paying the postage.
This is not an exhaustive list as there is so much out there, but gee, it will get you a few good supplies. Except iHerb, all these online shops listed are Australian. I like to support the Australian businesses. Did I mention the petrol and kilometres you will save from shopping online? This also keeps a delivery driver in a job, win-win.
Disclaimer: this list was correct at the time of writing, but the information may change at any time. Also, I do not have any affiliate association with any of these companies, I just like some of the products they offer.
Where to buyEgg powder
Supplier
Product
Weight
Cost
Egg powder
2 kg
$55
Egg replacer
340 g
$8.50
Whole Egg Powder
150 g
$5.95
No Egg – egg replacer
200 g
$3.90
This is expensive due to the process involved. You can always vacuum seal this product in small quantities and it will last for years, or share with friends.
Sometimes, if you are lucky, Farm Pride - Whole Egg Powder is available at some Coles or Woolworths supermarkets. It can be found in the baking section, or in the fridge near the eggs. Check online to see if the supermarket close to you has it in stock.
If all else fails you can use Orgran No Egg, Egg replacer, or Bobs Red Mill Egg Replacer which can be found in health food shops. Prices can be different depending where you get it from.
Olives
Supplier
Product
Weight
Cost
Semi Dried Olives
150 g
$6.75
Pitted Peruvian Botija Sun dried olives
227 g
$28.66
Sun dried olives
500 g
$12.50
Peanut butter and honey powders
Supplier
Product
Weight
Cost
Peanut butter powder
250 g
$20
Freeze dried Manuka honey
100 g
$35
“You should be able to find a substitute for something, or if not, shop online and see what you can find.
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Bacon bits
Supplier
Product
Weight
Cost
Coconut bacon
60 g
$7.95
Bac’uns vegetarian bits
70 g
$6.85
Bacon flavoured bits
100 g
$5.95
Beef jerky
Supplier
Product
Weight
Cost
Smokey, teriyaki, char grill, chilli or hot
120 g
$17.50
Biltong in a range of flavours – traditional, garlic, chilli
2 x 150 g
$32
A range of flavours
40 g to 1 kg
$6-89
Chorizo
Supplier
Product
Weight
Cost
chorizo, jerky, pepperoni and salami
3-400 g
$22-$25
Without naming names, I organised food for a 90 day expedition for someone, and I got a range of salami, jerky and chorizo and it lasted well through the trip. This stuff is the bomb. It can last up to a year with proper storage.
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Storage of dried foodThe secret to longevity of these ingredients is storing these foods correctly. Apart from salami and chorizo, store the ingredients in an air-tight container in the cupboard, or vacuum sealed in the cupboard and you can get years out of most dried foods. Avoiding light and air is the secret. Dried foods can last a long time even after the best before date. Don’t tell anyone but I have a packet of Freeze Dried Capers in my cupboard that was best before August 2017, and they are still fine to eat. Salami and chorizo can depend on how they are made as to how to store them correctly.
Food Co-opsNot all Food Co-op shops are online but they are great. They are a non-for-profit, community establishment. They are run by an army of volunteers and if you become a member and you do a bit of voluntary work every now and then, you get a good discount. These are the kinds of shops that can be found. Blue Mountains Food Co-op and The Raw Food Store.
Generally speaking, you can take your own containers and bags. It cuts down on buying too much as you weigh out exactly how much you want to buy, so buy as little or as much as you want. They also offer some packaged goods and if you forget your bags or containers, they have jars and paper bags you can take for a very small fee. The planet will thank you for reducing rubbish.
Freeze dried ingredients
Supplier
Product
Weight
Cost
CornVegetable soup blend
224 g453 g
$15 $28
The same corn product is in Melbourne vitamin shops for $49.95
Apple, apricot, beetroot, banana, blackberries, blueberries, capers, mango, peas, corn, freeze dried powders such as tomato powder. Soups, tomato paste replacer and porcini mushroom.
Up to 150 g
$19 to $32
Freeze dried fruitFreeze Dried Cheese
10 x 10 g pack carton
$39.50$64.50
Vegetables and powders such as spinach, tomato granules, carrot, capsicum, leek pumpkin powder
500 g to 2 kg
Starting from $8
They are pretty expensive, but you only need a little as a little goes a long way. Again share with your friends.
Again share with your friends.
“... you can get years out of most dried foods.
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