Reviews > Food > Packaged Meals > Fantastic Foods > Owner Review by Lynne Durham

Fantastic Foods Instant Black Beans and Refried Beans

PRODUCT INFORMATION

REVIEWER EXPERIENCE

MY CAMP COOKING HISTORY

Because I grew up car camping, my first style of camp cooking was elaborate, usually involving coolers full of meats, multi-burner propane stoves or large wood fires, fresh vegetables, etc. When I made the jump to backpacking, I knew immediately that this would change, but I wasn't willing to sacrifice good food for lighter weight. I went on a quest to find lightweight, tasty foods and I found Fantastic Foods instant foods. Now when I backpack, I use “just add water” foods exclusively.

HOW I PREPARE THESE PRODUCTS

The package directions for both the Fantastic Foods Instant Black Beans and Instant Refried Beans say to prepare by adding boiling water. Here’s how I have used these products.

Once the package is opened, both of these instant foods have a flaky-powdery consistency. While at home packing, I usually measure out single servings into zipper-type baggies. For my tastes, the black beans are well spiced as is; I usually add a dash of cayenne to the refried beans.

If I am having these for dinner, I will heat water and add it to the baggie. I never really bring it to a full boil – just hot enough that it will be warm when I eat the beans. I never measure out how much water I add. Instead, I pour in water based on how I’m eating them for that meal. (This will be explained as I move into how I eat these products.)

If I am having these for dinner, I add cold water to the baggie after breakfast and carry it with me until lunch time. It may not be warm, but the beans are always sufficiently hydrated and tasty enough to eat.

MY “RECIPES”

I use these instant beans in a couple of different ways.

• Pour in enough hot water so that the beans look slightly soupy before they rehydrate and stir well. Let sit for 5 minutes. The beans will be a normal, thick refried beans consistency after sitting. Spread onto a whole-wheat soft tortilla, add some sharp cheddar, squeeze on a packet of Taco John’s Hot Taco Sauce, roll and eat. Voila – bean burritos.
• Pour in enough hot water so that the beans look slightly soupy before they rehydrate and stir well. Let sit for 5 minutes. The beans will be a normal, thick refried beans consistency after sitting. Stir in some crushed corn tortilla chips, add some sharp cheddar, squeeze on a packet of Taco John’s Hot Taco Sauce, and eat. Voila – “walking” tacos.
• Before leaving the house, add the following to a baggie containing a serving of Fantastic Foods Instant Black Beans: dehydrated tomatoes, a tablespoonful of textured vegetable protein, one or two tablespoonsful of instant-cooking rice, dehydrated green pepper, a dash of hot pepper flakes, a dash of dried onion, a dash of dried garlic and any other dried something-or-other that strikes my fancy. On the trail, I rehydrate in my cook pot with lots of extra boiling water to make a trail version of black bean soup. Yummy!

THIS IS COOL

• Both of these products contain lots of fiber…and I’m a big fan of fiber in the diet
• Both of these products are low-fat
• For my tastes, the weight-to-flavor ratio is great

THIS COULD BE IMPROVED

• I wish I could find these products in larger packages for a more economical option

SUMMARY

I enjoy packing Fantastic Foods Instant Black Beans and Instant Refried Beans for use on the trail. I love the light weight and the great flavor.

Reviews > Food > Packaged Meals > Fantastic Foods > Owner Review by Lynne Durham