OUTDOOR GOURMET COMPANY, $16.95
The gourmand’s freeze-dried brand, OGC, is part of the Back
Country family, made in New Zealand.MEDITERRANEAN LAMB AND BLACK OLIVES:
‘Seasoned lamb with a fusion of Mediterranean spices, couscous
and roast vegetables’
Ta : I like this. The lamb has that sponginess but what can you
expect from a freeze-dried meal other than slightly chewy meat?
If you left it a little longer...
D: This tastes nice and... Mediterranean. The tomatoes have
come out quite well. That’s one of the nicest OGC f lavours I’ve
tried. The olives aren’t great — a bit too soft.
G: I can taste the lamb but then I’m like ‘is it lamb?’
Th: The meat is tender but a little like tofu, the texture chewy but
tender.
D: Like a dog toy?MURGH MAKANI (BUTTER CHICKEN):
‘Chicken and rice in a thick gravy of cream, coriander, tomato
and ginger sauce garnished with dried almonds.’
D: Doesn’t look anything like butter chicken, not orange enough.
Doesn’t taste bad though.
Ta : I like it but it’s a solid taste. I felt if I ate that whole bag, I’d get
sick of it. It doesn’t have a f lavour medley like the last one, where
you can appreciate the different elements.
Th: I like the crunch of the almond, and the chicken has a better
texture than the lamb did. It’s softer and falls apart more like
proper slow-cooked meat.GO NATIVE, $12.95
Another Kiwi brand. Not dehydrated but boil-in-the-bag,
to be served with a carb accompaniment.CHILLI CON CARNE:
Th: This has got a nice sauciness to it, and the bean’s got a
little bite.
D: I really like it. Just like home-cooked chilli. Of course it’s
easier to get a great taste if you’re not drying it.
G: Mmm, this is amazing.
P: The pack is tough to rip and too big to properly submerge
in the Trangia pot, so maybe it’s aimed at car campers
rather than hikers with small stoves.VEGETABLE CURRY:
P: It’s quite gelatinous. Spicy though.
D: I don’t think I like the f lavor of the curry.
P: I don’t mind that, I just don’t like the mouth-feel.
D: It’s getting better in my mouth actually. The aftertaste is
better than the foretaste.
Ta : I don’t mind it but because it isn’t dehydrated it’s
heavier.
P: It might be handy if you knew there wasn’t going to be
any water.
Th: Not a fan. It’s too sweet and the potato falls apart too
easily.OUTDOOR AMPLITUDE
104 / Outdoor