When I first began to backpack, the food I ate didn't seem to fit at all the way I felt - exhilarated, healthy, and at peace with nature.... (from the Introduction)

{HISTORY}

As Plato said,  “necessity is the mother of invention," and like any good cooking story, this one starts with a very distinct need: good food eaten while hiking, camping, walking, birdwatching, mountaineering, and generally enjoying time spent in the great outdoors.

Not interested in eating freeze-dried foods, chemical-laced preservatives, or shelf-stable, pre-packaged, ready-made meals, press photographer, pianist, and avid hiker, Gretchen McHugh (1942-2020) went on a mission in the early 1980s to discover the best ways to bring homemade, minimally processed, visually appealing, nutritious food on the trail.

A delight of a cookbook that not only feeds the belly but also the culinary spirit, The Hungry Hiker's Book of Good Cooking was published in 1982 under the editorial guidance of Judith Jones, and quickly came to delight outdoor adventurers everywhere. Focused on preparing simple delicious food using dehydrated meats, fish, vegetables, and fruits along with pantry staples, easy to tote fresh ingredients, and basic cooking equipment, Gretchen transformed the way outdoor enthusiasts ate their way through their sporting activities. 

Covering all the culinary jobs from prep to packing to on-site cooking, Gretchen also includes a wealth of information on food storage, nutrition, camping equipment, and ingredient substitutes. She also provides fascinating and straightforward information on dehydrating food using several different methods (the sun, an oven, or a simple-to-make homemade dehydrator box). 

As a camper, hiking aficionado and mom of two kids herself, Gretchen knew the challenges of being both a gourmand on the trail and also the sole cook responsible for nutritionally feeding her active family.

Knowing that there were many others just like her in the hiking world,  when it came to her cookbook she made things simple, easy, and economical for the activity at hand without sacrificing the joy of cooking a homemade meal. With menus for all types of activities, time/weather constraints, and number of participants in the group, Gretchen also highlights menus for hikers who enjoy settling into their campsite and look forward to partaking in a leisurely cooking activity or two, not just a quick meal. By including some lengthier dishes to prepare, like a meat and vegetable soup with fresh dumplings (a 90-minute endeavor), Gretchen celebrates the beauty of cooking just as much as the beauty of the outdoors.

All meals of the day are included from breakfast to dinner, along with snacks and desserts, and meal suggestions for children. In addition to camping classics like Granola, S'mores, G.O.R.P. and fresh caught fish, other interesting recipes include Max's Fried Bread and Garlic, Beef Ragout, Erie Stew, Pasta with Ham, Peas and Mushroom Sauce, Chicken and Vegetable Stir-fry, Mexican Tacos, Polenta and Sausages, Rice with Potato and Bacon, Lentils with Eggplant and Noodles, Tabbouleh Salad, Stir-Fried Sweet-and-Sour Red Cabbage, Mixed Fruit with Brandy, Camp Cake, Indian Pudding, Jim Hewins's Sourdough Pancakes, Jerky Stew, Eggs McHugh Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Honey Bars and Fred's Potato Soup.

Greeted with much gratitude and appreciation, The Hungry Hiker's Book of Good Cooking quickly became a beloved classic. Deemed the ultimate in hiking fare when it debuted, it is still widely referenced and resourced over 40 years later. 

Photo of Gretchen Mchugh by John Van Horne courtesy of The Riverdale Press. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• 1982 First Edition, paperback
• 286 pages
• Includes 135 recipes 
• Contains many detailed charts and diagrams for dehydrating food, packing amounts, provision checklists, foraging guidelines, cleaning fresh-caught fish and menu planning
• Illustrated throughout by Susan Gaber, who has illustrated several vintage cookbooks that have come through the shop 

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition, this book is clean and bright throughout with no cooking spots, stains, or notations. The paperback coverboards are in great shape with no wrinkles creases or stains. The spine is tight, and all pages are intact.

{SIZE}

Measures 8" inches (length) x 6" inches (width) x .75" inches (thickness) and weighs 1 lb. 

{DONATION SUPPORTED!}

This cookbook gives back! 20% of the proceeds from the sale of this cookbook will be donated to Feeding America- a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, and local meal programs dedicated to providing nutritious meals to food-insecure communities around the United States.