Preparing great food can be a real challenge for campers when they're "out there." But author Margaret Howard has teamed up with avid camper Kevin Callan to provide nutritious recipes that can be made and enjoyed in the great outdoors. Many have two components - preparation that can be done before leaving home, and camp-side cooking. From herb stuffed grilled fish to berry good pancakes, the authors have some great ideas for innovative meals. But for campers heading out with a backpack rather than a minivan and large coolers, many of the recipes will be challenging in that some of the ingredients they call for, such as yogurt, milk, cheese and eggs, require refrigeration - a difficult feat in true wilderness. Some require a Dutch oven or a good skillet. Still, there are sufficient options in the cookbook to keep wilderness campers and their "soft adventure" counterparts interested. Recipes for high calorie and nutritious snacks for hikers on the move: granola squares, fruit ‘n' fiber cookies and cereal bars that can be made at home are easy to prepare.. The authors also offer useful tips for menu planning, foraging for ingredients and cold weather nutrition. (March) North American Distribution: Firefly Books © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

The compact, easy-to-use format is a not inconsiderable asset of this inclusive, attractive handbook on preparing meals while enjoying the outdoors. In calling this a gourmet camp cookbook, the authors aren't just putting on the dog. Although the champagne-and-caviar route is not the direction they follow, their book certainly promotes campsite meals that are a cut above hot dogs and hamburgers. Underscoring their advice is their laudable sentiment that the best part of planning a camping trip is organizing the food. For them, a good, nutritious breakfast is essential, while lunch should be quick and not slow down the trip. Snacks add energy and boost morale, but dinner is where campers should pull out all the stops, the authors advocating using fancy recipes and making the meal an extravagant affair. Of course, a great supply of recipes is provided for all these occasions, and very helpful fundamental information is discussed, including buying supplies in bulk, keeping food critter proof, building campfires, and the process of food dehydration. Final words are addressed to living off the land rather than taking supplies with you.--Hooper, Brad Copyright 2010 Booklist