Those Campfire Recipes - Strawberry Banana Trail Pudding

When I discovered Freezer Bag Cooking I just about died and went to heaven and wanted to kiss the author that wrote the first recipe that I found. You see, I'm the camp cook (who am I kidding, I'm the all the time cook), and I want to relax in the campground as much as anyone else.  While freezer bag cooking is designed for the trail and I hope to be using it there soon, it makes life in the campground easier and more fun, too.

You'll need:

• 1 Package Instant Banana Pudding (4 serving size)
• 1 Packet Whipped Topping Mix
• 2/3 cup Dry Milk
• 1/2 Cup Dried Strawberries
• 2 Cups Cold Water Plus A Little More For The Strawberries
• 1 Gallon Size Freezer Bag
•  1 Quart Size Freezer Bag

At home, mix the pudding, dream whip and dried milk in the gallon bag, measure your strawberries in the quart bag and pack together. In the campground add a little water to the strawberries, zip shut and set aside to start rehydrating. If you are cooking other things and have hot water, use that as the strawberries plump up faster when the water is warmed.

Add 2 cups cold water to the dry mix and shake for several minutes. If you have kids in your group, this is a fun way to have them participate, handing the bag around the group and everyone takes a turn shaking it. The colder the mixture is, the firmer your pudding will be, so if you have an ice filled cooler, lay it in there for several minutes. once firm, drain excess water from strawberries, mix and serve.

If making this on the trail. it can be eaten as a very soft pudding without chilling, or if access to a patch of snow or a cold stream, it could be chilled using one of those, too.