what to pack!?
February 17, 2011 Heading to the mountains is always a production. I love it, but it’s also a bit exhausting. There are so many things to remember and so much food to prepare + pack. I usually keep things pretty simple, but we’re going up for 2 days this trip and will need a bit more variety.
The easiest and most filling lunch on the mountain is a PB+J. It’s easy to stick in your pocket and easy to eat while riding a lift. Since I’m still not eating gluten, I was trying to figure out what I should do instead of PB+J. I know I can buy gluten-free bread, but didn’t feel like shelling out $5 for a tiny loaf.
Instead, I came up with something better.
Something better than bread.
Part socca.
Part buckwheat bake.
All delicious.
Typically, socca is baked in a round pan. Today I decided to use a square pan, so I could have nice straight edges to make a sandwich. The texture is dense and not really like bread at all. I’m not exactly sure what to compare it too. Somewhat similar to the density of pound cake. However this isn’t filled with butter + sugar, but it’s still really delicious!
My PB + J problem has been solved and improved.
Cinnamon Coconut Raisin Bake
- 3/4c chickpea flour
- 1/2c raw buckwheat flour [ground from raw buckwheat groats, not Kasha]
- 1/4t salt
- 1T sucanat or pure cane sugar
- 1c water
- 1.5t cinnamon
- 2T unrefined coconut oil, melted
- 1/3c currants or raisins
- 1/4c unsweetened shredded coconut
- Preheat oven to 375*
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients and stir well until fully combined.
- Grease a 9x9 square pan [or 8-9” round pan].
- If using the sq. pan bake for 35min.
*No need to toothpick test. When done, the bake will be pulled away from the edges, browned and cracked all over the top.
*Feel free to use all chickpea flour, or a mix of oat flour + quinoa flour, buckwheat flour + millet flour, etc.
*I have no idea what would happen if you use wheat flour, since it contains gluten. Use at your own risk! ;)
This is seriously a gluten free dream! Even if you can tolerate gluten, you will love this unique recipe! I could not stop breaking pieces off of this bake. Slightly crunchy, slightly sweet, great chew, cinnamon infused, sturdy enough for toppings…and it couldn’t be easier to make!
Slathered with Cocoa-Nut Almond Butter + Crofters Jam. It was really hard to pack this up and not devour it right then + there. It’s also delicious plain…as I found out from eating 1/4 of the pan this afternoon!
I will definitely be looking forward to lunchtime on the mountain with this in my pocket!
What other food did I pack?
- apples [wash at home]
- oranges
- nut clusters
- instant coffee [for the AM]
- pb+j or ab+j wrapped in foil
- rice crisp crackers
- PURE bars
- overnight oats for Friday breakfast
- Love Grown Foods granola packs
- Justin’s nut butters
- oatmeal raisin granola bars
- Udi’s mutli-grain gluten free bagel to make morning egg sandwiches on Saturday [These bagels are so good!]
- hard boiled eggs
- white cheddar cheese
The only meal we’ll have to “eat out” for is Friday night’s dinner.
We’re leaving bright + early at 5:30am Friday morning and will be heading back Saturday evening. The bro-in-law + sis-in-law are watching the pups and we’re staying at our friends’ condo Friday night, up in the mountains. Should be a fun time!!
Are you good at packing on the go? It takes a bit of time + planning, but it’s so worth it….taste + money wise!
Heads up for a Saturday video post! Catch you back here Saturday night!
Ashley
Recipes, almond butter, buckwheat, chickpea flour, cocoa, coconut
Reader Comments (85)
You are seriously killing it with these recipes lately! I need to make time to try all of them!
Love your food stash. I think Udi's bagels are great too :)
I am just packing for my weekend in mountaints. Lots of fruit, some veggies to snack on, sandwiches for the hiking, energy bars, and I plan to buy some canned tuna and maybe some stuffed pasta for emergency lunch and dinner. You never know, right. Better be stuffed that starving :)
That little sammie looks like it has staying power.
When it comes to food packing its always better to have way too much than not enough.
It's always the worst when your starving and snackless, especially in the mountains were food is $$$
looking delicious!!
have fun ?
wow that socca/buckwheat bake is brilliant! STILL havent made socca (thought I had chickpea flour but apparently didn't) but this seems even cooler. and, I stocked up on CP flour
Costco (thornton and louisville) has Rudi's GF bread- 2 loaves for $6. Almost as good as Udis and larger loaves. Can't wait to try some of your recipes!
I really wish it was possible for your blog to pop out little samples! That bake looks amazing :)
Gosh your spoiling us with all these fabulous recipes lately. I'm falling behind in trying them all. This weekend is definitely going to see the trial of socca in some form though! Thank you and have a fabulous time away.
Have a wonderful weekend away!
Ohhhmaigawd. A girl after my own heart!! This is the healthiest, most protein dense "bread" recipe I have ever seen!! I cannot wait to try this, especially because I'm gluten free and most gf breads are not very nutrient dense. Thanks girlie girl!
Gimme some of dat cinnamon coconut raisin bake. YUM!!
Sure thing dad...right away! ;)
I hope you like it as much as I do!!
Wow! That looks absolutely amazing. I can't wait to try it! I'm actually going to try one of your breakfast bakes tomorrow for breakfast. I'm super excited.
Have fun in the mountains!!
I have been loving making all different variations of gluten-free breads with millet, chickpea, and buckwheat flours. I don't have a gluten allergy but not having to deal with yeast is awesome! All these breads are so quick to put together I usually make them after dinner, slice them up, and throw them in the freezer. They are great with my lunches during the week! Sometimes I even make them in muffin tins so they are already pre-portioned and each one gets the crispy edge!
Ok, I don't think I have ever seen anyone pack like I do for a trip! I do the same thing and my husband used to call them my hobo snacks. Now that he has been diagnosed with celiac, he asks for me to pack things! The bread looks incredible! My two favorite gluten free flours are buckwheat and chickpea! I will definitely put this on my list of things to make for my next trip!
This is genius! I need to make it, ASAP!
xo
That's incredible. I am making that pronto!
And...I just bought Love Grown Granola! I can't wait to put it on my yogurt this morning!! Have fun in the mountains.
socca sandwhich! Looks so lovely. Packing food ahead of time is so essential for me and my husband -- even if we're staying at our parents' houses -- being a gluten free vegetarian makes it hard for them to know what we can eat.
We're going on a road trip today (6 hours to Nashville) and I made "granola" bars and I'm packing a bunch of little snacks for the trip. We actually really enjoy eating out so I don't mind eating out dinners, but it's nice to have healthy breakfasts and other snacks in the room.
Have fun in the mountains! Planning does take time but when you have all of your necessities and some great meals it's all worth it.
Such beautiful bread! Wow.
Have to try this!
This is a GREAT recipe! I haven't experimented with socca yet but I like this idea of using it for a sandwich.
This looks amazing! Chickpea flour is one of my favorite flours, so anything using it is already pretty great in my book. But there's also just something about the crisp, clean, dense rectangularity of these that looks incredibly appealing.
What a lovely way to enjoy your pbnj! I just packed one for my lunch this afternoon on regular old whole wheat bread, but this looks so much more interesting!
you are so talented! wow!
You are so creative with these recipes! I feel like I'm getting so behind on trying out your creations- I'm going home this weekend, so I'l be sure to hit up Whole Foods. Hopefully I can find buckwheat groats there? I'm thinking in the bulk bins. Can't wait to try this!
EVERYTHING tastes better when you are up in the mountains skiing/boarding/hiking,WHATEVER, but this assortment looks extra awesome.
have a blast!
Have fun!! That sandwich looks better than any pb&j I've seen. :)
I always pack lunch when I snowboard cause the food is limited & expensive! I usually pack a sandwich, some fruit, and some quick energy snacks like a bar or bag of almonds, oh and my water bottle!
wow. just when i thought it couldn't get any better! this idea is PERFECT! i would love to try a mix of millet, buckwheat and brown rice!!
that bread looks delicious! do you think i could substitute the buckwheat flour for something else?
also, while you're gone, can i come raid your kitchen? haha
have fun!
If I take the time I need to shop/plan, I'm pretty good at packing food to go. From going to the gym early and going straight to work, I've gotten very familiar with how to pack breakfast, lunch and all snacks for the day to go and make it be a pretty healthy variety of things.
Your bread-like bake looks amazing - your creativity always inspires me!
Hope you have a great time on your trip!!
Wow this looks good. And I'm using some of your tips for our own getaway this weekend. We're off to the Catskills right after work . . . and we didn't prepare any foods. AHHH!
ooh yum that socca looks awesome I have been wanting to try it out for awhile now!
I love how your brain works!! This bread looks magnificent!
This is great. My sister just went gluten-free and is always complaining about how small/expensive gluten-free bread is. Packing food for vacations is a life saver!
I definitely go overkill when it comes to packing food. I'd rather have too much than be caught in a situation where there's nothing I can eat!
I decided I'm coming to travel with you from now on.... :)
Safe and happy travels!
This looks wonderful, awesome idea! I need to try more socca.
Oh I am TERRIBLE at packing. Especially for cold weather places/activities. I don't want to be stuck being cold. Do you guys ski/board all day without breaks? I know I need the lunch break to give my legs and limbs a bit of a break from the workout and the cold. :)
ANd all of your eats look delish!
What a great idea! I tried socca for the first time the other night and made a delicious pizza. I didn't use your recipe this time (since it was my first attempt), but rather made it simply with a mixture of water, salt, and oregano. I'm looking forward to trying some fun alterations. Garbanzo bean flour is so cheap and versatile, I love it. Especially since I've been gluten-free for the past 6 months (although you would never be able to tell from my baking blog! Hehe, our little secret...)
Such creativity!! I am going gluten-free next week, any advice?? I know that my meals are usually gluten free but it's snacks (cracker, bread, etc) that I get caught up with. As for ski trips, I am much more of a weekender than a day trip person, I get so stressed with one day to pack all that stuff and drive! Have such a great weekend!!
I'm in the midst of packing for a week-long roadtrip right now (leaving Monday!). I'm the worst (over) packer of life, so I feel your pain.
Question: I SOO cannot wait to try this recipe, but I was wondering, what can I sub for "unrefined coconut oil"? WOuld any other oil work (ie. canola)? Coconut is delicious...but 'spensivee :S
izzyy
xox
I like to pack on the go for the family. Last weekend we went to Kalahari Waterpark in Ohio, and I packed very similar things for us to eat, so we only ate out for dinner.
Does it taste more like a hard cracker than?I assume it's not soft like bread?!
Great snacks - still don't think I'd be able to give up yogurt and stuff...otherwise it just feels like too much crackers, oats, etc. - which I LOVE - but in addition to other stuff. ;)
Holy moly, this recipe took my breath away. I'm making these tomorrow, no if, ands or buts about it. You have an amazing talent. All of your gluten free recipes have been SO delicious and inspiring.
When I'm on the hill my concern is: will my sandwich still be in one piece by the time I get to eating it. I fall so many times, in the most awkward, most horrible positions ever, I just avoid having food with me and ask my boyfriend to wear the backpack.
GIRL...this looks great!!! I know what I making for me this weekend :)
Have fun in the mountains!
Wow! That looks amazing, thanks so much for the recipe!!