Rating: | 8.4 / 10 |
Value for Money | 2.0 / 2.5 |
Taste | 1.8 / 2.5 |
Convenience | 2.2 / 2.5 |
Weight | 2.4 / 2.5 |
The Outdoor Gourmet Company provides freeze dried meals to the Australian market. As far as commercially preprepared meals go and as the name suggests, they are a high end, high taste product. I’m a big fan of their current range and while I will very happily eat any of them, I do have my favourites.
The Outdoor Gourmet Vegan Lentil Dahl is the newest meal to the range. As the name suggests its a vegan offering and an addition to the meatless meal offerings hitting the market.
Unlike other companies, Outdoor Gourmet focuses on meals for two. These meals are larger than many of their competitor’s offerings weighing 190 grams and approximately 8-9% more than others which doesn’t sound like much but does help explain the premium price. I’m a big eater and after a two week long trip I’m looking for more calories having used up my body’s reserves. So by this stage I will often pack some two person servings to have every 2-3 nights. In testing this meal I did manage to get through all of it but it took me a while.
These meals are very easy to prepare and as long as you can boil water then you are set. Preparation time is only 10-15 minutes (but I suggest you go for 15). The recommended water addition of 500 mls is spot-on and was readily absorbed without leaving the meal looking like soup. The meal comes in a bag that is well designed – the bottom opens out to provide a flat base for those minimalists who want to leave the bowl at home. The option exists to tear off the top of the bag to allow easy access to the food but you if you have a long handled spoon, you won’t need to tear the bag. My other reason for not tearing off the top of the bag is that you minimise any mess – after you’re done you can re-zip the bag.
There is a bit of heat to this meal as far as spiciness is concerned but it’s not on the same level as the Tandoori Chicken meal. Most hikers will cope with the level of heat but it’s worthwhile testing this out at home prior to make sure it’s not hotter than you like.
The texture and taste of this meal is good and the various components that make up this meal resemble what they should, it doesn’t look artificial. In fact as far as vegan meals go, its enjoyable although some of the lentils are a bit firm even after 15minutes of soaking in hot water.
The obvious negative with any freeze dried meals, and in particular with Outdoor Gourmet offerings, is the price. The normal price sits around the AUD$24.90 RRP mark and at about $12.50 per person that isn’t cheap. Having said that, the products do have a long shelf life so you can stock up during the regular sales at the outdoor stores. Also, being some of the largest two person meals on the market when you factor that in, they work out to be quite economical.
The Outdoor Gourmet Vegan Lentil Dahl is a good meal option. While it’s never going to replace my favourite meal offerings from Outdoor Gourmet, I’d be happy to eat it on those colder nights when two of us are camping or during those big trips when I’m looking for lots of food.
Great choice for an easy to prepare meal whether it be on a short or long trip
The Outdoor Gourmet meals are really good for couples being just that little bit bigger which make all the difference after a week on the trail
You can purchase the Outdoor Gourmet Vegan Lentil Dahl online from Macpac, or from Wildfire Sports
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The Outdoor Gourmet Company includes a range of nine main meals in a twin serve size.
AUD $24.99 RRP
Outdoor Gourmet Vegan Lentil Dahl as purchased
The bottom of the bag opens out to provide a flat surface. Opening out the base will allow the meal to more evenly rehydrate. If you don’t open the base out, you will get ‘dry pieces’ in your dinner
Outdoor Gourmet Vegan Lentil Dahl ingrediant list
Picture of the uncooked meal in the open bag
The meal now rehydrated and the bag ‘torn down’. The real food is recognisable in these meals. Using the packaging as a bowl saves carrying one when you really don’t need to
This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker
20 October 2024