Paddle Meals: Mexican Meals for Yakers

June-July 1999

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web

by Barb Shaw

Whether you are paddling in the Sea of Cortez, surrounded by desert, or retracing the footsteps of the Spaniards who sailed up from Mexico to Nootka Sound, Mexican meals add variety and great taste to the outdoor menu. To save time and confusion in camp, mix up this Mexican spice mixture in advance.

Mexican spice mix

3 TB cumin, 3 TB chili powder, 3 TB thyme, 2 TB basil, 1 TB garlic powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper (very hot, use more if you like). Makes 12 TB or 3/4 cup. (TB=tablespoon; tsp=teaspoon--one TB=3 tsp) Make more spice mix for large groups or long trips.

Camper's Quesadillas

4 to 6 tortillas per person, corn, flour or whole wheat. Heat a dry frying pan. Lay one tortilla in the pan. On top of it, drop thin slices of any cheese, a generous sprinkle of Mexican spice mixture, any minced vegetable you'd like. Lay on a second tortilla to cover the first. As soon as the cheese melts, flip the tortilla over and warm the reverse side. Cut in quarters and pass them around hot off the pan.

Any cooked seafood can also be added and quesadillas are a good place to use green foods you pick, for example:

Sunny spots: tender leaves of curly dock, dandelion, mustards, cress, bracken fern fiddleheads.
Shady spots: wood sorrel, candy flower, miners lettuce, leaves of violets.
Intertidal: Ulva bright green sea lettuce, slices of any brown kelp, cooked meat of limpets, mussels, oysters etc.

Spicy Bean Burritos (quick meal for 4)

12 tortillas
1 (15oz) can fat free refried beans, or instant dried refried beans
1 (4oz) jar salsa, or Mexican spice mix, plus dry onions

Spread the bean mixture on soft tortillas and roll them up. Heat if you want to get fancy. For fat burritos add cheese, veggies, or meat. For appetizers cut the roll-ups into rounds.

Our regular contributor Deb Leach is off traveling the world. Barb Shaw is a freelance writer living in Oregon.