Bush Recipes: Monster Mash-ups

A solid serve of carbohydrates is the basis for an evening meal in the bush, a stockpile of energy for the following day's walk. The most popular form is pasta, followed by couscous and rice. The humble potato rarely gets a look-in. It's not that most campers wouldn't relish a serve of chips if there was a feasible way of preparing them. Potatoes baked in the embers of a campfire are a treat, but they are relatively heavy items to carry. Which leaves instant mashed potato, the theme of this issue's recipes. It has a similar energy/weight value as pasta, and is quicker to prepare than even couscous, yet it isn't often taken on overnight walks, probably due to its reputation as a staple item for people who can't cook. And yet just as a simple sauce livens up what would otherwise be a bland bowl of noodles, so a few extra ingredients can transform the derided Deb into gourmet bush tucker.

• Wasabi mashed potato with Salmon
• Deb-el-Baharat

Wasabi mashed potato with Salmon

A very simple and quick dish to prepare (the only cooking required is to boil water), yet with its exotic flavour and attractive presentation, you will be the envy of fellow campers..

Serving size: 1 medium portion Ingredients Dried potato flakes (60-100g, depending on how hungry you are) Sachet salmon in spring water (100g) Wasabi paste, ½ -1 tsp (available in small tubes)

1. Make up mashed potato by adding boiling water (approx 100ml per 20g), stir well until it is smooth and evenly mixed.
2. Stir in wasabi paste, a little at a time, to taste. The aim is to provide a hint of wasabi flavour, not blast your tastebuds with each mouthful. If the potato ends up turning bright green, you have probably added too much!
3. Arrange the salmon next to the potato.
4. Accompany with a selection of vegetables, fresh (eg carrot, zucchini, cherry tomatoes) or dried(eg 'Surprise' peas, corn) prepared according to packet directions.