Vegan Backpacking Food | Chick’n Pesto Pasta
Pesto and pasta is one of my all time favorite meals, but sometimes eating only noodles and sauce doesn’t cut it. Soy curls are a great way to add a lot of protein and meat-like texture to your vegan backpacking meals.
First, do not re-hydrate the soy curls in just water! They will taste awful. Soak them in a broth and make them ten times more flavorful. In this recipe I’m using the “Not Chick’n” bouillon cube. It’s totally vegan and It will make those soy curls taste just like chicken.
I used a recipe from The Minimalist Baker to make my own vegan pesto and vegan parmesan. They are both super easy to make and they will last at least a few days on the trail.
Finally, for the topping I added sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and vegan parmesan. The parmesan is optional but it does add extra flavor.
Vegan Chick’n Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 75g Angel Hair Pasta
- 20g Dried Soy Curls
- 15g Sun Dried Tomatoes
- 1/2 “Not Chick’n” Bouillon Cube
- 1 tbsp Vegan Pesto
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Toasted Pine Nuts
- 1 tsp salt
Fill pot with one cup water. Add half a bouillon cube into the water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat as soon as the water boils.
Place the soy curls in a separate container and cover them with the broth. Cover and move to the side. Allow the soy curls to soak for 10 mins.
Place angel hair pasta into the stove pot and cover with water. Add salt and olive oil. Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat immediately after the water starts to boil.
Cover the pasta and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Stir and allow the pasta to sit for another 5 minutes. When the pasta is ready, drain the excess water.
By now your soy curls should be fully hydrated. Drain the broth and transfer the soy curls to the pasta.
Top with remaining olive oil and pesto sauce and stir. Finish with vegan parmesan (optional).
Eat!
Did you make this while you were out backpacking or camping? Did you make it at home? Let everyone know how it was and leave a comment below! Take a photo and tag me on instagram @veganoutdoors_ or use the hashtag #veganoutdoors – I would love to see you enjoying these recipes on the trail!
Looking for a good vegan backpacking breakfast recipe? Check out my favorite oatmeal recipe – Golden Oats!