Chana Masala

Maybe I don't expect a lot from freeze-dried meals, which also makes me cringe at their cost, but I think this meal was one of the better ones I've had. Yes, it's not restaurant or homemade quality. If you pick up a freeze-dried meal expecting that, then I don't know what to say. If you know what you're getting yourself into though, then this is a great addition to your meal rotation. Especially if you're looking for something meat-less. And as far as price goes, this is in one of the more affordable ranges for freeze-dried meals, which is nice as it gives me more options to take out with me. As others have mentioned, there is a noticeable spice to it. If you like spicy food, then it's nice to have that as an option and there were no digesting issues experienced from it. If you are sensitive to spicy foods though, then be warned. Especially if you have a limited supply of water with you.

SPICY. A warning to those with sensitive palates. This is spicy. I love spicy food so it tastes good to me. But I can see how some might not like this. I followed the instructions, but it was still a little underhydrated. So an added a splash of hot water and let it sit. For a really long time because I got busy doing other things. Then the consistency was good. I know not at all “survivalist”, but it tasted really good scooped on flatbread with Greek yogurt, chopped fresh coriander, and a squeeze of fresh lime. The portion is large enough for two. I really enjoyed eating this.

A hut too spicey for me, but that’s just me. Not artificially flavored. Mix it with chicken and you’ve got a delicious meal at home or at camp

Delicious and easy to prepare! Backpacker’s Pantry meals are lightweight, nutritious, and perfect for camping. Great flavor and portion size—keeps you full and satisfied on the trail. Highly recommend!

This stuff is spicy and has a great flavor underneath the spice, unlike more bland backpacking meals. It tastes like real Indian food and is very filling. It will sit in your stomach for the day and give you energy. I will get some more again if it becomes available. It's the best plant based backpacking meal I have found. Highly recommend getting some if you have trouble finding good plant-based meals.

I found this product probably over 5 years ago now at Sportmans Warehouse and it was one of the few vegan options at the time so I gave it a shot. Now I don't go on a camping trip without it. Great flavor and it cooks well. The texture of the chickpeas is perfect when I'm patient enough to wait the instructed amount of time. I usually save a bit to mix with my eggs (or Just Egg) the next morning so I can experience the flavor and the spice all over again.

Preface: I buy alot of freeze dried food from various manufacturers. I typically use them for camping and if they're REALLY good you may catch me eating one at home for lunch or dinner. Product Review: This flavor left alot to he desired. I am a HUGE fan of Indian food and I just felt like the seasoning was "off". It's definitely spicy. As a matter of fact the spice level kinda takes away from the Indian style flavoring. I guess the spices are just unbalanced as authentic Indian food tends to be spicy anyway. You could have blindfolded me and fed me this rice and I would have had many guesses as to the style of cuisine (Mexican, Asian, etc). As someone who orders from authentic restaurants I would say this would be more of an imitation/American approach to an Indian dish. If you like Indian food and want it in a freeze dried form Mountain House's Yellow Curry is hands down one of the best tasting freeze dried meals out there. It's no surprise that it's selling out all over the country. Overall I think Backpacker's Pantry does great on serving size compared to other brands including Mountain House. However, I think they're strategy is to go for these "exotic" dishes versus the typical American recipes to make themselves stand out. In the end they end up winning over alot of Americans whove never tried authentic versions, but for those who grew up in those cultures or who live in an area with diverse ethnic communities their meals tend to miss the mark. This is coming from my experience trying a variety of Backpacker's Pantry meals not just this one. Everyone's taste preferences are different. But in the end Mountain House meals taste more like the better versions of (insert dish) than Backpacker's Pantry hands down. Of the larger producers only Peak Refuel challenges Mountain House in regards to taste.

On a recent backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon, my vegetarian son had limited options for dehydrated meals, so we were hopeful he would like this. It turns out it was his favorite meal of the trip! My wife and I also tried a bite and we loved it, too. My son felt it had a little spice to it; I didn't think it was too bad, but I also didn't eat as much as him. Just something to be aware of if you try to avoid spicy food. In all, we consider this an essential meal for future backpacking trips, or even just car camping.