G-WeBconnect

The Lightest Measuring Cup on the Planet

     Packing the right ingredients for a zesty meal is critical for backcountry gourmet cooking. Having the correct amount of those ingredients is paramount.

     At home, one can measure solid ingredients and store them in labeled Zip-lock bags. Small amounts of oils or other liquid ingredients can be pre-measured and stored in tiny, plastic leak-proof bottles. But what about measuring water? Most recipes require water to hydrate food and to cook with.

     The simple answer: Bring a plastic measuring cup.

     The correct answer: Use your spare Platypus (hydration system) bladder.

     Yup. A spare plastic bladder is almost weightless. It folds flat and has no mass to speak of. At camp, it becomes an extra water storage container for cooking. When its time to cook, it's now your measuring cup. So here's what you do.

     At home, blow into the Platypus bladder to inflate it. In half-cup increments, pour water into the bladder. With a permanent marker, mark the

water-lines. Label the water-lines at half and full cup intervals. Now, you have The Lightest Measuring Cup on the Planet!

Back to Chef DeBoot Blister's Gourmet Corner of the Woods

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Above: "g's" assistant, "a,"

demonstrates Step One of making the lightest measuring cup on the planet.

Left: "a" takes tremendous delight in marking the Platypus bladder in cup and half-cup increments. She knows her dad will be depending on these precise measurements for making Beef Wellington in the backcountry.

Chef DeBoot

Blister's Gourmet Corner of the Woods