Veggie Cottage Pie

Back Country Cuisine has this to say about their processes:

"In the freeze drying process, crystals of frozen ice in the food are sublimed (evaporated) to water vapour in a vacuum chamber. The result is a completely dry product that does not shrink during the drying process. When prepared for eating, the water quickly gets into the pores left by the ice crystals to give a juicy, tender food product.

"After packing, the food is heat-sealed in foil pouches from which all the air has been removed and replaced with nitrogen gas, keeping the food safe and flavoursome for at least three years.

"Back Country Cuisine meals are formulated to meet the high energy needs of outdoor activity and our products have a careful mix of the essential components needed for a healthy diet. This includes balanced carbohydrates and sugars for instant energy, protein to replenish exhausted muscles and oils and fats to keep you feeling full."

Benefits of freeze dried food:

• Freeze drying removes the moisture from food making it much lighter and easier to carry
• Freeze drying retains the natural vitamins in the food because of the low temperatures used in processing
• Along with naturally occurring minerals and the addition of salt, the freeze-dried meals provide vitamins and minerals necessary to meet the high energy needs of outdoor activity
• Flushed with nitrogen gas when packed, freeze dried products have a long shelf life, meaning you can have meals on hand at any time
• Food does not shrink during the freeze drying process, or inside the pouch
• You can make up the meals with cold water as well as hot water - the meal will take at least three times longer to rehydrate but you will get the same nutrition as when using boiling water.