Expedition Recipe’s: Oats, Wraps & Couscous
Embarking on a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) expedition is an adventure that requires careful planning, especially when it comes to food. You’ll need meals that are lightweight, nutritious, and easy to prepare with minimal equipment.
Here are three recipes — one for each meal of the day — that are perfect for keeping you energized on your expedition.
Breakfast: Instant Oats with Dried Fruit & Nuts
A warm, hearty breakfast is the best way to start a day of hiking. Instant oats are lightweight, require minimal cooking, and provide sustained energy.
Equipment Needed:
- Small camping stove
- Lightweight pot
- Spoon
- Camping mug/bowl
Ingredients (per person):
- 1 cup instant oats
- 2 tablespoons powdered milk
- 2 tablespoons dried fruit (raisins, apricots, or cranberries)
- 1 tablespoon nuts (almonds, walnuts, or seeds)
- 1 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional)
- 1 cup water
How to Make:
- Boil 1 cup of water on your camping stove.
- In a bowl, mix the oats, powdered milk, dried fruit, and nuts.
- Pour the boiling water over the mixture and stir well.
- Let it sit for a few minutes until the oats absorb the water and soften.
- Add sugar or honey for extra sweetness if desired, then enjoy!
Lunch: Tortilla Wraps with Tuna, Cheese & Spinach
A quick and easy meal that doesn’t require cooking. Tortilla wraps are versatile, durable, and pair well with a variety of fillings. This one is protein-packed to keep you going.
Equipment Needed:
- A small container or resealable bag for the tuna
- Knife (optional)
Ingredients (per person):
- 2 soft tortillas
- 1 small can or pouch of tuna (in water or oil)
- 1-2 slices of cheese (cheddar works well)
- A handful of spinach or other leafy greens
- Optional: mustard, mayo, or other condiments in small packets
How to Make:
- Open the tuna can/pouch and drain if necessary.
- Lay out your tortilla and spread tuna evenly on top.
- Add cheese slices and spinach.
- Drizzle with mustard or mayo if you have packets.
- Roll up the tortilla and enjoy! You can make a second one if you’re still hungry or save it for later.
Dinner: One – Pot Couscous with Vegetables & Sausage
After a long day of hiking, you’ll want a hot, filling dinner that’s easy to make with minimal cleanup. Couscous is a fantastic choice because it cooks quickly and is a great base for any meal.
Equipment Needed:
- Small camping stove
- Lightweight pot
- Fork/spoon
Ingredients (per person):
- ½ cup couscous
- 1 small pre-cooked sausage (chorizo or pepperoni is great for flavor)
- ½ cup dehydrated mixed vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup water
- Salt, pepper, or seasoning packet (optional)
How to Make:
- Boil 1 cup of water in your pot.
- Add the dehydrated vegetables and let them simmer for 5 minutes to rehydrate.
- Slice the sausage and add it to the pot, stirring to combine.
- Remove from heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the pot and let it sit for 5 minutes while the couscous absorbs the water.
- Drizzle with olive oil and add seasoning to taste.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork and enjoy a warm, satisfying meal.
Essential Checklist for Cooking on a DofE Expedition:
- Small camping stove – A lightweight, compact stove is essential for cooking meals – remember, you have to carry all of your equipment on expedition, so share a stove with a partner to split the weight!
- Lightweight pot – A multi-use pot for boiling water and cooking meals.
- Spork or spoon and fork combo – Keep your utensils minimal but practical.
- Camping mug and bowl – Collapsible versions save space.
- Lighter or waterproof matches – For lighting the stove.
- Multi-tool or small knife – Handy for meal prep and other tasks.
- Cleaning cloth or small sponge – For washing up after meals. I recommend putting a small amount of washing up liquid in a small tub or travel shampoo bottle.
At My Adventure, we are a provider that delivers the expedition phase of the Duke of Edinburgh Award for schools and private groups across Scotland. Our qualified and experienced guides work alongside the school/ group to help each member achieve goals and develop skills that are valuable for life, at the same time as enjoying the Duke of Edinburgh Award journey.
If you enjoyed this blog article and are looking for additional information about adventures from Edinburgh, we have published a number of other blogs:
- Top Ten tips for your Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition here
- A guide to the Duke of Edinburgh Award: here
- A guide to the Duke of Edinburgh Award: Silver here
- A guide to the Duke of Edinburgh Award: Gold here
- Duke of Edinburgh award: Essential equipment: here
- Top Tips for Backpacking in Scotland: here
- The best head torches for adventures in the outdoors: here
- Stag Party Adventures Edinburgh: here
- Planning a Hen Party to Edinburgh: here
- Hen Party Adventures Edinburgh: here
If you haven’t already seen it, check out the Intrepidus Outdoors Trip Advisor, Youtube channel, Visit Scotland page and blog to hear about how others found their outdoor adventures with us!
