Chunky Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Roasted Red Pepper Dip

I’ve been camping my whole life, but backpacking is somewhat new to me. A couple of years ago, for my birthday, a group of us planned a three day backpacking trip in the Silver Peak Wilderness near Big Sur, CA. I was, of course, excited about planning what to eat. I wanted to eat real food, but at the same time, I was worried about weight. I knew it would be a tough hike and I didn’t want to load my pack full of heavy ingredients. So, I played it safe and went for the typical backpacking fare without resorting to dehydrated backpacking meals. I ate oatmeal for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch, and boxed mac & cheese and ramen for dinner.

Pacific Coast Highway from Above
Our view of Pacific Coast Highway from above

On day 2, I was pretty happy with my pb&j until I looked over to see Mai-yan and her fiance with a jar of roasted red pepper dip and bagels. Lucky for me, they were nice enough to share. That roasted red pepper dip tasted so great. It was savory, unlike all the foods I had brought along for snacks and lunch, such as trail mix with dried fruit, candy, and the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I’ve since tried the same brand of jarred roasted red pepper dip at home and it’s not bad, but it’s not as great as I remembered it either. Everything tastes better when you’re out on the trails.

Here’s an easy camping recipe that’s inspired by the dip Mai-yan brought on that backpacking trip. You can make it at home or out in the backcountry since you don’t need a food processor—the ingredients are all chopped by hand. It’s packed with walnuts, so it’s high in protein and will give you enough fuel to keep going for a while. Eat it with crackers, or spread on a bagel or tortilla.

Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Chunky Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Yield

about 2 1/2 cups

Prep Time / Cook Time

/

Activity Guide

Backpacking, Bike Touring, Car Camping, Day Trip, Picnic

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers in water, chopped OR 2 red bell peppers, roasted and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Tools

  • Knife
  • Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Stove with simmer control

Method

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add minced shallot and saute until it begins to brown. Add chopped walnuts and saute until they just begin to brown and smell toasty. Add garlic, cumin and paprika and saute another minute or two, or until the spices are fragrant.
  2. Remove from heat and add balsamic vinegar and roasted red peppers to the skillet. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

6 thoughts on “Chunky Roasted Red Pepper Dip

  1. This was nice, you were able to form something out what you have in hand. I checked the ingredients of this recipe and yes, you are correct, this is full of proteins so it can definitely give you an energy boost for the day. I want to try this even if I will not go on a strenuous activity, I just think this would be nice on bagels.

    1. You’re right. It is very nice on bagels. We had it on sesame bagels on our last snow camping trip up Mt. Abel.

  2. Hi nice small post below, was just wondering if i could quote some of it in the post im accomplishing (I will credit and hyperlink back again the following!). Drop me a message if thats not ok. you are able to quote any of my stuff as lengthy as you hyperlink back again to it 🙂 Also perfect template you use below would you thoughts telling me where by by you got it :D. Sorry for my english 🙂

  3. I have used this recipe on two of my recent backpacking trips. Made the dip up the day before and kept it with my frozen stuff; lasts a couple days. I LOVE it and now it is on my permanent backpacking food list as a lunch item.

    1. @Angela, we’re glad to see that this dip is easily freezable. It is really delicious, and the perfect balance of hearty and fresh. Thanks for sharing, and glad you enjoyed it!

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