Best Cooking Gear for Anglers
in Alaska in 2016
Spyderco Santoku Knife
www.spyderco.com
This unique Japanese kitchen knife is a fusion of East and West and incorporates qualities of a clever and chef’s knife. This razor-sharp knife is now the first one we look for in the kitchen for most tasks. Its 6.81-inch blade is made from MBS-26 stainless steel and is exceptionally thin and strong.
Buck Chef Knife
www.buckknives.com
This knife is made with a PaperStone handle, which is made from recycled paper and petroleum-free resin. It is strong and able to handle extreme temperatures which makes it dishwasher safe. The 8-inch blade features a riveted full tang and is made with 420HC stainless steel, which provides both wear- and corrosion-resistance and is easy to resharpen.
Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro10-inch Chef’s Knife
www.swissarmy.com
Our tester has been a fan of this brand of knives for filleting salmon, so he was eager to try one of their chef’s knives. He reports that his wife tried this one and loves it. She works as a cook and wants one for her job, too.
Packit Gourmet Kickin’ Chicken Hot Wings Wrap
www.packitgourmet.com
Packit Gourmet offers a wide range of trail meals with lots of interesting options. We like many of their selections. This year we tried out the Kickin’ Chicken Hot Wings Wrap and thought it was delicious. We like the combination of chicken and vegetables and it made for a tasty, quick-to-prepare wrap. You add 5 ounces of cold water to the package, so no need for boiling water with this meal. Packit Gourmet offers over 100 grocery items that are either freeze-dried or dehydrated, making it possible to put together your own recipes while out in the field. Also check out their range of gear and supplies designed for adventurers.
Packit Gourmet Cheddar Jalapeno Biscuits with Pepper Cream Gravy
www.packitgourmet.com
If you’re ready for something a whole lot tastier on your next field outing, look no further than these delightful biscuits from Packit Gourmet. Just add water to the bag and mix, then “bake” in a skillet pan and you’ll have light and fluffy cheddar jalapeño biscuits, which are topped with rich Pepper Cream Gravy and pork sausage crumbles.
Spiceologist Chile Margarita Spice Rub
www.spiceologist.com
The rubs created by foodies Chef Pete Taylor and Food Blogger Heather Scholten are out-of-this-world appealing. The Chile Margarita was our tester’s favorite being extremely versatile on shrimp, scallops and halibut for a super fast and easy, healthy meal for a family. The rub gets its flavor from ancho peppers, aleppo chile, orange peel and lime peel for a zesty treat. Check out the recipe on page 118 provided by Heather.
A-MAZE-N Tube Smoker (AMNTS)
www.amazenproducts.com
The AMNTS was designed to burn pellets and supplement smoke at higher temperatures, in pellet grills/smokers. This is where most pellet grills/smokers do not produce much smoke. However, it can also be used in many other types of smokers or grills, where grate space is limited. The 12-inch version will burn up to four hours, depending on the smoker temps, type of pellets and draft inside your smoker. The 6-inch version is advertised to burn for two hours; however, our experience gave us closer to three hours of thin, blue smoke in just the right volume. This ingenious device makes cold-smoking fish and cheese as simple as it gets, while also being versatile enough to hot smoke in either a grill or a smoker. For longer smoking times, A-MAZE-N Products also makes the A-MAZE-N Smoker and A-MAZE-N Pellet Smoker, with burn times of eight- and 11 hours, respectively. All of these products are remarkable in their simplicity and functionality.
Oil & Vinegar Store Rub Louisiana and Date Crema Vinegar
www.oilvinegar.com
Everyone can enjoy the finest in Alaskan seafood without being a creative chef. Simply sprinkle Rub Louisiana on salmon, shrimp, moose and more and you will love this slightly spicy flavor fest. Another item we can’t live without from the Oil and Vinegar store is Date Crema Vinegar. Pour it over caprese salad or a fresh game roast to taste this thick, rich vinegar.
Heather’s Choice Smoked Salmon Chowder
www.heatherschoice.com
Alaskan Heather Kelly is a nutritionist, expert rafter and outdoor adventure-lover with lots of experience in the backcountry. And it’s this combination that inspired her to develop Heather’s Choice—a line of dehydrated meals with high-quality ingredients that are nutritionally balanced. We sampled the Packaroons and Smoked Sockeye Salmon Chowder and thought both were delicious.