Date: 2009-03-21
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Miles today: 0.0

March 21 --After little research, much experimentation with ingredients and countless times taste testing, which my wife most happily declared ended, my basic menu has been devised and is listed below. I sought the cheapest priced ingredients, shopping at ShopRite, BJ's and on line at www.bulkfoods.com, where a large dehydrated selection can be found. My idea was to enjoy hot meals without cooking, that is, by simply boiling water and adding it to dry ingredients. This was to keep things simple and clean up minimal. I tried to use the thinnest egg noodles, but unfortunately just dumping boiling water on them and allowing them to sit for 5 minutes resulting in partially cooked product resembling soggy lightweight cardboard in texture and taste. I found that by dropping them into the boiling water and cooking them, simmering, for about 1 minute, then dumping water and noodles on the dry ingredients in the food dish worked well. A few noodles invariably stick to the pot, but are easily scraped off or boiled off during the next course.The ingredients for the meals were combined in a Ziplock plastic sandwich bag and marked by number, except for #1 Oatmeal, which, along with the other ingredients were packed in bulk. The TVP is Textured Vegatable Protein, a sort of dehydrated tofu, super light to pack. The Powder Peas and Powdered Lentils I made by placing dried peas and dried lentils, used in making soup, etc, in a blender until powdered. The Essense of Emeril was something that I found in my spice cabinet, but other spice flavorings can be substituted.#1 Oatmeal1C Water 1C Oats1T Br Sugar1 12 t Salt1T CinnamonBoil water, add to rest, let stand 3 minutes.#2 Pea Corn Meal1 12 C Water2t Powdered Peas34 C Corn Meal1t Powdered Milk1 t Onion Flakes1 t Basil1T Egg Powder12 t Garlic Powder12 t Soup Base12 t SaltBoil water and dump on ingredients, let stand 5 minutes.#3 Sweet Corn Meal1C Water12 C Corn Meal1T Powdered Milk1 T Br Sugar1 t Cinnamon1T Egg PowderBoil water and dump on ingredients, let stand 3 minutes.#4 Pea Flavored Noodles1C Water1 12 C Egg Noodles Boil water, add noodles, boil 1 minute, dump on ingredients below.1T Powdered Peas1T Powdered Milk 12 t Essence Emeril1T Corn Starch2t Parm Cheese12 t Oregano12 t Soup BaseLet stand 5 minutes, add ~1/4 C Boiling Water if desired. #5 Cheesy Noodles1 C Water1 12 C Egg NoodlesBoil water, add noodles, boil 1 minute, dump on ingredients below.1T Dried Vegs2t Powdered Milk1T Corn Starch2T Cheese Powder1 t Soup BaseLet stand 10 minutes or more to soften vegs. #6 Lentil Flavored TVP114 C Water12 C TVP2T Powdered Lentils1T Powdered Milk12 t Essence Emeril2t Corn Starch1t Onion Flakes12 t Oregano12 t Soup BaseBoil water and dump on ingredients, let stand 5 minutes.The idea is to rotate dinners #2, #4, #5 and #6 with rotating side dishes of minute rice, instant mashed potatoes and #3, again just adding boiling water. The potatoes I prepared in Ziploc bag as 1 cup of potatoes and 1/3 cup of powdered milk. Adding a pack of beef jerky to the potatoes and rice, before the water, softens the meat and enhances the taste. The #3 is like a sweet, hot pudding.So the daily menu is...Breakfast - Oatmeal and coffeeLunch - All day until dinner, peanut butter, candy bars, granola bars, power bars, trail mix.Dinner - Hot chocolate and dinner.