MRE RECIPE: Instant Pancakes

Easy to mix in a mug!

I love pancakes! Such a comfort food, not just for me, but also a lot of other people. My son prefers them with chocolate chips. You might like powdered bananas in them. Experiment!

Ingredients:
4 cups all-purple flour
1 cup instant powdered milk (goat, cow, rice...your choice)
3/4 cup malted milk powder
1/2 cup powdered buttermilk
1/2 cup butter powder
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 3 Tbls whole egg powder
2 Tbls baking powder
1-2 tsp salt (to taste)
1 tsp baking soda
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg

Directions::
Measure and sift the ingredients. Combine well. Store in an airtight/moisture-proof jar or baggie until needed. When ready to use, measure out 1 cup of dry mixture and add a little over 1/3 cup of water. Combine. Remember, it's ok to have lumps! Cook on a hot and sprayed griddle or frying pan as you would any other pancake, flipping when the first side bubbles and the edges become a little dry, about 2 minutes on each side. I like to top mine with instant or homemade jam.

MRE RECIPE: Cajun Gumbo

Many years ago, I had the pleasure of driving through Louisiana. I made a point to stop in the French Quarter, and tasted my first gumbo. So very yummy.

This recipe is so delicious and super-easy to make. Add freeze-dried cooked shrimp if you'd like. Spice it up or tone it down. Your choice.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup instant rice (brown or white)
2 Tbs dried diced sausage
2 Tbs dried diced chicken
1 Tbs diced onion
1 Tbs diced bell pepper
1 Tbs diced celery
1 tsp powdered chicken broth (or 1 chicken bouillon cube)
1 tsp Creole seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Combine all and store in water-proof air-tight container/bag. When ready to eat, add 1-2 cups of boiling or very hot water. (Amount will depend if you want it soupy or quite thick.) Stir. Cover. Let sit approx 20 minutes, or until all ingredients have reconstituted.  Stir and enjoy!

Note:
If you can't find a freeze-dried or dehydrated version of your favorite sausage, do it yourself! Just thinly slice, cook, then drain/pat away every bit of fat, and dehydrate at a high temp. Check regularly to see if any more fat is accumulating, and if it is, pat it off.  When the sausage is super crispy and dry (not greasy), it should be ready.

Another Note:
Lots of people put okra in their gumbo. Finding dehydrated okra is impossible (if you know a source, please please tell us in the comments below!). So, here's a tip about dehydrating okra: freeze it. That way, it won't get all oooey goooey. So... freeze till almost solid, slice thinly, place on dehydrator sheets, and dehydrate at around 115 degrees F till crispy.  Frozen to dehydrated, with a brief stop in between.

Notes:

• Dairy-Free: naturally
• Gluten-Free: naturally
• Low-Carb: If you eliminate the rice, this is low-carb.
• Low-Sugar: naturally
• Nightshade-Free: If you eliminate the bell peppers, this is nightshade-free. Did I miss any other nightshade ingredient?

Chia Seeds

Hoping to start using chia seeds more in recipes because look how super-nutritious they are!

I wonder if I can grow them?

I wonder if I need to dehydrate them?

Hmmm... things to think about!

MRE RECIPE: Apple Pie Oatmeal

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Ingredients:
1/2 cup quick oats
3 tsp apple dices
pinch ground cinnamon
pinch ground nutmeg
1 tsp raw sugar (our preference ... use what you want)

(If desired, add 1 tsp cheddar cheese powder)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and seal in a small air-tight/watertight bag (I use jars or seal-a-meal or mylar).  When ready to make, rehydrate with 1 cup of very hot water, stir, let sit covered 10 minutes, stir and enjoy.

Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats for this!

I make this and other quick oatmeal breakfasts in large batches!  Very yummy.  For a burst of protein, add your favorite nuts, flax seeds or chia seeds. 

MRE RECIPE: Indian Pork with Apples and Eggplant

This dish is really made by the combination of cumin and cinnamon. Adjust hot chili pepper flakes to taste!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup cubed pork loin or ham
1/2 cup apple dices
1/2 cup eggplant dices
1 tbsp hot chili pepper flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp vinegar powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cumin

Directions:
Combine and seal. When ready to eat, rehydrate all with 1 1/2 to 2 cups of boiling water. Should be a thick stew. Adjust seasonings as necessary.

Notes:

• Dairy-Free: naturally
• Gluten-Free: naturally
• Low-Sugar: naturally
• You will probably have to dehydrate the eggplant dices yourself. Slice eggplant into long slices and grill until done. Cut into dices and dehydrate until crispy.

MRE RECIPE: Indian Chicken Curry - Murghkari

Woo doggy! This is yummy!

Ingredients:
1 cup chicken dices
1/2 cup onion dices
1/4 cup tomato dices
2 tbsp tomato powder
2 tbsp milk powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp curry powder
s & p to taste

Directions:
Combine and seal. When ready to prepare, add enough boiling water to make a thick creamy dish (approx 1 1/2 to 2 cups).  Serve with flatbread (naan) or rice. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

Notes:

• Dairy-Free: use rice or coconut milk powder instead of cow or goat milk powder.
• Gluten-Free: naturally. Serve with rice instead of flatbread.
• Low-Carb: naturally, if not served with bread or rice.
• Low-Sugar: naturally.

Writing Recipes

Thought I would take a picture of my dining room table!

Here are my supplies (well, some of them!) and my notebook for writing ideas for recipes, then actually creating them for testing.