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FReeper Canteen~Meals Ready To Eat~13 Nov 08
Serving the best Troops, Vets & Military families in the world! | Canteen Crew

Posted on 11/12/2008 6:01:02 PM PST by AZamericonnie

The Freeper Canteen Presents

~Meals Ready To Eat~



The MRE was adopted as the Department of Defense combat ration in 1975. A large-scale production test began in 1978 with delivery in 1981. MRE I (1981) was the first date of pack.

*Recipe*

MRE Recipe
Ingredients:

1 MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat)

Directions:
Open and consume.
Heating optional.
Discard appropriately


During Operation Desert Storm, MREs were eaten by troops for far longer than they were originally intended. Originally intended for 10 days or less, many troops ate them for 60+ days. As a result, three changes were quickly made to supplement the MREs and enhance their acceptability: shelf-stable bread in an MRE pouch was developed, a high-heat-stable chocolate bar was developed that wouldn't melt in the desert heat (this had been attempted before but the bar had a waxy taste and wasn't widely accepted), and flameless ration heaters were developed as a quick and easy method for troops to heat their entrees.

The military makes a few changes to the menus every year so you will find a different menu listing for each year. In general, though, each MRE contains the following:

Entree - the main course, such as Spaghetti or Beef Stew
Side dish - rice, corn, fruit, or mashed potatoes, etc.
Cracker or Bread
Spread - peanut butter, jelly, or cheese spread
Dessert - cookies or pound cakes
Candy - M&Ms, Skittles, or Tootsie Rolls
Beverages - Gatorade-like drink mixes, cocoa, dairy shakes, coffee, tea
Hot sauce or seasoning - in some MREs
Flameless Ration Heater - to heat up the entree
Accessories - spoon, matches, creamer, sugar, salt, chewing gum, toilet paper, etc.
Each MRE provides an average of 1,250 calories (13% protein, 36% fat, and 51% carbohydrates) and 1/3 of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. A full day's worth of meals would consist of three MREs.

*Recipe*

MRE Nachos
Ingredients:

4 – Packages of crackers
3 – Packages of jalapeño or regular cheese
1 – Main meal of chicken or steak
1 – Package of beans

Directions:

1 – Heat beans. Break crackers into dipping-size pieces and spread out on unfolded, main meal box.
2 – Chop chicken or steak main meal into small pieces.
3 – Once beans are hot, spread over crackers.
Repeat steps for cheese packages and chicken or steak main meal. Add seasoning or Tabasco sauce from accessory packet if necessary. Enjoy.

Some of the early MRE main courses were not very palatable, earning them the nicknames "Mr. E" (mystery), "Meals Rejected by Everyone", "Meals, Rarely Edible", "Meals Rejected by the Enemy", "Morsels, Regurgitated, Eviscerated", "Meal, Ready to Excrete", "Materials Resembling Edibles", and even "Meals Rejected by Ethiopians". Some meals got their own nicknames. For example, the frankfurters, which came sealed in pouches of four, were referred to as "the four fingers of death". Although quality has improved over the years, many of the nicknames have stuck. MREs were often called "Three Lies for the Price of One" - it's not a Meal, it's not Ready, and you can't Eat it

*Recipe*

Ranger pudding

When made with less water, Ranger pudding also can be baked into a brownie (but don’t try it with the new MRE stove, because the chemicals in it aren’t healthy. Use an alternate heat source).
MRE Cocoa beverage mix
Coffee creamer
Water

1. Mix all ingredients in cocoa pouch to the consistency of pudding and enjoy.


If you grew up like a lot of Americans, eating casseroles, Hamburger Helper and lots of prepared foods out of a can or a jar, then an MRE is a completely normal, completely acceptable meal for you. If, on the other hand, you are the sort of person who prefers a salad of mixed greens with essence of cranberries effused in a vinaigrette dressing, along with a filet topped with a caramelized red onion glaze, baby carrots and angel hair pasta on the side, finishing with a strawberry sorbet and mixed fresh berries for dessert, then the MRE menu is unlikely to suit you

~U. S. Army Ranger school diet -58 days to a leaner, meaner you~


~From GulfWar1Vet~


I remember the MRE’s when going out to field exercises in Germany. We had a hot meal one day, but for those two weeks, MRE’s were it. Spaghetti is the best one that you can get get. Heat it up in your tin can and what a feast. Get your cheese and crackers, and hot chocolate mix. Yep, what a grand meal! Chicken a la King can be great, but you have to heat it up. Eating it cold, YUCK! Chocolate bars...Mmm..mmm...good. BUT, you better watch out, for it is a great substitute for Exlax. LOL

The MRE’s of today are so much improved than it was 15-20 yrs ago. But it sure beats being hungry!

~From Radix (Alternative uses for MREs or Fun With Tabasco!)~


MREs include a small bottle of tabasco sauce. For whatever reason, Troops often save them up.

Take the tabasco stash and pour a bunch of them into the MRE heater (instead of water) and throw that heater in a humvee when your friends are sleeping in it. When they wake up the steam reaction from the heater makes the air hot like tobasco sauce. They start coughing.. (like a mild cs chamber) and jump out of the vehicle. You start laughing.....

~From Old Sarge~


I first met Mister E. (MRE’s) in 1985, while on maneuvers at Fort Bliss. The packs back then were the first-generation meals: about fourteen or so choices, hot sauce in every one, dark-brown bags that looked like Hefty Bags.

As the Mister E’s became more available, I began keeping a small stock of them for camping, survival, and emergencies. As my family got older and bigger, I managed to keep at least a case or so at home. Over the last two decades, they’re as much a part of life in uniform as the uniform itself.

~From Mylife~




*The C-Ration Cookbook*



*The Marine Dinner Date - MREs For Your Sweetie* (hysterical!)


~From M1911A1 (Laughter & Tissue Alert!:)~


Meals, Ready to Eat. They had so many names-
Meals, Rejected by Ethiopians
Morale Reducing Elements
And my favorite: Mr. E

They are a lot better now (or at least a couple years ago when I last had one) then they were when they first came out.
The infamous Pork Patty, Dehydrated was amazing. Dry, it had the taste and quality of Moleskin bandages that had been worn on blistered feet for a twenty mile hump, and then baked in the sun. If you added water, the result was the same, except the chewy crunch was enhanced with a slimy, retch-inducing exterior.

One of my fondest memories of dining with MR. E was being issued Chicken Ala King one morning when it was about fifteen degrees outside. The meal had been kept sort of warm in a tent, but when the pouch was opened the cold air hit it and produced a curious effect; congealed globules of fat rose to the top, and seemed to cling to the plastic spoon that was trying to maneuver between them. Yum!

I started my career on C-rations and in later days I would wax nostalgic about the fruit cocktail. “Lads, you could drink the juice from the can!” I would declare, as the young Marines munched on crunchy, dehydrated fruit. I would tell them about Gorilla Cookies, Pound Cake, Beans and ....well, this is a family friendly place, so I won’t use the real names.

One thing I do miss about being retired is the coffee. There was this wonderful concoction that could be made by mixing two coffee packets, a hot chocolate packet and several sugars and creams. Who knew that somebody would open Starbucks and make money on that stuff we stirred up in our canteen cups?

Something about getting your morning Joe from a Mr. Coffee in the kitchen just doesn’t compare to having the last firewatch hand you that wonderful brew in the frosty gloom of Zero-Dark Thirty, as he smiles and says “ ‘Morning, Top!” ‘cause he knows that the PFC wise enough to provide the old grouch that first cup is likely to have a choice assignment that day.

Yes, I remember Mr. E, but when I stop to think about eating that doubtful chow, the memories that really come flooding back are the Marines I broke bread (or Crackers, Saltine with Cheese Spread) with. I may eat better food now, or on rare occasions go to some fancy restaurant with fine decor, but I’ll never have better company at a well set table than I had eating MREs sitting on the ground.

To those Marines I knew, I hoist a Lemon Beverage Powder to you. Semper Fi!
MsBehavin & I had fun talking about & planning this thread & it is a joint effort so send your thank to Ms, B~!

Great thanks to GulfWar1Vet, Old Sarge, Mylife, M1911A1, Radix & Sandrat for contributing testimonials for this thread! *Applause*



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; military; mres; troopsupport
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To: beachn4fun
oh
tanniker.............

Sorry, I'm taken.
And I'm not a Marine.
But I am sexy and under 60. Thanks for inquiring.

461 posted on 11/13/2008 10:21:25 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Teachers open the door. It's up to you to enter. Before the late bell. When I close the door.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Thanks Kathy!!

{{HUGS}}


462 posted on 11/13/2008 10:24:37 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: AZamericonnie
Bookmark for later!

Broke into MRE's after Hurricane Ike. Really very good! Added large can of hominy, green chili's, and rice to chili to stretch it for family... and to get "varied" out of what I had on hand. Looking forward to reading over this long thread. Being an AF brat, and married an AF/VN vet... I must say, "sea rations" have come a long way!

463 posted on 11/13/2008 10:25:31 AM PST by exhaustedmomma (Way to go BARNEY!! Barney for White House Press Secretary.)
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To: Tanniker Smith

Funny guy!

I was talking about snagging the 50


464 posted on 11/13/2008 11:17:36 AM PST by beachn4fun (DemocRATS in Congress gone wild!)
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To: BIGLOOK

LOL.....actually I only need help with the Cincinnati chili.

That’s a whole different kinda chili....I buy the Skyline packets online.

I also have to order my pure ancho chili powder online. I can’t find it in the stores!:)


465 posted on 11/13/2008 12:01:20 PM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: DieHard the Hunter

Howdy Die hard & good to see ya!

Glad to read that your finding some relief for your knees.


466 posted on 11/13/2008 12:10:50 PM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: Pusterfuss

Good afternoon, Pusterfuss...((HUGS))...22 and sunny right now. Hope your Thursday is going well.


467 posted on 11/13/2008 12:52:40 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Thanks...


468 posted on 11/13/2008 1:23:02 PM PST by philly-d-kidder (The Phillies Parade was awesome!! Did I tell you Phillies are world champions!)
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To: LUV W; mylife; HiJinx
We are higher than Minnesooooota, for heaven’s sake!

I filled up yesterday and it was $1.8...(something) I filled the Grand Cherokee for $30! : - D

Assault rifle prices are another story you don't want to hear however...

469 posted on 11/13/2008 2:56:19 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: beachn4fun
Funny guy! I was talking about snagging the 50

Oooooh. That's different then. WOO-HOO!
I thought yer were talkin' 'bout snaggin' me

470 posted on 11/13/2008 2:59:43 PM PST by Tanniker Smith (Teachers open the door. It's up to you to enter. Before the late bell. When I close the door.)
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To: HiJinx

along with “Bangers” and eggs for breakfast. lol


471 posted on 11/13/2008 3:10:16 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: beachn4fun

beachy.....#450!!

Thanks, unique, for the woohoo!


472 posted on 11/13/2008 3:11:06 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: AZamericonnie

Hi, AZ! (True patriotism — no one enlists for the food.)


473 posted on 11/13/2008 3:29:28 PM PST by MoochPooch (I'm a compassionate cynic.)
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To: HiJinx

Thanks HiJinx. I like the Canteen, the people who post here and admire your goals. It’s like a FR refuge, we’re all so angry about the election and I get tired of the (justified) anger. I wanted to share my fish story and everyone was so darn nice.

I don’t have time to visit often but you guys rock.

I’m embarassed about my spelling errors yesterday but I will be back when I have time.

Thanks again.


474 posted on 11/13/2008 3:42:16 PM PST by Jean S
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To: SandRat; BIGLOOK
Like Biglook, I was in before the MRE era - C-rations for me - Beans and Bangers rock!! And I used to smoke Chesty Pullers!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
475 posted on 11/13/2008 5:15:42 PM PST by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Peregrine, patron saint of cancer patients, pray for us.)
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To: ConorMacNessa
and scream -— don’t you dare touch the fruit cocktail!!!
476 posted on 11/13/2008 5:17:07 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran
Good afternoon, TxVet...thanks for your service.


477 posted on 11/13/2008 5:19:48 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: EGPWS; mylife
Assault rifle prices are another story you don't want to hear however

I haven't been to our local store yet to see how they're doing...mainly because I don't have the spare cash lying around to spend on another rifle!

478 posted on 11/13/2008 5:21:39 PM PST by HiJinx (~ Support our Troops ~ www.americasupportsyou.mil ~)
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To: Radix; AZamericonnie; All

Hi, Radix:

If you have been lucky enough to find an old, small STEEL P-38, not the newer, larger ALUMINUM type, you should NEVER get rid of it!

I have a few from the old school C-Rat days and still keep one on my keyring and find many, many uses for it. Opening common slotted and Phillips-tyle aircraft cowling Dzus fasteners is very high up on the list, and yes, you can open the heavy gauge Mylar MRE bags with a P-38.

I’ve had several varieties of MREs since their inception and fine the small bottle of Mac Illeney’s Tobasco Sause invaluable in spicing them up.

Jack.


479 posted on 11/13/2008 5:24:10 PM PST by Jack Deth (Knight Errant and Resident FReeper Kitty Poem /Haiku Guy)
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To: beachn4fun
Whadda ya think?

I think you better not let Mr. Beachie see that ad!!


480 posted on 11/13/2008 5:26:41 PM PST by HiJinx (~ Support our Troops ~ www.americasupportsyou.mil ~)
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