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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: SandRat

You & GulfWar1Vet, Old Sarge, mylife, M1911A1 & Radix did!

We all love your story’s & recipes....thank Sandy! *Hugs*

I thought the onion oven thing cool & am gonna try it!


61 posted on 11/12/2008 6:48:26 PM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: AZamericonnie

Nope.. Secretary of Health Joeseph Caliphano banned them for the C-Ration boxes and they haven’t been available ever since. That was during Jimm-EEEEEEE Car-DUHs administration.


62 posted on 11/12/2008 6:48:26 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: All

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

BLESS THIS HOUSE
 Bless this house O Lord we pray; Make it safe by night and day; 
Bless these walls so firm and stout, Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall, Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we May dwell O Lord with thee. 
(Click on graphics for music)



63 posted on 11/12/2008 6:49:43 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: AZamericonnie; MS.BEHAVIN

Connie, I am trying to find the old thread where I shared my Ramadi-style Beans, but I can’t pull it together!


64 posted on 11/12/2008 6:49:53 PM PST by Old Sarge (For the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be an American)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

My daughter’s menagerie is fine but she sent me this little Canteen bit.

Parrot saves toddler...:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=10625886


65 posted on 11/12/2008 6:50:04 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: LiberConservative

Really? I can see where they would come in very handy while camping, biking & hiking.

I may just have to try one for fun!

Do you have a fav?


66 posted on 11/12/2008 6:50:10 PM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

(((HUGS)))Ready for the “day” They’ve turned my days and nights around..Not to difficult with this night owl
;o)


67 posted on 11/12/2008 6:50:29 PM PST by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: AZamericonnie

Nope - you buy and pack what you can.

Now me, for instance, my bag of pipe tobacco suits me just dandy!


68 posted on 11/12/2008 6:51:03 PM PST by Old Sarge (For the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be an American)
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To: hoagy62

Thank you for your service hoagy62!


69 posted on 11/12/2008 6:51:19 PM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: AZamericonnie
"That makes me wonder.....does the military supply cigarettes these days?"

I have personally never smoked, but when I was stationed in Germany, I was given ration coupons which allowed me to purchase 4 cartons a month for $2.10 each. That is I think ten (or was it 20?) packs of cigarettes for 21 (?) cents per pack. I do not actually know how many packs are in a carton.

Back in 1980 the Germans were paying something like 10 times that much. Black marketing cigarettes was very lucrative for some of my comrades in arms. I was always being asked to share my ration coupons.

I never saw cigarettes included in meal kits.

70 posted on 11/12/2008 6:51:27 PM PST by Radix (Senator Robert Byrd considers retirement: " Someone has got to iron those sheets.")
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To: Old Sarge

I wonder if any of the old threads were lost in the numerous FR server crashes this past year?


71 posted on 11/12/2008 6:52:43 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: SandRat

Good evening Sandy!
Thanks for your help with the thread, and thank you for your service!


72 posted on 11/12/2008 6:53:28 PM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: AZamericonnie
You caught 5 walleye in one day

That's another fun story, we we fishing at a giant culvert the flowed into the Wisconsin River. Everyone was using minnows so we bought minnows. I murdered mine, I had no clue how to put them on a hook so I impaled them in the head. After an hour of fishing, my reel broke so I got in our Scout, drove into town an bought a new reel.

There were at least 20 people fishing the spot that day and even after my break, I caught 5 of the 9 walleye caught at that spot that day.

Beginner's luck? I don't think so. The pros didn't know that you had to murder the minnows before they can become effective bait. Thanks for listening guys, it's one of those memories that stand out in your life forever and is fun to share. I will thank my brother-in-law for his service on your behalf. He loves this country.

73 posted on 11/12/2008 6:53:38 PM PST by Jean S
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To: BIGLOOK

Aloha dear Bigs....do you still like beanies Weenies?:)

Had they no Spam? *Hugs*


74 posted on 11/12/2008 6:53:38 PM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
Aloha Little Devil; Steely eyed Downeaster, Guardian of the Palatable!

Never trust anything as edible if it has a serial number.
75 posted on 11/12/2008 6:54:16 PM PST by BIGLOOK (Keelhaul Congress! It's the sensible solution to restore Command to the People.)
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To: Randy Larsen

Violet went too? I knew I liked that gal!!:)

The fun is in the doing....the baggin is just a big bonus right? LOL

When you bag one I want some deer jerky ok? It’s my fav.

Hi Violet! *Hugs*


76 posted on 11/12/2008 6:56:06 PM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: Jean S

Walleye is mega yummy!


77 posted on 11/12/2008 6:56:48 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: AZamericonnie

Very busy day, but it went mostly quite smooth. Did you have a nice commute? I’m about ready to bail, with a stop at Wally World on the way home.


78 posted on 11/12/2008 6:57:34 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: BIGLOOK

LOL!
I’ll keep that in mind!
BRR!
Pretty cold up here tonite!
It’s about 30 here right now.


79 posted on 11/12/2008 6:58:32 PM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: MEG33

You just find the best pics Megs....that’s heartland of America right there!

Your Grandson doing well? *Hugs*


80 posted on 11/12/2008 6:58:38 PM PST by AZamericonnie
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