Attention Dehydrators - Carepackage Advice

[ml2620]

While I lurk on the dehydrating threads, I don't dehydrate, I don't have the equipment and truth be told, the nature of my work schedule vs. my DH's work schedule means he does most of the shopping and cooking (and he's a far better cook!).

A dear friend is stationed in Afghanistan this year and has asked me to send him any food that can be eaten by just adding hot water. Beyond Oodles of Noodles, I'm completely stumped.

Can anyone recommend some foods I could send that could be "cooked" by adding hot water? The more nutrious, the better.

[old_lady_in_the_shoe]

Most health food stores or emergency supply stores carry almost all foods in dehydrated form...from broccili, tomatoes, potatoes, to any fruit you could imagine...they are usually easy to get. YOu can also get dry eggs, milk, butter, sour cream and more the same way. I would check out someplace like emergency essentials to give you a good idea of what is out there. The actual link is :
www.beprepared.com

I can get most of the same items at my local health food store in smaller amounts, but emergency essentials is a great place to order from if you have no other source. YOu can get everything from beef stew to breakfast foods that you can just add water to, check it out!

[rasilla]

I've given these as get-well soon gifts, maybe they would work for you:

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgi.../giftsoup.html

[Contrary Housewife]

You can get all kinds of dried soup and chili mixes in the grocery store these days. One of the ones near me has huge display of these kits. Some of them are just spices, but some have all the dried vegetables and you just add water and cook. It's not necessarily on-the-go stuff, but if they are camped they can make a big pot of something.

Also, there are a lot of cereal packets, instant oats and that sort of thing.

You might try an asian import store for miso soup packets, and a wider variety of instant noodle dishes.

Dried fruit and nuts are always a hit. Not cheap. Dried vegetables might help liven up some of the plain instant noodle cups.

[sunshine]

Potato Soup Mix


1-3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes
1-1/2 cups dry milk
2 Tb. instant chicken bullion
2 tsp. dried minced onion
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. ground white pepper
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. turmeric
1-1/2 tsp. seasoning salt

Combine all ingredients. in a bowl and mix. Makes 6 servings.
Place in 1 quart canning jars to store.

Instructions to attach to jar: To serve: place 1/2 cup mix in soup
bowl and add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until smooth.

[sunshine]

Instant Chai Tea mix

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
* 1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
* 1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
* 2 1/2 cups white sugar
* 1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
* 2 teaspoons ground ginger
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1 teaspoon ground cardamom



DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.
2. To serve: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons Chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water.

FOOTNOTE

*
You may choose to omit the French vanilla creamer, and use 2 teaspoons vanilla extract instead. To do so, mix the vanilla into the sugar, let it dry, then break the sugar into small lumps. Follow the same procedure as above.

[sunshine]

Pasta Alfredo Mix in a Mug


1/3 cup angel hair pasta (broken into pieces)
2 T. + 1 tsp Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce Mix
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp Garlic & Herb Seasoning
Shake of pepper
Measure into small Ziploc baggie, seal & shake to combine.
Place in a Mug lined with Tissue paper & attach tag & small wire whisk with ribbon.

Attach Tag:

Empty Mix into mug, add 1 tsp margarine & 1 cup of boiling water, cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir well

[sunshine]

Cheesy Soup Mix

6 T. dried onion flakes
2 T. grated parmesan cheese
2 T. corn starch
1 tablespoon soybean flour
2 - 3 T. vegetable protein
2 T. instant mashed potato

Combine all ingredients and seal in ziploc or vacuum seal bag (or jar).

To Use
2 T. mix to 1 mug boiling water - or to taste. Stir well.