Hostile Environment Cooking
For many individuals preparing for a hostile environment, food is critical. But, you do not need to pack a lot of rations to survive.
Many bug out bags are heavy because of ration packs and food supplies. Yet, you can survive many days without food, albeit uncomfortably.
However, to carry extra food is not necessary, especially in an urban environment where the local population will continue to have access to food and some supplies.
Rather than carrying specific rations, such as freeze- dried or retort pack meals, consider taking the means of cooking tasty food based on ingredients you will find.
Your bug out bag should contain a selection of items including hot pepper sauce, lemon juice, salt, pepper, stock cubes, sugar, tea, coffee, curry powder and cooking oil. These items will enable you to prepare quick, easy and tasty meals to enhance your morale.
6 Easy Bug Out Bag Meals
- Caramelised donuts
Combine some powdered milkshake to a pancake mix and add water. Form into balls and boil in oil until golden brown. Heat a tablespoon of sugar over a flame and drip over the donut.
- Mixed fruit salad
Open two tons of mixed fruit and drain off the juice for future use. Chop an orange, apple and another fruit to mix with the drained fruit. Squeeze a lemon onto the fruit and mix.
- Fruit crumble
Crush four biscuits in a plastic bag. Add milkshake powder and bind with the crushed pulp of some fresh fruit. Press flat on the base of a metal pot and gently roast over a low flame for 15 minutes. Serve with a brew.
- Fish curry
Clean, scale and cube the fish. Heat oil in a pot and gently fry chopped onions before adding the curry powder and making a paste. Add the fish, small cubes of parboiled potatoes, a tomato, stock cube and a full cup of water. Simmer for 20 minutes, add salt and eat with a spoon.
- Afroturk
Boil 4 litres of oil in a large pot or bucket. Rub a mixture of lemon pepper, Cajun spices and garlic flakes onto a 6 kg turkey. Place turkey in boiling oil and cook for 40 minutes. Remove charred turkey, carve and add salt. The blackened skin insulates the flesh whilst it is cooking and produces a moist and flavoursome meat.
- Pot bread
Add a 330 ml can of beer to a 500 g packet of self- raising flour. Mix together and leave in a container for an hour in a warm place. Knead the dough for five minutes and let it rise again. Take the risen dough and press it down into an oiled pot, put on the lid and place coals on the top and the sides. Bake for 40 minutes.
Learn more about survival cooking and how to make deliciously simple meals in any hostile environment by attending one of our courses.
H.E.A.T. tip: If you want a party, make some raisin beer. Add half a cup of raisins and half a cup of sugar to a 2-litre plastic bottle and fill with water. Close the lid but periodically open it to let any fermenting gases to escape. Leave for 7 days before drinking.
