Recipes, A Survivalist's Cookbook

In order to be self sufficient you will need to know how to cook. In my time I have met quite a few men and women that have literally no clue how to cook. So what happens when all you have are the ingredients and none of the know-how on how to put them together to make a meal?

I grew up in a family that made nearly everything from scratch as both my parents were chefs - so I was always around food being made and prepped. Not only is it a requirement to live on your own in a situation where prepared foods are rare or non-existent, but it can be fun too.

--------------------------------------------- 

Noodles with Minced Clams

Time to Prepare: 2-5 minutes

Time to cook: 10 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

1 Package Noodles (Ramen, Udon or similar styles)

*¼ White Onion (optional)

1 6.5oz Can of Minced Clams (Snow's by Bumble Bee is a trustworthy company)

1 tsp. Soy Sauce

• Open can of minced clams and drain water
• *If you choose to use or have an onion handy chop ¼ of the onion into small bits and put aside
• Start boiling 1 1/2 cups water in a small pot
• While water is heating place minced clams and *onion (if you choose) in a pan on low-medium heat
• When water comes to a boil empty 1 package of noodles into pot
• Stir contents of pan every minute or so and season to taste with pepper and/or salt
• Also place in 1 tsp. of Soy Sauce and stir again
• Once noodles are soft enough, drain 90-95% of the water (and add the noodle's flavor packet if you like or if it has one)
• Combine noodles with contents of pan and eat!

--------------------------------------------- 

Spanish Rice & Sardines

Time to Prepare: 5 minutes

Time to cook: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1 Package of Spanish Rice (Uncle Ben's Ready Spanish Rice is the quickest)

1 5.5oz Can of Sardines (Goya's can isn't bad and I managed to get one for 59 cents)

• Spray a frying pan with PAM or an equivalent and set heat to medium
• Drop in sardines and let them simmer for at least 2 minutes
• Microwave the Rice per package's instructions and once done add rice to sardines in frying pan and mix
• If you don't have access to a microwave you can just add the microwavable rice into the pan with the sardines
• Set heat to low and cook for another 5-6 minutes while stirring mix every minute

--------------------------------------------- 

Vegetable & Fruit-filled Corn Tortillas
Time to Prepare: 5-7 minutes
Time to Cook: 10 minutes
Serves: 1

Ingredients:
2 small corn tortillas
1 plantain
¼ red (or white) onion diced
⅛ Poblano pepper sliced (or Jalapeño depending on what heat level you want)
2 tablespoons guacamole
1 tsp. dried cilantro
2 tbsp. shredded cheddar (or Monterey Jack) cheese
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
*(optional) 1 large white mushroom sliced and quartered

• Start by preparing all the vegetables. Slice an entire plantain like  you would a banana. Dice a quarter onion. De-seed and and thinly slice your hot pepper of choice
• With a 12" skillet use medium to medium-high heat with 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil
• Add the slice plantain, onion, pepper to the pan and cook for at least 2-5 minutes stirring and mixing occasionally
• As the plantains starting turning a dark golden color turn to low heat and sprinkle the dried cilantro over ingredients
• Place two corn tortillas on opposite ends of the pan on top of your ingredients and cover pan for 2 minutes to allow tortillas to heat up and soften
• Remove corn tortillas and spoon guacamole on them
• Add the ingredients of the pan over the guacamole on both tortillas and then sprinkle shredded cheese over the hot vegetables
• Fold tortillas gently over in half and let sit for 30 seconds to allow cheese to melt