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Preppers

Prepping protein/meat

20 replies

TwinkleTee · 27/01/2019 12:24

I've been gradually building up a backup store for bad weather/Brexit after stumbling on some prepper posts here, but still quite new to this.
I've got the usual tins of fish and chickpeas etc, but what is helpful to prep in terms of meaty stuff? I wouldn't know what to do with a can of corned beef! Product and recipe ideas welcome

OP posts:
DoodleLab · 27/01/2019 12:48

I got some "look what we found" ready meals a few weeks back when they were a quid in Morrisons. They come in sachets and are shelf stable, they last a few months in the pantry. They come in varieties like chicken in creamy sauce, bolognese, chilli con carne, meatballs. They're quite high quality, no artificial additives, but the sauce to meat ratio is quite high. I've had them before when going camping and they're really nice.

Other options are tinned meat meals... chilli con carne, Irish stew, beef madras, chicken curry etc. Tesco have an offer on Stagg tinned meals at the mo... they're all around the 1.50 mark.

I discovered yesterday that Princes corned beef comes from France, which is ok to me... I don't like buying the South American stuff, because of rainforest clearance for cattle ranching. DH likes corned beef, but I'm not a fan... my protein of choice when SHTF will be tinned mackerel Grin Corned beef hash is the classic dish!

Make sure you stock up the freezer as much as you can, and decant things from the plastic trays into freezer bags to maximise space. See if you can get half a lamb or pig... it does come ready butchered for you. Hopefully any power disruption will be rolling and scheduled. Freezers are fine with power outage from 12 - 24 hours. Our food survived 20hrs last summer.

One of the best sources of protein is eggs, stock up mid march. Better yet, see if you can get your own hens, they'll turn weeds and grubs in the garden into eggs.

Don't forget you can freeze butter and cheese. Also buy a tin of ghee which is shelf stable.

bellinisurge · 27/01/2019 12:53

@TwinkleTee , consider shelf stable veggie and vegan options. Check out some e.g. silken tofu based recipes.

TwinkleTee · 27/01/2019 17:57

thanks @bellinisurge I would be totally happy with tofu, love the stuff, however I don't think the DC would be as happy unfortunately :(

Fab ideas @DoodleLab I'll have a poke round Morrisons tomorrow and a freezer clean out to make space.

OP posts:
BadlyAgedMemes · 27/01/2019 18:12

I don't have a lot in the way of tinned meats, but we do have a few jars of hot dogs. DH is a fan, and I like them well enough mixed with noodles or in a bun, a pasta sauce or a casserole.

My freezer is pretty small, but it now has plenty of ragu in it (I happened to use this recipe www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/rich-ragu ), and also portions of mince, chicken, and lots of fish fillets.

Other than that, I'll be relying on tinned fish and beans, and dried lentils and beans for protein.

KatyMac · 27/01/2019 23:10

protein worries me; I have lots of frozen but if we have to go on to tins?

I'll eat tuna, tinned ham and hotdog sausages (not allowed these normally as they are so processed)

DD&DH eat anything so have some extra tinned fish for them

I am sure my grandparents stored 'bacon' in the garage but I can't remember how!!

ChrisjenAvasarala · 28/01/2019 17:18

I've got mountains of tinned cured chicken breast. It is processed, which I hate, but it can be used in curries or pasta dishes and works just fine for emergencies.

You can also buy "emergency food ration" style sachets and tins with steak pieces, mince and sliced chicken.

TheFlis12345 · 28/01/2019 21:24

I have put a few packets of billtong aside in case of a real protein shortage. We love it and eat it quite often though, so it won't go to waste if there aren't meat shortages.

meddie · 28/01/2019 23:06

Corned beef hash is a simple but filling recipe.

500g potato, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, roughly chopped
340g can corned beef, cut into cubes
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Put the potatoes in a pan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Cook for about 6-7 mins, then drain.

Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and cook the onion for 3-4 mins over a medium heat. Add the potatoes and corned beef, and push down with a spatula to crisp up, cooking for about 5 mins. Turn the mixture over, trying not to beak up the meat and potatoes too much, then add the Worcestershire sauce. Cook for another 5 mins, pushing down to crisp the base again. Season a little, then serve with baked beans

onalongsabbatical · 29/01/2019 11:04

I bought some reduced-salt corned beef to test run it. Chopped up and lightly fried with lots of veg, it was very nice. Certainly worth having some on hand. Had the non-reduced salt version a few years ago and found it very salty - and I like salt - so I'd recommend the low salt one if you can find it.

I'm sure it'd adapt to Bolognese/shepherds pie type recipes.
Also I used half the tin and left the other half in the fridge and forgot about it, and when I came across it week later it was still completely edible! Bonus!

Bumblebee39 · 29/01/2019 11:17

My kids will eat corned beef in slices just as it is (I'm not a big fan)

I rather like tinned beans with sausages and tinned meatballs are passable

Obviously frozen is better

Beef jerky for dried

MotherWol · 29/01/2019 13:57

I know Spam’s a bit of a prepper joke, but it’s actually quite nice! The trick is to fry it so it’s crispy - cut into cubes it’s great in fried rice and stir fries, or with teriyaki sauce.

I’ve also got a big bag of protein powder that we have in smoothies for breakfast. It’s not the same as meat/eggs, but it’s one way to get protein in your diet if there are shortages.

Bumblebee39 · 29/01/2019 15:54

@MotherWol you just made me feel so much better about how unprepared I am because I have a supply of protein bars and shakes that would keep us going for a while

Bumblebee39 · 29/01/2019 15:55

I know you can buy packet scrambled eggs as well. Don't know what they taste like though

Tinned ham/gammon
Tinned pies

TwinkleTee · 29/01/2019 18:24

Thanks @meddie for the recipe, might just buy a can or two of corned beef just in case!

Protein powder is a good idea @MotherWol I'll see what I can find! Anyone know if they are not suitable for children for any reason?

OP posts:
Bumblebee39 · 29/01/2019 19:18

@TwinkleTee

Some have added vitamins that might be toxic to kids in large amounts
Also vitamin A levels can be very high in most of them so not suitable during pregnancy

Knicknackpaddyflak · 29/01/2019 19:23

Look in Morrisons for the big joints they put on special offer, especially around the weekends as these are good value for money. Slow roast them, cook them down in gravy and freeze in batches.

Bumblebee39 · 29/01/2019 19:25

Nuts and seeds are great too

I fear I will be living on peanut butter and hotdogs though

AwdBovril · 29/01/2019 19:39

I've done corned beef hash as a stew, & as a kind of tray bake thing before. Both good. The baked one could be done almost totally with store cupboard ingredients, maybe improved by an onion.

DH & DD both love hot dogs (yuck) so I'm planning that even if bread rolls are not as readily available for a while, they can have them with pasta (a la Sheldon Cooper).

DH likes spam. Pancake mix will do just as well for fritters. I bet it's like tofu in that it's immensely improved by frying it.

DD & I really love sardines. We have lots of sardines - we would ordinarily, to be fair. I might try this recipe out, as we usually just get the plain ones.

I like lentils. I used to make a recipe at university that I got in a veggie students cookbok, it was literally a fried onion, then you add red lentils, rice, & water, then simmer until cooked through. If you have them, then tomato puree, stock, herbs, garlic etc improve it immensely. But it's a good, basic, filling one pot meal.

I'm undecided about buying any dried eggs, I've read they are quite good scrambled or in cake etc. I have, however bought dried milk powder. It's actually great for hot chocolate or cocoa. I genuinely prefer it to milk as it's less rich. Takes a bit more stirring though. I'm going to try making porridge with it next.

MotherWol · 29/01/2019 20:50

Twinkle you can buy them specifically marketed for kids, so I think in small quantities they’re ok. Children on restricted diets or with health problems are sometimes prescribed them (Ensure/Fortisip) - my sister was given them when she was recovering from an eating disorder.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 30/01/2019 10:15

Veggie protein post...

Bean burgers - kidney beans etc and you can add cooked red lentils.

My children aren't big tofu fans but they all eat it marinated - you just dry it, fry it then cook it in brown sugar and soy sauce.

I don't usually use the shelf stable types and when I do use silken tofu I will tend to make tofu scramble.

Seitan is quite easy to make from gluten powder and red lentils. But you would need a working stove to steam then fry it.

If there's full fat milk and lemon juice, paneer is also easy to make.

But the most important thing I think is that nutritionally we don't need anything like as much protein as we think we do. Fruit and veg will be grand making up a big part of our diets for a while.

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