EMERGENCY MEALS
When exactly, is dinner NOT an emergency?
Tonight my problem was that I just came back into town and spent the entire day playing catch-up on every single thing that didn’t get done during the past week. But with a couple of cans of cooked beef chunks and one can of French onion soup I was able to throw together a meal, STAT.
Even with all the talk of pandemic, tonight’s meal was only a TEST.
In the event of an actual emergency, I might not have the fresh mushrooms, baked potato, sour cream, steamed broccoli, or hearts of Romaine lettuce leaves. Nevertheless, the cans of cooked beef and onion soup could easily be served over rice, pasta, instant potatoes, or even beans and provide a viable meal for any family.
BEEF CHUNK MUSHROOM GRAVY AND POTATOES
Fresh Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
6-8 large mushrooms, washed and thick sliced
Storage Ingredients
2 cups of instant potatoes
2 cans Roast Beef chunks, with liquid (12 oz. each)
1 can French onion soup (10 3/4 oz.)
3 tablespoons flour
Saute mushrooms in butter until partially softened. Sprinkle with flour and continue cooking for another minute. Pour in the French onion soup and beef chunks with liquid. Stir and simmer until the gravy begins to bubble and thicken. Add salt and pepper as desired.
Prepare the instant potatoes per package directions. (Just add water.) Serve hot mashed potatoes topped with beef and mushroom gravy and enjoy!
Tags: beef chunk mushroom gravy and potato recipe, emergency meals on a daily basis
May 1st, 2009 at 9:25 am
Leisa, I do not have time to read a bunch of blogs, but I always read yours. Thank you for all the awesome ideas. I cooked up my first batch of wheat berries a few days ago. For a family of 2 adults and a toddler, that is a lot of wheat! I tossed a couple handfuls with some leftover cubed turkey, grapes, celery, curry and mayo and it was just fantastic. Hubby even likes it, and he’s always shy to try new stuff. Last night, with no prompting, he said, “I bet if you put this in taco meat with the seasoning, no one would even know it’s there.”
You SO rock!
May 1st, 2009 at 9:48 am
Woooohoooo Laura! You’ve discovered the Great White (or red) Wheat Berry!!! I couldn’t be happier for you. (jumping on the sofa!) And you’ve even converted your husband!!!
Thanks for making my day!
May 1st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Where can I find that canned beef?
May 1st, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I bought the canned beef at Costco, about 18 months ago. I’ve also seen canned beef at local grocery stores.
Happy hunting, Jennifer!
May 6th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I LOVE that canned beef, but recently went to buy more and Costco says they don’t carry it anymore. Any other luck out there? Just found you from a friend, so excited!! Your girls are beautiful!
May 6th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Thanks Rachelle! I was worried that Costco might not carry the beef anymore. We all need someone to teach us how to bottle beef chunks at home. I know it can be done. I’ve even heard of an easy method where you don’t have to pre-cook the beef. Just chunks, shoved into a bottle, and maybe pressure canned. Let me know if you have any great suggestion.
May 26th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Dang it. I was hoping to find out where to get more Costco beef chunks. My Costco is out for good.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I’m bummed too, Libby. I used to have a good supply but we’ve used it all up and now I won’t be able to replace it. I’m still going to restock the other ingredients for my beef chunk recipes and then keep an eye out for a good option in the future. Better than nothing…