ONE POT DINNERS

The idea is to create a stew or casserole in one pot. A mixture of starches, proteins, vegetables, and spices or a delectable sauce can become a grommet feast. The following recipes are examples. Use the Chart to help create your own specialties. One pot dinners can be easy to prepare with a little thought before hand. Which foods need to cook longer? - Start them first. How much water is needed? - Is the pot big enough?

Try to maintain texture in the food. Mush is mush and no amount of spices will dress it up.
Plastic freezer bags can serve for carrying and mixing items such as instant potatoes. Reduce the cleanup, add the boiling water to the bag and mix. This works with quick rice as well.

Directions:

1. Select and assemble your ingredients from the grocery store, camping outlet or food co-op. Amounts of each ingredient can be adjusted to suit individual preferences and appetites.

2. Determine the order of preparation based on the cooking times of each ingredient. Items with similar cooking times and methods may be dumped together in a plastic bag. Put the bulkiest or main items in a large bag, and put the other items in smaller bags and seal them. Place these smaller bags inside the large bag and seal it.

3. Check the instructions for each component to be sure you include any extra items such as butter, dry milk, etc. that are needed.

4. Decide how much water you need to start with based on what is needed for each ingredient.

5. Write instructions for each package in the meal down, based on the items determined above. Include order of preparation, cooking times, ingredients not included in the bags, etc.

6. Include the instructions for each package with the package. Include the instructions for the whole meal with the large bag, in addition to the instructions for that bag.

7. Label each bag i.e. Large bag can be labeled “dinner Day 3” with list of contents Orange drink, chicken soup, Mac & cheese, chocolate pudding Inside might include separate bags for drink, soup, and pudding. Instructions can be written on bags with a marker that will NOT WASH off or cut from boxes and placed in bag.