Army Chow Anyone?

THE PILGRIM

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The pictures didn't paste in, but you already know what little cans and plastic packages look like.
​ I will have to admit, I have never given a lot of thought to the Estonian Army.
Here's the site if you want to see the pictures:
http://www.foodbeast.com/2014/02/19/this-is-what-army-food-rations-look-like-around-the-world/

Italy

The Italian ration pack contains a breakfast shot of 40% alcohol cordiale, a powdered cappuccino, lots of biscotti, and a disposable camping stove for heating parts of the meal, including a pasta and bean soup, canned turkey and a rice salad. Dessert is a power sport bar, canned fruit salad or a muesli chocolate bar.

United Kingdom

The British pack is dotted with familiar brands from Kenco coffee and Typhoo tea to a mini bottle of Tabasco. The main courses include the British favourite, chicken tikka masala, and a vegetarian pasta. There’s also pork and beans for breakfast, and lots of sweets and snacks from trail mix to an apple “fruit pocket” that looks like it might not be out of place in a school lunchbox. Plus packets of Polos and, of course, plenty of teabags.

United States

Almond poppy seed pound cake, cranberries, spiced apple cider (the hot US non-alcoholic drink) and peanut butter and crackers make up this very American meal package. The main – pasta with vegetable “crumbles” in spicy tomato sauce – is less traditional, but the “flameless heater” shows off American tech skills – just add water to the powder in a plastic bag and it heats up enough to warm the plastic meal pouch.

France


A streamlined but sophisticated French ration pack offers soldiers deer pâté, cassoulet with duck confit, creole-style pork and a crème chocolate pudding. There is also a disposable heater, some coffee and flavoured drink powder, muesli for breakfast and a little Dupont d’Isigny caramel.

Australia


The Australian ration pack has more small treats than any of the others. Most of it is packaged by the military, from a serving of love-it-or-hate-it Vegemite to jam sandwich biscuits and a tube of sweetened condensed milk. The bag includes a can-opener-cum-spoon for getting at the Fonterra processed cheddar cheese, and main meals of meatballs and chilli tuna pasta. There are lots of sweets and soft drinks, and two unappetising-looking bars labelled “chocolate ration”.

Spain


The Spanish lunch pack has cans of green beans with ham, squid in vegetable oil, and pate. There is also a sachet of powdered vegetable soup, peach in syrup for dessert and crackers handed out to go with the meal in place of bread (not shown). There is a disposable heater with matches and fuel tabs, as well as lots of tablets: Vitamin C, glucose, water purification, and rehydration.

Canada


While there are Bear Paws snacks in the Canadian ration pack, there’s the shocking omission of maple syrup. You have the choice of salmon fillet with Tuscan sauce or vegetarian couscous for the main meal. There is also the makings of a peanut butter and jelly (raspberry jam) sandwich for breakfast.

Norway


The Norwegian pack has American technology (the flameless heater) but British tastes. There is Earl Grey tea, beans and bacon in tomato sauce, a golden oatie biscuit and Rowntree’s Tooty Frooties.

Germany


The German ration pack contains several sachets of grapefruit and exotic juice powder to add to water, and Italian biscotti, but also more familiar treats such as liver-sausage spread and rye bread, goulash with potatoes, and for breakfast sour cherry and apricot jams.

Estonia


Stuffed peppers, chicken-meat pâté, smoked sprats, and liver sausage with potatoes make an eclectic menu here. Plus, crispbreads on the side, and halva with vanilla for dessert. Breakfast is muesli, a fruit pocket and honey.
 
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with those menus it is no wonder that all of the army guys ate at the chow hall at Rhein Mein AB in Germany whenever they got a chance. the German cooks would really put out some very good meals
 
Can I get a post of the original website? I would love to see pics.
 
Tactically the Aussies win, cause nobody but an Australian could eat the Vegemite. The enemy would be poisoned by captured rations.

When I was in Sydney aboard USS Belleau Wood, the Austrailian military was given a tour. They traded us one of their MRE's for one of ours....and were STILL our friends afterward.

I saw the ingredients before they vanished (I got the "Paul Hogan",,,what I call their spoon/bottle opener/P-38). The pack was resealable...designed to be eaten on the march. It also had a rum ration, Hershey's chocolate, Lipton tea, dried fruit, jellied candy, something like Melba toast. I wondered why they had that and we had Meals Rejected by the Enemy.
 
None of them sound really bad. Spanish would be my last choice. But then I liked "MRE's " and "C-Rats." Actually the dreaded "green eggs & ham" were my favorite .

WTH is "vegemite" anyway?
 
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When in Thailand our cook turned out some of the best meals ever. Especially his holiday meals were luscious. Simple things like Chile on Rice became special. His Shrimp Creole was simply wonderful.
I hope he got a job in a high end restaurant after he left the Army.
 
When I was in Sydney aboard USS Belleau Wood, the Austrailian military was given a tour. They traded us one of their MRE's for one of ours....and were STILL our friends afterward.

I saw the ingredients before they vanished (I got the "Paul Hogan",,,what I call their spoon/bottle opener/P-38). The pack was resealable...designed to be eaten on the march. It also had a rum ration, Hershey's chocolate, Lipton tea, dried fruit, jellied candy, something like Melba toast. I wondered why they had that and we had Meals Rejected by the Enemy.

The Aussies at Vung Tao traded a buddy of mine 2 cases of Carling Black Label for 2 cases of VB. A week later, he came back, and the Australian quartermaster gave them the Carling back (minus 2 beers) and out of pity, handed them another 2 cases of VB:D
 
None of them sound really bad. Spanish would be my last choice. But then I liked "MRE's " and "C-Rats." Actually the dreaded "green eggs & ham" were my favorite .

WTH is "vegemite" anyway?

Vegemite, Vegemite,
Smells like tar, black as night
It don't look good and it don't taste right...
But hold your nose, mate
And 'ave a bite.

It's made from the yeast of brewery vats and plenty of salt.
Never, ever goes "bad". Shelf life of forever.:o
 
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Ahh the good old days. C-Rats warmed by the engine of a duce and a half for lunch and dinner and for breakfast powdered eggs floating in rain water as you search for someplace to sit and eat.

The French had wine rations and the Germans had there beer rations.

Then came the first MRE's.
 
But then I liked "MRE's " and "C-Rats." Actually the dreaded "green eggs & ham" were my favorite.

Ah yes, the infamous "Eggs with ham, chopped. Water added." Biggest advantage of getting a taste for them was you never had to fight over them. They were always the last box in the case.
 
Ah yes, the infamous "Eggs with ham, chopped. Water added." Biggest advantage of getting a taste for them was you never had to fight over them. They were always the last box in the case.




Usually the last with us was the ham & lima beans. One time in W, Germany, we were up against the border, a couple of kids from the local ville came by begging for food. I collect all the left over ham and Limas, made up a full case and off they went. Happy as heck. Bout an hour later they came back as just dropped them. Looks like had a broken tooth.
 
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