Trader Joes for Survival?

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Aug 22, 2005
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Was at Trader Joes today and saw that they seem to carry quite a bit of food that could be used in an emergency situation.

I was particularly interested in the pouches of precooked rice that they had. They seemed to have a shelf life of over a year. Anyone currently using these as an emergency ration? Also does anyone know of a way to store precooked rice yourself using a foodsaver vacuum sealer?

I feel pretty good about the supplies I have at the house (mostly just your ordinary pantry items that I make sure we have a good supply of at all times). But I was thinking about making up a kit for the SUV for a just in case type situation.
 
I bought some of the precooked rice at Safeway a week or so back. 8.8 oz for a buck. I paid more for the package than for the rice. I think it would be good for a vehicle based survival kit where weight isn't a factor and a few food packages no matter what the price won't break the bank. For the bush, at least for me, I like to carry plain rice and cook it while also treating that portion of water. We buy rice in 25lb bags from Costco on the cheap and usually have at least 30-40 lbs in the house at any given time. I do like Trader Joes.
 
Hey Guys..

Racer...

I've went past a Trader Joes in Detroit hundreds of times,, and always wondered what type of store it is..

We are usually on a mission,,so never have time to stop..

Exactly what kind of store is it ??

I'm picturing it like a big Lots or something....

2dogs...

Can you explain your method of cooking rice in the field..

I admit I'm not much of a Rice cooker,, unless it's instant...

Also a Rice related question..

I just seen a 20lb bag of rice in the super market tonight that said "Scented Rice" on the bag..

What the Hell is "Scented Rice " ???

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Budiiee...

As a matter of fact,,

Yes I would...

:)

Usually to eager to get to Target Shooting sports or Joes!! LOL

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Eric rice is one of the easiest dishes to cook over an open fire or stove. All you need is heat. Regular rice is cooked (steamed) thefollowing way. Whatever quantity rice you cook all you need to do is add twice that much water. So for 1/4 cup rice you need 1/2 cup water. Start by bringing the water to a boil, add the rice bring the water back to a boil and then reduce the hat to a very low level. Your cooking pot should have a cover to kep the staem in. Keep the low heat heat on for 20 minutes. That's it! My son steams rice in a canteen cup or the pot of a Boy Scout mess kit. Keep the lid on as much as you can.

You can also boil the rice in a large quantity of water and then strain the water but that means a bigger fire and a large pot. BTW b rown rice takes twice as much time... 40 minutes.

When the rice is about done toss in some halved Brussells sprouts or carrott pennies, or brocoli. I like my rice spiced up so I'll leave that to you, but give it a try with sage. Rice picks up the flavor of even a small amount of meat or broth. Have fun.

Trader Joes is worth the time to stop there. They sell fun and interesting food stuffs. Never boring.
 
Scented rice is also called jasmine rice. Most people really like it. I worked with a guy who is Thai and that is his favorite. This rice is very fragrant, sort of flowery smelling. I get tired of jasmine and basmatti rice real fast and prefer regular or brown rice. Our rice cooker gets a good workout. I use a small pressure cooker for brown rice.
 
Hey Guys..

2Dogs..

Thanks for the cooking lesson...

I'm going to have to give that a shot for sure...

I like spicey food as well...

What do you put in it to spice it up ??

I would imagine,, you can put just about anything in the rice meat wise.. Tuna,, cooked shrimp and such... some curried chicken would be pretty nice...
That with the veggies would make an awesome trail meal...

Thanks for the advice..
I'l have to pop into that Trader Joes and have a peak around..

As for the Scented rice..

Yaa I'm not going to buy a 20lb bag of rice to find out I don't like it..
will have to check out a bulk store and see if they have any I can buy a small bag..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
noooo shit. i go to joes and target all the time. what a coincedence. i probably walked right past you on several occasions. if i get a sheath from you, we could just meet up.
 
My Trader Joes sells these nice precooked Indian-ish food packages that need no refrigeration and you simply heat up in boiling water and open to eat. I've found them quite handy for mobile car camping trips. I can't recall the name, but they seem to be Trader Joes exclusives.

Their Two Buck Chuck is pretty good, too.
 
Hey Guys..

2Dogs..

Thanks for the cooking lesson...

I'm going to have to give that a shot for sure...

I like spicey food as well...

What do you put in it to spice it up ??

Eric
O/ST

Eric,

You can add just about anything you like to the water and it'll cook into the rice. Try some Tobasco sauce in the water. It dilutes in the water, so splash it in there real good.
Rice is quite absorbant, it'll absorb flavors pretty easily.

I'd add the spices right up front before heating. If you add it later, the rice may have absorbed all the water it can, thus, keeping some of the spice taste out.

A couple Wild onions would do it, chop em real fine and toss them in.

Along those lines.
 
Anyone that has access to trader Joe's look for a beer called hair of the dog. usually they are sold by the bottle. A little pricey but well worth it 3.50 a 12 oz. bottle. They call the beer by their name Fred And Adam come in at around 10-11% alcohol. Man I wish I could still get them. Moved to FL from Cali and they aren't out here.
 
Whatever quantity rice you cook all you need to do is add twice that much water. So for 1/4 cup rice you need 1/2 cup water. Start by bringing the water to a boil, add the rice bring the water back to a boil and then reduce the hat to a very low level. Your cooking pot should have a cover to kep the staem in. Keep the low heat heat on for 20 minutes. That's it!

That works for a lot of white rice (plain Jane American, basmati and jasmine), though for jasmine and basmati I wind up using 1.5 parts water to one part rice, and simmering for 15 minutes tops. Suggest to all to read the directions on the package first - most of the brown rice I buy takes 40-55 minutes to cook.
 
RacerX, I personally think there would be many better options to use for a survival food in your suv. A box of protien or meal replacement bars would be a much more nutrient enriched supplement. While plain rice is good it just isnt going to give you all the other things you would desperately need in that situation. Another thing in addition to protein bars (which you may have a problem keeping kids out of) would be a high carb and calorie drink like a weight gainer. It is in a dry powder form and you can mix with water. It is already in its own sealed container and would contain a ton of essential vitamins and minerals as well as protein.
 
Snodog,

The rice is just something I'm thinking about in addition to other items, already on the list, Tuna Pouches, (I'm actually looking for chicken in pouches as well, as it's generally more flexible), Peanut Butter, Vacuum packed nuts, etc.

The thing I like about the rice, it does not require re-hydration, could be wrapped in foil and place on an engine block to cook, etc.

Sean


RacerX, I personally think there would be many better options to use for a survival food in your suv. A box of protien or meal replacement bars would be a much more nutrient enriched supplement. While plain rice is good it just isnt going to give you all the other things you would desperately need in that situation. Another thing in addition to protein bars (which you may have a problem keeping kids out of) would be a high carb and calorie drink like a weight gainer. It is in a dry powder form and you can mix with water. It is already in its own sealed container and would contain a ton of essential vitamins and minerals as well as protein.
 
Yeah I got ya,,,the high carb and calorie supplement is perfect if you are stranded though or need to sustain caloric intake without dropping weight plus it tastes very good...
 
TJ's is where i do the vast majority of my food shopping. health food without the huge markup. btw, for anyone who uses a protein shake for their workout routine. TJ's has the most balanced whey protein powder i have ever seen
 
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