View Full Version : Canned food
The cookbook download thread got me thinking about canned food.
People seem happy to spend £3 on a boil in the bag meal yet you can get a can of curry for £1 and 5 minute rice for 19p, get two packets of the rice and you can feed two for £1.40 so why do we get the bag meals? Cans are not that heavy are they? Awkward to pack?
Camping with Nigel a couple of weeks back and we made a stew, diced fresh veg boiled in just enough water to cover them, and added a couple of cans of stewed steak at the end; so a cheats stew yes, but trust me it tasted fine and was a lot faster than simmering fresh beef for an hour plus it came in at about £2.50.
Don't get me wrong, I love cooking fresh food but canned food has its place so lets get some recipe ideas going. You have the stew idea above (and you could use canned spuds and mixed veg for a super fast meal) so what are your ideas?
I have used a tin of tuna, a packet of mushroom cuppa soup and some ready cooked (microwaveable) rice to make a very good kedgeree in under 3 minutes.
The tins can also be fashioned into nightlight holders, storage stoves and ashtrays, after your meal.
andythecelt
22-02-2010, 07:51
Every time I take the family car camping we have the same 1st meal. 2 tins stewed steak in gravy, 1 tin minced beef and onion in gravy, 2 large tins of potatoes, 1 tin of baby carrots, 1 tin of peas, 1 tin of chickpeas, 1 tin of sweetcorn, 2 beef oxo cubes, a good pinch of a nice herb mix. Bung the lot in the pan (I use a big aluminium dutch oven for stews, food is a lot less likely to stick because the thick walls dissipate the heat a lot better than a thin walled billy), top off with water so everything's submerged, give it a quick stir and put it on the fire or gas stove on a low heat until the tent's up. If we have time I'll make a quick bannock to go with it but TBH that doesn't happen often. We call it 'camp stew'. Imaginative huh :D
When I'm off on overnights I often take a can of all day breakfast in beans. OK, not ideal for long distance walks but I'm not obsessed with paring ounces for an overnighter.
I have used canned stuff before, its pretty handy and for the most part can be heated straight in the can ( i dont know if this is recommended but i aint died yet!) but if your really worried about the weight you could always decant it into bags and keep it in a billy or something to stop it popping all over your bag
Delia would be proud of you both. :)
I agree with you by the way. You'd think that the packet grub would be cheaper...
Maybe because food companies know that less packaging is popular, they're hoping to make money from the people who are really making an effort to buy grub that has less packaging?
You know what it's like, once something becomes a trend the price goes up.
Or, is it more expensive to make plastic from crude oil with the barrel price fluctuating over the past year?
Good question Rik_uk3.
It's got me thinking now... oh oh.
Melonfish
22-02-2010, 08:03
i've done the tinned route before, its ok if its reletively warm, otherwise opening a can in the freezing cold with your SAK tin opener is...fun.
still i'm onboard with what your saying, it IS much cheaper generally to go with tinned food, however you have to consider the trade off in weight you get, especially if your a backpacker like me.
lannyman8
22-02-2010, 08:39
tind food can be great.......
i have used 10 man orp (army rations) a few times and its dead easy. open up bung in the fire coals and away you go.
you can also boil them in water but they take longer, just put a dent in the side and wait untill its poped out (but dont over do it or let it boil dry, red hot bean juice leaves scars lol....)
the tins can also be re-used for boiling water making stew etc then binned if burnt or to dirty.
the only problem i have with them is when you DONT want the tin and you have to take it with you. this can cause problems due to the sharp edge which can cut bags and leave bean juice etc all over the place.....
what i say to you is........ buy a bag sealer (not sure on price) open the tin into a food bag and seal 90-95 percent of the way across..... now suck out all the air as best as possible and seal the remainder.....
leave enough bag for steam to enter and mix the contents and hey presto.......boil in the bag for the price of tinned and a food bag...lol
hope this helps.....chris......
I like tinned food but I usually transfer it into one of the Lakeland boil-a-bags before a trip. Particular favourites are stewing steak in gravy, Stag chilli and Morrisons chicken curry.
I don't know why people buy precooked military rations and other retort pouch food like civvy Wayfayrers. A new outdoor shop opening soon down the street from me is selling Wayfayrer meals for E8.99 on their website, a bloody rip off!
If it's precooked food you want I find Lidl canned stews good enough quality, have a very high meat content and have ring pulls so no faffing about with can openers.
In front of me now I have a can of Lidl stewed steak, meat content is 73% and weight is 411g's for a total of 489 kcal's.
Combine this with a pouch of Tesco precooked rice (approx 250g's/370 kcal's) and you have a very hearty single meal for very little money.
The washing up problem can sorted by the boil in the bag method and all rubbish weighs little and can be packed out.
Happy trails...torc.
usuall rock up to a weekend meal is super noodles with a tin of hot dog sausages n it quick easy n tastey while setting up the camp
also as a student I used to make a tin of Irish stew into a curry with a few additives etc
ATB
Duncan
Camp curry
1 tin stewed steak
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 small tin sweetcorn
1 small tin sliced mushrooms
1 onion sliced
3 tablespoons madras curry powder
pour all in a pan
bring to slow boil
remove from heat and chow down
Can of 'Princess' liver and onions in gravy and spuds, fresh, canned or dried.
Rob_Beek
22-02-2010, 14:28
At least 2 tins of beans has come along with me everytime, sometimes soup and tuna i love tinned stuff. It's cheap! I made a sausage and bean stew the other week.
Chilli Wraps
All ingredients available cheaply from Aldi
1 can red kidney beans
1 spoonful of chilli paste
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 Lb mince
1 finely chopped onion
1 pack tortillas.
1 pack grated cheese
1 mixed salad pack
Fry onions, add mince, cook till brown, add chilli paste, add beans, add tomatoes, cook for one hour, low heat.
Assemble
Feeds three (or five if the wife is present)
The tin problem is dead easy to sort out.
The night before you set off open the tin and tip the contents into a 'Pour & Store' Bag, they are designed for freezing soups - stocks etc. - The upside of that is not only saving on weight and messy tins - but you can boil them in the bag and brew from the same water. When backpacking it will mean that you dont loose any of the precious water to rehydrate, you get the low cost of tinned food ie big breakfast, chilie, curry, stews etc. no washing up, win win situation. Add to the load some packets of smash, uncle bens microwave rice, pitta bread, nan bread etc & sorted. For more than a few days you can freeze the contents solid and they will defrost slowlyready for when you need them.
Cheers
Nick
we also used to do a mystrey stew all in thing where every body had to bring a tin and they where all put in a big billy usually with a lot of chilli etc
worked well 99% of the time just a bit of a problem if every one brings Beans :eek::D
didnt have a big enough pot one day so nicked one of the TA group
who werent to happy next day as it was there tea boiling pot OC want happy with Chilli tea :D
ATB
Duncan
Everything Mac
22-02-2010, 17:02
as much as I would love to have tinned stew I'm afraid that the stuff disagrees with my bowls. as do a number of brown coloured foods due to the inclusion of the colouring caramel.
If I could find a tin of stew without this in I would happily use it when camping.
I like bringing a tin of beans and a tin of rice pudding. both yummy.
those lakeland boil a bags look good but there are mixed reports on their website.
apparently you need to have a high water content in the bag or summit.
you can get a tin of curry sauce from tesco for 18p - its good too, as long as you add a few spices.
andy
Native Nathan
23-02-2010, 23:53
The tin problem is dead easy to sort out.
The night before you set off open the tin and tip the contents into a 'Pour & Store' Bag, they are designed for freezing soups - stocks etc. - The upside of that is not only saving on weight and messy tins - but you can boil them in the bag and brew from the same water. When backpacking it will mean that you dont loose any of the precious water to rehydrate, you get the low cost of tinned food ie big breakfast, chilie, curry, stews etc. no washing up, win win situation. Add to the load some packets of smash, uncle bens microwave rice, pitta bread, nan bread etc & sorted. For more than a few days you can freeze the contents solid and they will defrost slowlyready for when you need them.
Cheers
Nick
Spooky, thats exactly what i do...
I freeze the meals to stop them making a mess should they burst (which they haven't yet)
The 'Pour & Store' Bag cost about £1 for 8, but they are heavy duty bags and can easily be washed out and reused..
LordRose
24-02-2010, 00:15
The last few times Ive been out Ive survived entirely off of uncle bens microwave rice, boil it in the packet and add a few chopped up pepperami and your laughing! Theres no need to pay the outrageous prices they charge for ration packs. For the price of two 'meals' you could have walked into the nearest wetherspoons and got a beer and burger for the same price!
Spaghetti
Depending on how wild you go on veggies (amount), this will be enough for 2 adults. Costs: about 3-4 GBP
1 tin corned beef
1 tin peas (small)
1 tin tomato puree (small)
spaghetti
onion (and/or a leak, paprika's, red peppers, etc.)
olive oil
whatever spices you can get your hands on (salt, pepper, paprika,
1. Boil spaghetti with (drained) peas and a little olive oil
2. Put away pot (sleeping bag)
3. Cut up onion and fry up lightly with a little olive oil
4. Add chopped up corned beef
5. Add tomato puree
6. Add spices to flavour
7. Add spaghetti & peas
Make up some instant spud, mash up a can of pilchards, mix the two together and fry, quick and easy fish cakes.
Make up some instant spud, mash up a can of pilchards, mix the two together and fry, quick and easy fish cakes.
I like that - nice one goodjob
Everything Mac
26-02-2010, 21:29
I had a tin of beef curry today. wasn't bad.
wasn't great and it's still recurring on me tbh - but it wasn't bad. :o
andy
British Red
26-02-2010, 21:34
http://www.britsuperstore.com/acatalog/Princes_Bacon_Grill300g.jpg
phill_ue
26-02-2010, 21:55
You can get beans in a carton in Asda, so it can actually be burnt after use. They aren't too bad, I might try and find other foods in cartons that normally come in tins as I find packing tins away always leaves either a mess or your kit stinking!
http://www.britsuperstore.com/acatalog/Princes_Bacon_Grill300g.jpg
brilliant stuff - cant get enough
phill_ue
26-02-2010, 22:02
http://www.britsuperstore.com/acatalog/Princes_Bacon_Grill300g.jpg
Does it come in a carton?!
Does it come in a carton?!
No, and lets hope it never does, the can itself like the SPAM can or corned beef can are iconic :)
Re empty cans; just stamp them flat and store them in a zip lock bag.
livefast999
01-03-2010, 13:20
Ive been reading this thread with interest.
Buying tinned food def works out cheaper, how ever it pays to look at the ingredients. I just had a look at Asda smart price mince and onions 68pence 28% beef, however asda own brand is 98pence with 60% beef.
Obviously you get what you pay for, but one thing I have noticed is the use of Mechanically Recovered Meat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanically_separated_meat being used in tinned meat.
I would want to steer clear of this stuff, but what are your thoughts on MRM ?
Everything Mac
01-03-2010, 18:10
I would be inclined to agree. but my wallet is bigger than me and has a bat:o
on a serious note - I do tend to check the ingredients of things haven't eaten before as I am allergic to certain colours and preservatives.
I am often supprised at how little rubbish there is in cheap stuff - yet the more expensive versions are full of cr*p.
The tin of curry I tried at the weekend was rather good - I imagine it would be even better on a cold night ;) - not to much rubbish in it either - AND they had a whole load of them.
I find all of the beef stew type stuff has the colouring I'm allergic to in it.
andy
There's some nifty CHEAP boil in the bag stuff out there too, if you like curry. A vist to yer local friendly asian store will offer up a world o delights.
markheolddu
01-03-2010, 19:19
I love tinned food, Stag chilli, Tesco chicken tikka massala and Lidls bacon grill:D
bikebum1975
02-03-2010, 00:05
Gotta love canned foods for all the assorted tins of fish you can get that they don't offer in the foil packets. Plus I am not sure if they do offer it in foil packets is tuna and other fishes in oil my prefered way to have it.
Chinkapin
02-03-2010, 04:26
Ahhhhh! beer! Well that's a canned food isn't it??? Beer = liquid bread. Well, anyway, I'm all about canned food, although it IS heavy.
Here are some of my canned favorites that I buy routinely:
Crown Prince Brisling Sardines (in olive oil). A product of Scotland.
Polar Kipper Snacks. A product of Germany
Crown Prince Kipper Snacks. A product of Canada
Bumble Bee Chicken Salad (with crackers). A product of the US.
Bumble Bee Tuna Salad (with crackers). A product of the US.
All of these can be eaten right out of the can, no muss, no fuss.
The Bumble Bee products have some saltine crackers and a small plastic spoon to put the tuna / chicken onto the crackers. Quite good.
Of course there is always Spam. Most Americans will deny that they have ever eaten any ever in their lives. The sales of Spam show this to be a lie. I will admit to eating it and to liking it. But I only like it fried. Spam, fried potatoes, eggs. Mummmm! Well perhaps you CAN hear your arteries hardening, but that's another thread.
Crown Prince Brisling Sardines (in olive oil). A product of Scotland.
I've never heard of that, I don't think we can get that here!! Must be for the export market.
Spam is hugely popular here, especially Spam Fritters (done in batter).
That shocked me as I always thought it was part of a poor person's diet (we were poor) but I saw it sell out in a Works Canteen about six years ago and there was almost a riot.
I like eating it straight from the tin. :)
atb
Liam
Chinkapin
07-03-2010, 16:48
A few years ago I saw the CEO of the company that makes Spam, being interviewed on television. He stated that Spam was made from bits and pieces that were trimmed off of the bone of the best cuts of meat. He went on to say that there were no internal organ or undesirable parts like ears or snouts in it.
So those who were concerned about that can rest easy.
During WWII, Spam was part of the army canned rations. I think a lot of soldiers developed a taste for it that they brought home after the war.
I wonder if it was supplied to Britain as part of the war effort, and was in Brit rations? Would be interested to know. I do know tons of it was shipped to Russia under the lend lease act.
Whittler Kev
07-03-2010, 17:51
you can get a can of curry for £1 and 5 minute rice for 19p, get two packets of the rice and you can feed two for £1.40 so why do we get the bag meals? Cans are not that heavy are they? Awkward to pack?
Just been to Tesco's. Their value Curry is 4p a tin - I kid you not, four pence a tin! and it don't taste to bad either. Mild for us whoosies.
Sweet & sour is 40p a tin
That takes it down to 42p to feed two people
:drive:
A few years ago I saw the CEO of the company that makes Spam, being interviewed on television. He stated that Spam was made from bits and pieces that were trimmed off of the bone of the best cuts of meat. He went on to say that there were no internal organ or undesirable parts like ears or snouts in it.
So those who were concerned about that can rest easy.
During WWII, Spam was part of the army canned rations. I think a lot of soldiers developed a taste for it that they brought home after the war.
I wonder if it was supplied to Britain as part of the war effort, and was in Brit rations? Would be interested to know. I do know tons of it was shipped to Russia under the lend lease act.
Spam was available in the UK during WW2 and was very popular. It often came up on the 'black market' or sold by US troops to the public (as were things like canned fruit, smokes, nylons, coffee etc).
Hoarding food in the UK was against the law during WW2, but anyway, my mom, single at the time had a 'fling' with a USAF officer. One Sunday morning a jeep pulled up outside of my moms mothers house stocked up with cases of 'goodies'. My gran told me in later years that she had to hide the food all over the house, under floor boards etc lol. My mom told me that if the US pilot had not gone and got killed there was every chance I would have been an American; he had proposed to her only days before his death :(
Whittler Kev
07-03-2010, 17:59
if the US pilot had not gone and got killed there was every chance I would have been an American; he had proposed to her only days before his death :(
There can only be one reply to that ....God Damn!
Graham_S
07-03-2010, 18:10
I'm not that bothered. I have to admit a liking to Bacon Grill, it must be down to my military service :D
I tend to use canned beans in stews when I'm out to save soaking, and some of the canned curry/chilli is very good too.
I did notice last time I was home that Asda have started selling baked beans in cartons.
Celt_Ginger
07-03-2010, 18:16
I will freely admit that bacon grill and Spam are first rate. Stag Chilli hits the spot too. I do tend though to make up my own stews and curries at home (that way i know what has gone into them) and bag them up, but mostly, when our group goes out, we bring fresh ingredients and make a big stew/ curry or fry up. We've even done chips!
I will freely admit that bacon grill and Spam are first rate. Stag Chilli hits the spot too. I do tend though to make up my own stews and curries at home (that way i know what has gone into them) and bag them up, but mostly, when our group goes out, we bring fresh ingredients and make a big stew/ curry or fry up. We've even done chips!
Stagg Chilli :) American mates used to talk about this a few years ago, then all of a sudden its on sale in Tesco. A lot of American stuff coming on the shelves recently, things like Betty Crocker pancake mix and Bisquick.
Any UK suppliers of Grits or cornbread mix?
British Red
07-03-2010, 18:33
I wonder if it was supplied to Britain as part of the war effort, and was in Brit rations? Would be interested to know. I do know tons of it was shipped to Russia under the lend lease act.
Macabrely tinned meat (especially corned beef) is known even now by old salts of the RN as "Sweet Fanny Adams". This refers to the horrifying dismemberment of a young girl just along the road from our cottage - the sailors on confronting tinned mutton said it must have been "sweet Fanny Adams". Later this became "Sweet FA" (the more acknowledged acronym is a later misnomer).
For anyone interested in the history (please, its not for the delicate of stomach), there is a write up on the Hampshire website
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/curtis-museum/alton-history/fanny-adams.htm
Red
Sad, but a very interesting read, the etymology of words can be fascinating
After D day with troops mingling with local lasses in Europe, SPAM picked up another name amongst troops, but not one I can spell out in full on a family forum;)
andybysea
07-03-2010, 20:41
Agreed, very sad but interesting read. Give us a clue Rik?
helixpteron
07-03-2010, 20:46
Red, thanks for posting the link, I love language and the origins of words and phrases, and this is one which I'd never known the history of.
Stagg Chili :D I was surprised to see that on here.
It's been awhile since I've had Spam but I remember my dad used to serve it up now and then. Baked, I think, with cloves.
I have switched from B&M baked beans to Bush's Best brand baked beans. Tasty.
I'll take canned food along for an outing. Often it is easier than hauling water to rehydrate meals or just gets me out the door faster.
I love this cornbread mix:
http://www.hodgsonmill.com/roi/673/More-Baking-Mixes/Cornbread--Muffin-Mix-00801.htm
An extra egg, plenty of butter and about 6oz green chile, yeah, that's for dinner tonight:D
https://www.weshipchile.com/index.php?productID=14
I am absolutely addicted to green chile. We get it fresh (in the fall) or frozen. I know that I've seen it in cans, will have a look around.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexican_cuisine
drewdunnrespect
07-03-2010, 21:21
well said andy by sea i agree come on rick give us a clue
helixpteron
08-03-2010, 00:02
I am absolutely addicted to green chile.
Ah'... This explains the colour of your Packraft! http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/helixpteron/happy0054.gif
Any UK suppliers of Grits or cornbread mix?
Looks like this place has it all, grits, cornbread, green chile in a can:
http://www.americansweets.co.uk/usa-groceriessoda-1-c.asp
For car camping tins are fine, otherwise it's weight I just won't carry.
I do like the Marigold braised tofu in tins :) a lot less fuss and bother than the packets swimming in water.
I also like grapefruit at breakfast, buying the wee tins of it already prepared makes life easy.
I like marrowfat peas and those little potatoes for the basis for a stew if I'm only taking a stove along and don't want to boil food for ages.
HWMBLT likes the bacon grill stuff, and yeah he likes it frittered but camping he just fries it up.
He takes the small evaporated milk tins along when he's camping.
I have to admit I don't really use a lot of tins, even at home. Handy though.
cheers,
Toddy
Agreed, very sad but interesting read. Give us a clue Rik?
"_ _ _ _ in a can"
"_ _ _ _ in a can"
Is this like hangman?
Can have a U?:D
crushthesystem
08-03-2010, 11:39
boil in the bag type rice a tin of tuna some tomato puree and some chili flakes :) put the rice on and mix up the tuna, tomato puree and some flaked chilis or dried chilis or whatever you prefer really (i quite like it with just the seeds from chili) then add a bit of water but not much fry up the tuna mix then put it on the rice :) not too much tinned stuff needed that way tuna comes in diddy cans lol.
Chinkapin
08-03-2010, 19:23
Rik and BR, Both very interesting stories.
My brother-in-law flew in a B-17 out of Ridgewell during the war. Ridgewell had been the home of RAF 90 Squadron prior to the arrival of 381 Bomb Group. I understand there is a monument on the site but that the base is almost entirely gone, with only some remains of buildings, and has reverted back to farmland for the most part.
The mention of Spam can take you to all sorts of interesting places.
British Red
08-03-2010, 20:33
My brother-in-law flew in a B-17 out of Ridgewell during the war. Ridgewell had been the home of RAF 90 Squadron prior to the arrival of 381 Bomb Group. I understand there is a monument on the site but that the base is almost entirely gone, with only some remains of buildings, and has reverted back to farmland for the most part.
Did you know B-17 "The Joker" returned to the USA after flying 50 missions from RAF Ridgewell?
You might like this picc :)
http://home.btconnect.com/381st/JOKER.JPG
Red
Chinkapin
09-03-2010, 16:19
Thanks for the picture Red, I had not seen it before. There is a documentary film called, I believe, "All the Fine Young Men" It followed a young pilot and his crew during the war. I found out just a few days ago, that this particular pilot was in the 381 Bomb Group flying out of Ridgewell. I think it was shown on the History Channel. I saw it about six or seven years ago. Now, I'm looking for it again, since I found out that most of the ground portion of the documentary was shot at Ridgewell. Coincidentally, I have heard that former members of air crews who have seen it say that it captures what bombing missions and air combat was all about better that any other documentary.
Thanks again for the picture.