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Cold main meal without cooking or refridgeration

1K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  flipflopgirl 
#1 ·
Hello,

Bit of a strange one but hear me out. My wife is currently deployed overseas and it's our anniversary soon. I had the idea of sending her a meal to have on the day as obviously we won't be going out, but I'm having no luck working out what I could send. She doesn't have access to a kettle / microwave / kitchen of any sort and it would have to survive the (approximately) week it takes to get there. Desert is easy enough, but could anyone suggest a suitable starter / main? The only thing I'd thought of so far was some form of non-perishable bread product with some potted beef / chicken as a pâté like substitute!

Thanks in advance
 
#3 · (Edited)
That is sweet.

Maybe a nice / favorite cracker and shelf stable cheese -i.e. Laughing Cow, Babel, some pasturized bries (check the label to see if it needs to be kept refrigerated). A shelf stable sausage and a nice nut mix and you have a pretty nice starter spread. This is a stupid question on my part - could you add a little boxed wine?
 
#5 ·
That is sweet.

Maybe a nice / favorite cracker and shelf stable cheese -i.e. Laughing Cow, Babel, some pasturized bries (check the label to see if it needs to be kept refrigerated). A shelf stable sausage and a nice nut mix and you have a pretty nice starter spread. This is a stupid question on my part - could you add a little boxed wine?
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll take a look!

She's not actually a big fan of wine, however I've already got that covered with a bottle of coke and a wine glass /img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif

I did have a thought about the main - potentially a tin of salmon (which I know won't be nearly as good as the proper thing, but it's more the gesture), however I'm not quite sure what could go with it?
 
#6 ·
Thatnisnso sweet. I can only think of fancy crackers and dry salami. I don't know if any worthwhile cheese that would survive without refrigeration.

So along with the few edible items you can send make sure to send stuff she'll love like a little book of poetry, some nail polish, a calming eye mask, fancy tea bags, photos, and other pampering type stuff that you know she might like.
 
#9 ·
Chocolates keep well. Candy too. Several of our local grocery chains carry various tins of fancy products like foe gras pate and the like. Of course that depends on what her preferences are. 

     You don't say where she is deployed so I'll offer that if she is near a city, you could contact her group or leader and arrange for a pre paid meal at a local restaurant.    

     Speak to the quartermaster and see about arranging a shipment of something  for her and her comrades. (I'm thinking of the scene in MASH where they order ribs from Chicago.) 

    Get her comrades to sing Happy Anniversary to her or hang a surprise banner in her barracks/tent.

I'll see if I can come up with more later.
 
#11 ·
So along with the few edible items you can send make sure to send stuff she'll love like a little book of poetry, some nail polish, a calming eye mask, fancy tea bags, photos, and other pampering type stuff that you know she might like.
Don't worry she already gets things like that, I'm a good husband! The last parcel was 2.5lb of sweets and chocolate :)
do you have the equipment to do canning or know someone who does? then you could do your secret chili or red sauce or stew recipe. It really is the thought that counts.
Sadly not and I'm not really much of a cook!
Originally Posted by chefwriter

You don't say where she is deployed so I'll offer that if she is near a city, you could contact her group or leader and arrange for a pre paid meal at a local restaurant.

Speak to the quartermaster and see about arranging a shipment of something for her and her comrades. (I'm thinking of the scene in MASH where they order ribs from Chicago.)

Get her comrades to sing Happy Anniversary to her or hang a surprise banner in her barracks/tent.
Without going into too much detail it's a small base and due to a few things getting off it isn't that feasible. Plus because of her job she's gone out there individually and isn't part of a group (her circle of friends out there is limited to people she's met in the last month), so there isn't anyone I'd be able to get in touch with for anything like that. I've got a banner and some balloons ready though, she'll just have to put them up herself!
I would look at doing it like a gourmet food basket with asst crackers, smoked meats, cheese, pickles, pickeled vegetables. Like you said the desert is easier. ChefBillyB
The basket idea might actually be a bit easier to manage than trying a starter / main / dessert and would likely have the same sort of impact, so I'll have a think about that.

I've also just discovered that contrary to my first post she does have a kettle, so I'm now also thinking that something like noodles or cous cous could be an option, so if anyone has any more thoughts on things you can do with hot water suggestions are welcome!

Thanks all for your help thus far!
 
#12 ·
I'm with Fatcook on this one. Some nice crackers, maybe some shelf stable cheese, some shelf stable sausage and salami. I would also include a variety of pickled vegetables, some fresh or dried fruits and a small jar of jam. This is one my wife's and my favorite meals.
 
#13 ·
This thread has given me a good idea for the namesake's summer project.

She got pretty bored a few times living at the end of the road (believe it ... you can't spend all the time at the beach lol).

Was searching for a list of items NOT to pack and was going to work backwards from there.

Ran across this http://www.bootsonground.com/soldier-restricted-items.htm and the nitelite went off.

She was fascinated with the soldiers on Memorial Day so why not help her send cards and a few packages to some of America's finest who have no one at home to fill those shoes?

Can use up some of those Amazon boxes that are piling up.

/img/vbsmilies/smilies/cool.gif

Thanks @Bertiee, for the spark....

mimi
 
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