We have learned about some of the food items we should include in our food kit as well as some ways to prepare that food. What we have missed is the tools, the utensils that will make this type of cooking much easier! These are my suggestions on items to include in your kit.
First you will want some alternative ways to cook like a Dutch oven, box oven or barbecue. These three cooking methods all utilize the heat from charcoal so that too, should be in you kit. Let’s take a look at some additional items we should consider:
* Briquettes
* Lighter fluid or fire starters
* Waterproof Matches
* Two pair of tongs one for the charcoal and one for cooking
* Heavy duty aluminum foil
* Ziploc Bags
* 12 quart Dutch oven
* Cast iron skillet
* Pancake Turner
* Large fork and spoon
* Baking tins of various sizes
* Lots of herbs and spices
* Sprouting seed and growing container.
These items are just the bare minimum that you should include. The briquettes will be great for providing heat for cooking. Fire starters can be made ahead of time very easily. One of the easiest is to take a cardboard egg carton and fill each space with clean wood shavings. Then melt and pour paraffin over each of these shaving filled spaces. When you need to start some charcoal tear one or two section off of the carton and place it in the middle of the briquettes and light. Before you know it your briquettes will be ready for you to use.
The waterproof matches will help you get that fire burning no matter what the weather conditions are. I feel the tongs are necessary so you can move the hot coals around and the second pair for cooking. The foil can be used to cook in, line pans with or store extra food in. The ziploc bags will have lots of uses. You can even make eggs or pudding in them. A Dutch oven is a must as far as I’m concerned because it is such a versatile item. You can fry, bake, roast or boil in it. The same holds true for the cast iron skillet. It too will find many uses. The turner, fork and spoon will just help you in turning, stirring and of course serving. Baking tins can be used to hold hot charcoal, mixing or for actual baking.
Using your herbs and spices you will be able to make delicious meals in even the most stressful times. You can always grow your own and have fresh herbs whenever you need them.
