How to make Survival Stew
Timeframes to complete this recipe have everything to do with making sure you have all your tools and materials first and at the ready. These are estimated timeframes: Prepper: 1 to 2 hours Preppy: 2 hours Skill Level: 1 out of 5 (some can opening, stirring)
The forest breathed a faint sigh as the last light of day slipped below the horizon. The gray-blue sky hung heavy with the chill of late fall, promising a cold night ahead. Joshua tugged his scarf tighter against his neck, the fabric rough but welcome as it shielded him from the biting air. He dropped his pack to the ground with a dull thud, surveying the clearing he’d chosen for the night. The small patch of earth was tucked near a gentle stream, flanked by tall oaks whose skeletal branches reached toward the fading light.
“This’ll work,” he murmured, his breath fogging in the air. The fire would need to happen first. The night wasn’t going to wait for him, and warmth had to come before anything else.
He knelt to clear the ground, scooping away layers of damp leaves until bare earth appeared. His hands moved deftly, arranging kindling into a neat pyramid before striking a match. The bark caught quickly, and soon the small flames danced hungrily, licking at the larger sticks he added to the pile. The fire crackled, its glow cutting through the encroaching shadows.
With the fire alive, Joshua pulled out his cooking gear—a well-worn aluminum pot and a vacuum-sealed bag labeled Survival Stew Mix. The bag crinkled in his hands as he opened it, revealing a mix of lentils, rice, dehydrated vegetables, and a bouillon cube. He filled the pot with water from the stream, filtering it carefully before setting it over the fire.
The stew mix hit the water with a soft hiss, and Joshua stirred it with the back of his spoon, watching as the lentils sank to the bottom and the vegetables floated on the surface. The faint aroma of garlic and herbs rose with the steam, and for a moment, the cold seemed a little less sharp.
While the stew simmered, he turned to the rest of his camp. Pulling his tent from his pack, he worked quickly, threading the poles and snapping them into place. The fabric glinted softly in the firelight, a deep green that blended with the forest floor. He pitched it just far enough from the fire to avoid sparks but close enough to catch some of its warmth. Inside, he unrolled his sleeping bag, giving it a quick fluff before smoothing it over a foam mat. The setup was small, simple, but exactly what he needed.
Joshua stepped back out into the clearing, pausing to gather an armful of firewood from the surrounding forest. The night would be long, and the fire couldn’t be allowed to die. He stacked the wood neatly near the flames, sorting the branches by size and adding a few to the fire to keep it steady.
The stew was bubbling now, its aroma rich and comforting, filling the crisp air with the promise of something warm and satisfying. Joshua crouched by the fire, giving the pot a gentle stir. The lentils had softened, the rice was plump, and the dehydrated vegetables had rehydrated into bursts of color. He tasted it, nodding in approval. It was hearty, savory, and exactly what he needed after a day of hiking.
Ladling the stew into his tin bowl, he settled onto a flat rock near the fire. The heat of the bowl seeped into his hands as he ate slowly, savoring every bite. The warmth spread through his chest, easing the tension in his shoulders and making the cold seem less oppressive. Above him, the stars pricked through the night sky, bright and unbothered by the chill.
When he was finished, Joshua rinsed the pot in the stream, his hands trembling slightly from the icy water. Back at the fire, he added more logs, watching as the flames leapt higher, casting flickering shadows against the surrounding trees. Crawling into the tent, he zipped it closed behind him and slid into his sleeping bag. The fire outside crackled steadily, a comforting barrier between him and the wild night.
As he closed his eyes, he felt a deep sense of contentment. The forest could do its worst, but he was ready. Joshua drifted off, the scent of woodsmoke and stew still lingering in the air, his body cocooned in the sleeping bag and his mind at peace with the wilderness.
How To Make Survival Stew - nutrient-dense, long-lasting, and easy to prepare with minimal resources.
Survival Stew Recipe
Ingredients:
• 1 cup dried lentils
• 1 cup rice (white or brown)
• 1 cup dehydrated vegetables (carrots, celery, onions, etc.)
• 2 bouillon cubes (chicken or vegetable)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• Optional: Salt, pepper, or a drizzle of oil for added flavor
Tools: 1 – 4-quart Stew pot (preferably cast iron) 1 – Long wooden spoon for stirring 2 – Bowls to enjoy with a friend Directions:
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil over a fire or stove.
Add all ingredients to the pot, stirring gently.
Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils and rice are tender.
Serve hot and enjoy the warmth it brings to a cold night.
End recipe BR12/2024