CANNED CHEESE FOR FOOD STORAGE - Bega Cheese REVIEW

Anything that doesn't require refrigeration is a HUGE PLUS to me -- as I like to be prepare for ALL types of emergencies! 

Also, canned food that can be packed for camping is a major BONUS.

BEGA Cheese, is manufactured by the same company (Ballantyne in New Zealand) that makes the RED FEATHER BUTTER 

This cheese has an indefinite shelf life - meaning it will last for years as long as it is stored properly and the can remains sealed.

Adding protein and variety to our food storage is very important, and I was curious about the texture of this cheese. After taking off the lid, I slid a butter knife around the cheese in a circle to loosen.

The cheese is somewhat like Velveeta cheese, but a bit more firm in texture.

3 family members sampled the cheese. Both self and spouse thought it was delicious - it has a distinct white cheddar cheese flavor, with a combination of Velveeta in taste/texture. The cheese is perfect for slicing and snacking. My protesting teen who originally didn't want to sample, gingerly took a nibble, and proceeded afterwards to pop the entire cheese and cracker into her mouth. Score!

Once opened, I refrigerated mine in a ziploc sandwich bag.

                                                OVERALL, I give this cheese a hearty *****5 Star review, due to the fact that not only does it tastes pretty dang good, but it has a good shelf life and we can enjoy cheese and crackers when the lights go out! Yeeehaw!

If you haven't checked out my review on RED FEATHER BUTTER, drop on by! This item is another MUST for the food storage!

CANNED BUTTER FOR FOOD STORAGE - Red Feather Brand REVIEW

Have you been searching for butter to store away in your food pantry? 

The Red Feather brand is imported from New Zealand, and it is the REAL DEAL! 

Only 2 ingredients - CREAM and SALT 

The powdered butter I had in my food storage wasn't the same as having fresh butter.... I wanted butter that was FIRM, so I could slice and spread over waffles, or homemade bread and biscuits... I wanted rich and creamy butter that I could store on a shelf! 

So far this butter hasn't disappointed. I could barely pry off the lid. 

With can opener, I opened both sides and slid butter out. 

And of course, the taste test -- Creamy, and DEEE-LICIOUS! Hard to believe this came from a can! 

I give this butter a hearty 5 stars *****

I am one happy camper! Prepper! Prepper that camps! 

This butter is worth every penny as it has value for the longterm food storage

But I did some comparison shopping and noticed Amazon was asking $59 for 6 cans (see photo above)

Walmart.com offered 6 cans for $41.99 - that's a HUGE $17 savings in comparison to Amazon!  I placed my order online with Walmart with free shipping and received my butter in less than 4 days (counting weekend) 

**The can is good sized and equivalent to 3 sticks of butter

I always refrigerate my butter, but in an off grid situation, butter is fine at room temp in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.

A huge THUMBS UP for Red Feather Butter! 

Stay tuned for my next review on canned cheese! 

MEAT AND POTATO CASSEROLE - Using Emergency Food Storage

This dish has always been a family favorite. Even better, it's so simple to fix!

PICTURED are ingredients that you can store LONG TERM in your pantry for emergencies.

 

THIS RECIPE calls for meat, and you can use either ground beef, canned chicken, tuna, or even leftover turkey.

 

 FOR POTATOES, if you don't have fresh from your garden, you can use dehydrated potatoes.

 

 

For this meal, I'm using only 4 ingredients from my emergency food storage.

 

Dehydrated Potatoes

Family Size can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

Canned Ground Beef

Dehydrated Peas

 

 

First, get the dehydrated potatoes soaking in a bowl of water for about 20-30 minutes, and afterwards drain.  If you're new to dehydrated potatoes, and thinking about buying some, here's a link to an article of mine where I give a review for ----- Augason Farms Dehydrated Potatoes - which I'm using in this recipe.

 

OR if you're using fresh potatoes, then slice them thin about 1/4 inch thick.

 

 

Oil your pan GENEROUSLY using cooking oil, or shortening. You don't want those potatoes to stick.  

 

 

 Take half of the potatoes and line the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and pepper.

 

 

 

Here I've added the Cream of Mushroom Soup (you can make homemade if you prefer) but I like to keep some canned around for emergencies.

 

I had rehydrated the peas in advance (like the potatoes) and adding these.

 

Since my canned ground beef is precooked, I've just drained and added. Same as you would do if you were adding canned chicken or tuna.

 

MIX ALL TOGETHER.

 



 Spread evenly and carefully over the bed of potatoes.

 

ADD THE FINAL BATCH of potatoes to the top, completely covering the mix. Salt/pepper.  

 

BAKE (350-400) until potatoes on top brown.

 

 

SERVE with beans on the side or a fresh salad from your garden.

 

Or eat by itself. It's very filling!

 

 

 I fixed this meal tonight using our food stash and my husband gushed that it was the best meal he'd had all week!  

 

Like I said, it's a family favorite ;)

If you give this recipe a try, feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you think!