MRE Monday - LRP Beef Stroganoff

A few months ago I ordered a sample package of the Long Range Patrol ( "LuRP" ) MREs. The original Lurp dates back to 1964. It was designed for Special Operation troops that patrolled deep into VietCong territory when C-rations were too heavy for extended missions while on foot.

The Lurp has gone through several variations since it's first introduction. In 1994, this newest version of the Lurp was designed to allow the soldier to carry more food at a lower weight. This is the main advantage of the Lurp. The Lurp does have it's disadvantages in arid dry climates when water is not readily available versus the standard MRE which requires water only for the beverage.

The full title on the package reads "Freeze Dried Stroganoff with Beef & Noodles".

Roughly 5 oz dry weight

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 4.59 oz.(dry) Add 16 oz Hot water and wait ten minutes
Calories: 590
Calories from fat: 200
Total Fat: 22g or 34% DV
Cholesterol: 95mg or 32% DV
Sodium: 1540mg or 64% DV
Total Carbohydrates: 70g or 23% DV
Dietary Fiber: 11g or 44% DV
Sugars: 14g
Protein: 27g
Vitamin A: 10% DV
Vitamin C: 20% DV
Calcium:  30% DV
Iron: 20%

Expectations:

I have never been a fan of Beef Stroganoff, but approached this with an open mind. Sweetheart likes pasta and was enthusiastic about trying this one.

A look inside of the pouch without water.

Realities:

Row, the almost seven year old, turned his nose up at the small dish and thought that they didn't look good. After a small bite, he said that " They don't taste good." I asked him to take another bite to make sure, but he couldn't comprehend why I would want him to take another when he didn't like the first one. I didn't press the issue, and told him it was okay to set it aside. I don't want to alienate one of my food critics.

Red Ant, the soon to be four year old, also commented that he didn't like it even before it made it into his mouth. He took a bite, and that was it for the Beef Stroganoff.

Sweetheart, the soon to be,  liked the thin noodles and said that the flavor was "not bad". She took a few more bites and noted that the noodles had a good consistency. She did say that the freeze dried Beef Stroganoff was better than the freeze dried scrambled eggs that we had tried last year. The bits of beef could have a better texture, was another observation that she noted. She finished her sample and said that she would eat this again.

Mother-in-law was having dinner with us, soon she was included in this review. She immediately noticed the freeze dried flavor and thought it was a bit overwhelming. I was a little puzzled because I had never really noticed a "freeze dried" flavor, and thought it was curious. She did finish her sample, and made the note that some things [MREs] she had tried with us, "She would eat everyday, while others she would eat if circumstances  dictated it." The Beef Stroganoff fell into the circumstance category. Overall, she liked it and would eat it without reservation.

I thought that it had a creamy texture and the noodles were plentiful. The beef bits were a nice change in texture, and the sauce ended up being a pleasant surprise. While it was still a freeze dried meal, it was a big meal in contrast to the usual MRE sizes. This pouch does make a hefty meal, and it's dry weight is only five ounces.

 

Final Thoughts:

The size and calories of this Lurp is greater than the standard MRE. This is a good design feature for this meal as it was intended - long patrols with a lot of calories to be burned and replaced. The sodium content is high, but needs to be replaced in a strenuous situation. The portion is also hefty and would satisfy a big hunger.

After trying this freeze dried meal, we will be putting a #10 can on our wish list for long term food storage. The great thing about freeze dried meals is that if the kids don't like it, we can fix them something else easily. Theoretically, we could have four different freeze dried meals and only have to worry about boiling water for everyone.

Two stars, but we are ordering a big can for home storage and more of these Lurps for our backpacking trips.

Stars: * * ( 2 )