Hamburger Help Her - Military Spec

SECTION 0H323-7N

Hamburger Help Her 

PART  1  GENERAL

1.1     SECTION INCLUDES

A.       Nutritional admixture for protein and pasta

B.       Use recommendations for usage of completed admixture

C.       Cheese applications

D.       Sauce and Seasoning packet entry and introduction

E.       The work of this section applies to protein and pasta in the following locations:

1.       Packed office worker lunch

2.       Packed lunch of minor sibling of prospective spouse

3.       Hot meal served in desperate attempt

4.       Leftover eating

5.       Meals on moving day

1.2     RELATED SECTIONS

A.       Section 0H323-7 – Dry Pasta:  Pasta acquisition and use

B.       Section 0F013-3B - Beef:  Why it’s what’s for Lunch

C.       Section 0A001-A1 – Why bad food happens to good people

1.3     REFERENCES

A.       NPA 1207.2 – Dry Pasta

B.       NPA 1222.4 – Fresh Pasta

C.       USDA MC6 – Macaroni and Cheese for use in domestic programs

D.       ASTM J 39/C 39LM - Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Elbow Macaroni

E.       ASTM J 309J 74W - Standard Specification for Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds for Dry Pasta Sauce Generation

F.       ASTM X 666 - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Date to Alcohol

G.      COJ CRD-C 56 - Standard Test Method for Water Permeability of White Blouse

H.       NSFW 61 – Pictographic Symbolic Representation of Ex-GirlFriend

1.4     SUBMITTALS

A.       Submit only when Quality Assurance test measures have been accomplished and you have washed your hands and changed out of your mom’s old Kitchen apron.

Addenda: Didn’t we tell you to get rid of that thing?

B.       Product Data:  Manufacturer's data sheets on each product to be used, including:

1.       Preparation instructions and recommendations.

2.       Storage and handling requirements and recommendations.

3.       Installation methods.

C.       Manufacturer's Certificates: Certify products meet or exceed specified requirements.

1.5     QUALITY ASSURANCE

A.      Taste and Aroma Testing: As you work, taste and smell what you are cooking up, always. Because we warn you, if it smells bad it almost always is bad. This principal has broad application and only very minor exceptions.

B.      Installer Qualifications: We know what you want to install, but you are just working up to the conversation, so cool it.

C.      Pre-installation Meeting:  Before you serve these meager rations, you need to prepare the receiver. Stipulate that you had no other food because you gave it all to the waif orphan that came to the door just before she arrived.  Also this might be a good time to say you are off your game today in the kitchen and maybe set a small bouquet of flowers on the table.

1.6     DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A.      Deliver materials in manufacturer's original, unopened, undamaged containers with identification labels intact. Scratch that, hide the dam box.  She will know, and you will know, but if you manage to charm her with the tacky apron and the flowers you stole from the neighbor lady, don’t rub her face in it by leaving the box out in plain site.

B.      Store materials protected from exposure to harmful weather conditions and at temperature conditions recommended by manufacturer. i.e. don’t store boxes of Hamburger Helper in the shower, under the bathroom sink or in your sock drawer. In fact we are not sure you shouldn’t just take that whole drawer out to the recycle bin and start over. Socks and all.

1.7     PROJECT CONDITIONS

A.      Maintain environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, and ventilation) within limits recommended by manufacturer for optimum results.  Do not prepare products under environmental conditions outside manufacturer's absolute limits.

1.8     WARRANTY

A.      The product shall have a shelf life of at least one year from date of manufacturer. Product shall not be manufactured more than 45 days prior to shipping. Frankly, if the box has not gone soggy with mildew, we’re pretty sure it’s fine, just go ahead and cook it an extra minute or so, the idea being that pasta and chemical seasonings “go bad” is just good marketing. Just ask the next Cougar you see about shelf life.

1.9     EXTRA MATERIALS

A.      See Section 0HN120085.2 - Product Requirements, for additional provisions.

B.      Section 0HN120085.2 – Everyone thinks they have extra material, but usually it is only Brunettes.

PART  2  PRODUCTS

2.1     MANUFACTURERS

A.      Betty Crocker, Suizie Microwave, Rebecca Fire Pit or other approved provider

B.      Substitutions:  Not permitted.

C.      Requests for substitutions will be considered in accordance with provisions of Section 01600.

D.      Section 01600 Didn’t I say no substitutions.

2.2     MATERIALS

A.      Fresh Tomato to add a bit of realism to this disaster you have been brewing

B.      1 pound ground beef, not the extra lean crap, get the ground steak if you can find it

C.      Extra Cheddar Cheese for a bump of cheesy goodness

D.      The meat shall conform to the applicable provisions of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Regulations (9 CFR Parts 301 to 350).  Noncarcass components (e.g., cheek meat, head meat, ox tails, esophagus, hearts, elbows, assholes and similar by-products, also known collectively as “offal”) shall not be used.

E.    The pasta delivered in the Betty Crocker 5.80 ounce box shall meet the requirements as specified in the Commercial Item Description for Pasta Products, Enriched (CID) A-A-20062D, except for the following:

1) Only Semolina flour shall be used

2) Only enriched elbow style macaroni shall be used

3) Size of elbow style macaroni shall be:

a)            Thickness                                  0.0034 inch to 0.057 inch

b)            Diameter                                    0.190 inch to 0.220 inch

c) Length (outer Curvilinear)                        1/4 inch to 1/2 inch

2.3     Potable Water Contact Approval:  NSF certification for use in preparations requiring potable water, based on testing in accordance with NSF 61.

A.       One medium sized frying pan containing 1 cup Potable Water, with well-fitting cover.

1.       Coverage:  full pot circumference

PART  3  EXECUTION

3.1     PASTA MIXING AND PLACING

A.       Comply with requirements of Section 03300.

B.       Make and test trial mixes under project conditions to determine dosage rate.

C.       Add extra cheese and fresh tomato near end of heating transfer, otherwise following manufacturer's instructions.

D.       Heat ground beef in pan, stirring to break up chunks.

E.       Drain fat from frying pan after beef has browned.

F.       Stir in 1 cup hot water

G.       Add admixture elements, 2 cups milk, sauce packet contents and uncooked pasta

H.       Reduce heat to medium low and cover to simmer roughly 10 minutes

I.        Stir occasionally

J.       Cook until pasta is al dente, remove from heat

K.      Add admixture extras here

L.       Sauce will thicken, so don’t waste your time.

3.2     SECTION 03300

A.      Dress this homely dish by browning a half of a small onion chopped fine in butter before adding the ground beef

B.      A handful of mushrooms wouldn’t go wrong either, add those in when the onions just start to look clear, and let the mushrooms shrink down, as they will.

C.      Cut open a single clove of garlic on the fat end, rub that around on the bottom of the pan before you add the onion and mushroom.

D.      Add four (4) shakes of oregano or two small finger pinches to the ground beef just as it starts to sizzle

E.      Grind some fresh black pepper over the beef as it cooks and stir it in

F.      After you plate, give the pasta and meat a short grind of the good pink sea salt, not very much, as that sauce packet has enough salt to kill a seaman.

G.      Before you even start down this road, consider how close Lent is, maybe you could sell her on the idea that you think the two of you should give up dinner for the day in preparation for the coming religious holiday.

END OF SECTION

Master Class - LA Times articles by great chefs like Thomas Keller

The Los Angeles Time has a great series of articles called "Master Class" which includes writing by such great chef's as Thomas Keller on seasoning and brining, Nancy Silverton on focaccia, Tom Colicchio on using vinaigrette as a braising liquid, and Sang Yoon on how to kick catsup into an experience. 

Thomas Keller on Seasoning

Nancy Silverton on Focacia

Tom Colicchio on Vinaigrette

Sang Yoon on Catsup

Check out Tom's Google+ profile

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Military Recipe April 1957 - Shit on a Shingle (SOS)

Repost of a classic Man Meets Stove recipe:

Be sure and get your carcass ready.....

TM 10-412-1
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY TECHNICAL MANUAL
ARMY RECIPES

(MEAT, POULTRY,
FISH, GRAVIES, SAUCES,
AND DRESSING)
 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY  -  APRIL 1957

NO. A-34 CREAMED GROUND BEEF ON TOAST

            100 Servings
            1 cup each
            Preparation and cooking time: about 11/4 hours

BEEF, CARCASS...................35 POUNDS
Cut in pieces and grind (FINE).

OR
BEEF, BONELESS,
      GROUND (FINE).............24 POUNDS
Brown beef in its own fat in roasting pans on top of range.
Remove excess fat during cooking period.

ONIONS, DRY,
      CHOPPED (FINE).............1 POUND……....…3/4 QUART
SALT………………..………..5 OUNCES…….......1/2 CUP
PEPPER, BLACK……...……1/4 OUNCE….......….1 TABLESPOON
BAY LEAF…………………………………….........1 LEAF
Add onions and seasoning and mix thoroughly.

MILK, EVAPORATED………………………..........2 GALLONS
(WATER FOR MILK)………........…………………2 GALLONS
Add 3 gallons of milk to beef mixture and heat to simmering, stir-
      ring frequently

FLOUR, WHEAT, HARD.…...2 POUNDS……........1 ¾ QUARTS
Mix flour with the remaining gallon of milk and stir into hot mix-
      ture.
Bring to a boil, stirring steadily, reduce heat and simmer until
      thickened.

TOAST…………………………………………........100 SLICES
Serve on toast.

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Sushi Cupcakes!

A Facebook friend of Jim's, Jen Kimura, posted that she was preparing for her mom's "Cupcake Wars Party" and then shortly thereafter started posting these terrific pictures of cupcakes made to look like sushi in a bento box! 

Jim asked her about them and she was gracious enough to tell us:

"I saw some posts about rice crispy sushi, but that was gross to me. And using coconut shavings was just too much coconut, so these are white jimmies/sprinkles- and much more rice-like. The decorations are shaped "Now and Later" candies, cut up gummy worms, and "Swedish Fish" candies. Some people use green "Fruit by the Foot" for the nori [sushi seaweed wrapper]. But its hard to find THAT MUCH solid green Fruit by the Foot. So I use black/ dark brown wrappers- which are not gross and sticky when you handle them - unlike Fruit by the Foot.

When I'm lazy I use remade pillsbury classic white mix and pillsbury whipped white frosting. When I'm not lazy I use Magnolia Bakery's Vanilla Cupcake and Buttercream recipe.

They are packed in sushi bento boxes because it's easier to transport and cuter. Because they are in the boxes, I make the mini cupcakes. Also, regular sized cupcakes are not properly proportioned. The Ginger is Now and Laters, the wasabi is green frosting, the soy
sauce is chocolate syrup.  Hope that helps!"

It sure does Jen.  Thanks so much for sharing your skillz with us!

Jen got her decorations at Classic Cake Decorations in Garden Grove, California.

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Centrifuge in the kitchen? Two words: Pea butter

Just when you though cooking was a finished art...out comes a cookbook that changes everything...for $625 (ouch!).  

Nathan Myhrvold has spent his Microsoft money working on a cookbook for "Modernist Cuisine", cooking using chemicals, strange machines like centrifuges to spin ingredients into their separate parts, and so on.  

We have GOT to get our mitts on some pea butter...

Link

Image: a bagel shot and pea butter, photographed by Paul Adams for Popular Science.

How to turn a Tenderloin into Filet Minon steaks!

Dilbert wears gloves while cutting Jalapenos. Must read LOL.

Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) on cutting Jalapeno peppers:

"A few minutes passed, and I felt a tingle in my left hand - the one that directly handled the peppers. The tingle turned into a warm sensation, and the warmth turned into...well, this will take some explaining.

Imagine turning a broom upside down, so the pointy bristles are facing up. You take your hand, palm facing down, and bounce it on the pointy bristles. Can you imagine how uncomfortable that feels on your hand? Okay, good.

Now imagine that a giant troll sees you playing with the broom. He snatches it out of your hand, chews the handle into a point and shoves it so far up your ass that you can taste it. Then he uses you like a huge flyswatter to kill a nest of porcupines that are living in his salt mine. My hand hurt like that."

Story here

Study finds sight of meat makes men less aggresive!

Beware the vegetarians!

Source

Cook a turkey in 45 Minutes!

XKCD is Genius