Mizmun Makes: Manna Packs!

Manna Pack!

Okay so my father helped build a house this summer. While building said house he met a man that works with the Feed My Starving Children charity. This man talked about how they had recently developed Manna Packs a fortified rice mixture that also has soy protein in it. Anyway he asked my father if he knew anyone that wanted to help make the mixture more enjoyable to eat as it was rather bland. Long story short I got to make two different recipes with the Manna Packs in an effort to make them more enjoyable. Now, I believe, these Manna Packs are only available in food shelves and only certain ones at that but that does not mean that people cannot use the recipes that I came up with using a different rice mixture (I would recommend a blend of a short or medium grain rice with wild rice and another grain such as millet or grits as it was somewhat thick in consistency). The recipes that I made had the requirement of consisting of products typically donated to a food shelf, pantry essentials, or fairly cheap ingredients. These stipulations were of my own design in an effort to make them as realistically possible for a family with a low food budget to both make and enjoy. I ended up making the recipes with my father because he wanted to try them as well. The two recipes are below and are inspired from the Mediterranean area and Asia. I will include suggestions with each one for different ways to change it and possibly improve it.

The finished dishes in serving bowls.

Top is the Mediterranean style

Bottom is Asian style

Mediterranean style

The aim of the Mediterranean style was to make a dish similar to conventional risottos.

Ingredients:
1/2 white onion ~2/3 cup minced
1 cup carrot minced
4 sprigs parsley ~1/4 cup semi loosely packed
1/8 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp rosemary
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 garlic powder
1/2 tsp chicken base concentrate (about equal to 1 bouillon cube)
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups prepared Manna Pack

Instructions:
Cook Manna Pack rice mix following the instructions on the package
While the Manna Pack rice mix is simmering, Mince 1/2 white onion and 1 cup carrots, Tear 4 sprigs of parsley into 1/4 inch pieces
Saute carrot, onion, parsley, and seasonings in a medium pan over medium heat for 5 minutes or until tender
Add 2 cups manna pack rice mix
Cook an additional 3 min
Serve

Suggestions for the Mediterranean style:
substitute 1/3 of the water used to prepare the Manna Pack with chicken broth
Add 1-2 cups broccoli that has been cut into florets with the stocks minced. Cook with the carrots and onions.
Add 1/2 cup celery cut into 1/2 inch pieces.

Carrots and onions in a bowl minced with a slap chop thing.

Added parsley and seasonings

Saute Time!

1 1/2 cups of the Manna Pack added so far

Finished Product

Asian style

The aim of the Asian style was to be similar to conventional fried rice dishes.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup carrot minced
1 zucchini cut into 1/2 inch pieces ~2 cups
3/4 cup onion sliced
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chicken base concentrate (about equal to 1 bouillon cube)
1 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp oil veg
1 tsp soy sauce
2 cups prepared Manna Pack

Instructions:
Cook Manna Pack rice mix following the instructions on the package
While Manna Pack is simmering, Stir Fry vegetables and seasonings in a large pan over medium heat for 5 minutes
Add in soy sauce cook 2 more minutes
Add 2 cups manna pack rice mix
Cook an additional 3 min
serve

Suggestions for the Asian style:
Substitute the zucchini for fresh vegetables that are on sale (e.g. eggplant, peppers, bok choy, cucumber, etc.)
Add a scrambled egg or two
Add chicken or another meat