5 Long-Lasting Recipes Every Prepper Should Master

The grocery stores have been closed for weeks, and your premade survival meals are dwindling. Soon, you’ll have to break into those buckets of rice, beans, and flour. But do you know how to use these staples to their fullest? Or will you be learning to cook them for the first time when your survival depends on it?

Don’t wait for a crisis to learn how to cook. These five recipes based on long-lasting ingredients will make your food storage a much more enjoyable and reliable experience.

1. Bread Dough: The Ultimate Survival Staple

A basic bread dough is a foundation for all kinds of foods. From this simple recipe, you can make bread, rolls, and even sweet desserts. Learning to make bread will not only provide you with a reliable food source but also boost morale in a stressful situation.

Ingredients

• 6 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of salt
• 2 packets of dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 cup of warm water

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the warm water, dry yeast, and sugar. Let the yeast activate for about 5 minutes.
2. Add the olive oil to the center of the well and slowly begin to mix the flour into the liquid. Continue mixing until a sticky dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead it for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes elastic and smooth. It should no longer stick to your hands.
4. Coat the dough with olive oil, place it in a large bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap. Let it rest in a dry place for at least 10 minutes.
5. Punch the dough down, shape it, and place it in a bread pan. Let it rise for another 10 minutes before baking. You can also divide the dough to make smaller items like rolls.

From this basic dough, you can make focaccia. Simply press the dough into a shallow baking dish coated in olive oil. Dimple the dough with your fingertips, drizzle with more olive oil, and sprinkle with herbs like basil and oregano before baking at 400°F for 20-30 minutes.

2. Pasta Dough: Simple and Versatile

Making fresh pasta is easy and can be a welcome change from simple survival meals. While not necessary, a pasta machine can make the process much easier.

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups of semolina flour
• 1 cup of white flour
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions

1. Place all the flour in a large bowl and create a well in the center. Add the eggs, egg yolk, and olive oil to the well.
2. Mix the wet ingredients with a fork, slowly incorporating the flour until a dough begins to form.
3. Pour the dough onto a clean table and knead it by hand for 5-8 minutes, or until it becomes elastic and smooth.
4. Wrap the dough in a plastic bag and let it rest in the fridge for 20 minutes to an hour.
5. Once rested, quarter the dough and roll it out into thin sheets. You can cut these sheets into any type of pasta, from spaghetti to fettuccine. Boil the pasta in salted water for 3-5 minutes until it is al dente.

From these sheets, you can also make ravioli. Place your favorite filling (like sautéed ground meat) on one pasta circle, brush the edges with an egg wash, and top with another circle. Crimp the edges with a fork, and then you can freeze them or boil them immediately.

3. Tomato Sauce: A Flavorful Foundation

A good tomato sauce is a mother sauce in culinary arts—a base from which many other dishes can be made. It’s also acidic enough to be safely canned using a simple water bath method.

Ingredients

• 1 diced onion
• 5 minced garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes
• 1 16-ounce can of tomato puree
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon each of basil, ground garlic, Italian seasoning, and sugar
• Olive oil

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat a few glugs of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent. Add the red chili flakes.
2. Stir in the canned tomato products, then add the remaining ingredients and a little more olive oil.
3. Simmer on low heat, covered, for at least 20 minutes. For a richer flavor, continue to simmer with the lid off for another 20 minutes or longer.

With this sauce and your bread dough, you can now make a simple but delicious pizza. Roll out your dough, top it with the sauce, and bake at 450°F.

4. Perfect Rice: A Key to Survival

Rice is a staple of long-lasting food storage. The key to making perfect rice is a simple ratio.

Ingredients

• 2 parts water
• 1 part long-grain rice
• Olive oil
• Salt

Instructions

1. Wash your rice under running water at least three times to remove any excess starch and grime.
2. Add two parts water for every one part of rice to a pot. Add a few glugs of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
3. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.

5. Tender Dry Beans

Dry beans are a protein-rich and filling food source that can last for decades.

Instructions

1. Sort your beans to remove any small rocks or unwanted items. Soak them in a container with a lot of extra room, as they will double in volume. Soak overnight, covered with water.
2. Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot. Cover them with water and bring the pot to a simmer.
3. Cook on a slow simmer for about 1-1.5 hours before adding any salt or seasonings. Continue to cook for another two hours, or until the beans are tender. Leave them in the cooking liquid as they cool.

Final Thoughts

Prepping isn’t just about stocking up on food; it’s about knowing how to use it. Don’t wait until you’re desperate to learn how to cook these staple ingredients. Practice now and become a great cook. By mastering these simple recipes, you’ll be able to provide healthy, delicious, and morale-boosting meals for yourself and your family when a crisis hits.

Your survival depends not on how much you have, but on how much you know.