Cooking in a Thermos(TM) Bottle

A few years ago, when I had a site on the now defunct "Themestream" network, I posted all kinds of easy-to-make recipes and cooking tips for my readers. I then started to get requests for recipes that made only one or two servings. These requests came from my senior citizen readers, as well as from others who lived alone. To accommodate these requests, I did add more recipes to my site that made smaller portions of food. And, it seemed like the more "smaller" recipes I posted, the more "Thank" emails I received from my readers. It was then that I realized how many people there are in the world who cook small meals.

At the same time I became interested in the need for cooking small meals, I discovered Thermos bottle cooking. It's a great way for senior citizens- and others who need only one or two servings- to put a hot meal on their table with a minimum amount of fuss. There are many advantages in cooking with a Thermos bottle: It's cheaper than using a range, it doesn't heat up your kitchen, it requires only a small amount of energy, and there are no pots and pans to wash afterwards.

To use this method of cooking, if you don't already own a suitable Thermos bottle, you'll have to purchase at least one. You'll need a well-built bottle that's lined with stainless steel. This type will hold the heat the best. It's unbreakable, which is another plus. It should also hold about one quart of food. The wide mouth containers are the easiest to remove food from. However, the larger mouth means it will lose more heat. So, choose a Thermos that has a small neck. If you want to cook more than one recipe at a time, then you'll need two or more bottles. They are kind of costly to buy, but they'll pay for themselves over and over again!

You'll also need boiling water. Your microwave oven can easily provide that. If your tap water is hot enough, you can skip heating up the water and just get it straight from your faucet. Being that your food will be cooked in boiling water, foods such as rice, pasta, and hot cereals cook the best. This doesn't mean that you are limited to cooking only these foods, however. You can make soups, stews, casseroles, and many other recipes.

An easy casserole to start with is one of my personal favorites, Tuna Macaroni. First, pour 1-1/2 cups of boiling water into your Thermos. Then, carefully pour in 4 tablespoons of dry milk, 2/3 cup of elbow macaroni, 1/4 teaspoon of chicken bouillon, and 1/2 teaspoon of parsley. Place the stopper in your Thermos bottle and tighten it. Shake the container for 20 seconds to mix its contents. Then, lay the bottle on its side. Let it set undisturbed for 15 minutes.

Finally, open your Thermos and mix in one drained can of tuna fish and 1/2 cup canned peas to the bottle. Reseal the container and allow your Tuna Macaroni to finish cooking. When you're ready to eat lunch or dinner, pour the desired amount of Tuna Macaroni into a bowl. Season it to taste with salt and black pepper. Then, enjoy your homemade, economical meal!

Cooking your meals in a Thermos bottle can be handy at home. It can be even handier for making meals while you're camping. Or, if you're going hiking, skiing, or rock climbing, you can just add the ingredients and then go! When lunchtime rolls around, your meal will be hot and ready!