My dad was the cook when he was stationed in the Philippines. He said the Army had a hard time distributing food rations evenly and on time.  It was Thanksgiving and he had nothing to fix the 50 men for a special Thanks Giving meal. 

He went to the locals and purchased a few chickens and roosters as he was determined to fix something special.

When he got back the rations truck was there. He was happy about that; but he was unhappy because all they delivered him was one turkey and 50 pounds of flour. Dad went back into the kitchen and slaughtered the chickens and prepped them for cooking.  He took the flour and made homemade bread and rolls.

The Army issues biscuits in a can called Hard Tack. They taste okay we ate them once when I was little. The ones I ate were round and in a round can. I wanted to see how they tasted. Part of the food delivery and a lot of what they had was Hard Tack.

 

Dad then took hard tack which are thick and hard biscuits and used that to make stuffing for the one turkey he had...he took the chickens and deboned them and added that to the stuffing to. That way everyone would have a little bit of meat in their meal.

Sweet potatoes grew everywhere so he had a bunch of them boiled and made candid sweet potatoes to serve. He said he had to use candy to make it sweet because they had no sugar. I am going to have to ask more about how he turned candy back into sugar.

When all was said and done he had made the one baked turkey, dressing with chicken, candied sweet potatoes. I am sure he must have had some kind of greens there too. But he did not relay that info. I am going to have to ask him about that since writing this post I have become curious.

It wasn't much but it was the best he could do with what he had. He said by the time all the meal was cooked all the men were lined up and jostling each other to get some food. It seems that the smell of fresh bread had drifted and wafted throughout  the camp and everyone was starving all at one time.

As you can imagine not everyone had a slice of turkey but they had their fill of everything else.

  Sussie Says…

Representing Buyers and Sellers in Friendswood, Clear Lake, Pearland, Webster, City of League City, and the Houston Bay Area.

Call 713-822-1655.

 

  

                                          

 

 
Posted by Sussie Sutton on 02/04/2011 11:45 PM   Comments (13)  
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13 Comments on HARD TACK AND SHREDDED CHICKEN

FEB
04
2011
5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I remember the old C Rations Sussie. We had round cans with crackers and all sorts of canned meat. Of course, that's not the same thing you describe as Hard Tack. It's all good though!
11:54pm • #1
Called Shot Master

Wow.  Your Dad is something special.
11:59pm • #2
FEB
05
2011
395,299 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Sussie, I think your dad was amazing. I certainly didn't have any cooks who cared that much while I was in the Army.
12:07am • #3
151,106 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sussie,

That is such a wonderful story about your Dad and the lengths he went to take care of his men. You must be very proud of him. Thank you!
1:29am • #4
466,119 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

CLARK: That picture of the hard tack was the only thing I find that resembled what dad gave me to taste. I am sure he had the rounds ones to cook with. I am going to ask him. And Clark....this is going to make you gag....but I still love SPAM!!!

Chris: he is something special... and he did care about the men he was stationed with. I think all most all men of that era were special...people back then cared about each other. Sadly I don't think that is the thing any more. We are all too concerned about ourselves and what everyone else owes us...In any case that is what I see in most 30-somethings these days.

John and Gary:I think all his guys called him "Pinky" and I truly believe they all liked him. He has many stories... I really should write a book. I need more info out of him.

There are a lot of stories my dad refueses to tell me. He told me he was only going to tell the boys those (my brothers). I know those are the stories that are bad and are still with him and not in a good way. I am going to try and get them out of him anyway.

 

 
1:40am • #5
289,689 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

wow, what a great story.  It's these types of stories passed from generation to generation that relay the true hardships that help us understand the kinship that is formed from this life experience.
1:59am • #6
289,689 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

wow, what a great story.  It's these types of stories passed from generation to generation that relay the true hardships that help us understand the kinship that is formed from this life experience.
1:59am • #7
644,281 Points 111 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I guess you could say that was your Dad's "2 fish and 5 loaves of bread" moment.
6:03am • #8
544,692 Points 120 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Sussie:  This is a story of Necessity being the Mother of Invention.  Good for your dad and what a wonderful way to make a turkey stretch for 50 people.  Imagine!!!!
7:10am • #9
1,098,665 Points 94 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sussie,

Thanks for sharing a wonderful story about your Dad. I've had many a meal in the Army where I wasn't quite sure what it was I was eating. "Mystery Meat" was served frequently.

Rich
7:38am • #10
466,119 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Charita:  WOW! That was what I almost named this post!

Kate: Humans will always find a way to get things done.

Valerie: You know I think we have all been there at one time or another!

Richard: I know what Mystery Meat is..... are you ready???....  It is monkey meat!
9:53am • #11
356,724 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I love this story, Sussie! You have the most interesting stories about your family. And, yes! You should write a book!
11:12am • #12
561,238 Points 11 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Your dad sounds like a wonderful man... I'm sure you have tons of memories like that... Those type of meals and days are really special!! Now days, I know what it means when people say "the good ole days"..
12:03pm • #13


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