Hand Meal

Going by various names. Hand-meals, poor man's meals, survival cooking. These meals are usually known for soldiers, travelers and poor folk who don't normally have access to kitchens. Something that can be thrown into a cloth or knapsack. Using basic ingredients found, scavenged or preserved and a basic fire, bellies can still be filled

Below are a few examples.

Snail Pot

While not the most appetizing name, this dish is considered as both poor man's and survival food. This typically common and very easy dish can be served in its most basic form or served at home.

Literally any small, shelled mollusk found on beaches, streams and rivers, including any snails or crustaceans These are so small that they are considered worthless and untradable on the local market. This meal is usually eaten with bread or other available foods as the snalis alone are not filling enough. However, you eat what you can when you can.

To eat such small food, a small stick, skewer or toothpick is used to pluck out the boiled meat.

• add scrubbed shellfish into a salted boiling pot and serve
• (when served at home) Cook in the same way, adding seasonings, aromatics, mushrooms and serve on a bed of rice
• drizzle with pepper oil

Wild Mushrooms and Eggs

Any edible (non-medicinal) mushroom and egg. Boiled or fried, best paired with any type of bread available.

Wild mushrooms are abundant in Oleryben. Eggs are usually boiled and packed for travel and can be foraged from wild birds. Most families will gladly offer a fresh egg or two for those who are in need of food again usually boiled for easier travel.

At home this dish can be improved with onions, peppers, fresh garden herbs, even sprinkled with a mild cheese. Served on dry toast. A strong black tea is usually favored or a bitter black coffee.