I brought a packet of ramen noodles that would traditionally be prepared in a pan filled with boiling water. There was a microwave oven in the room so I could have used a coffee cup to heat water into which the ramen noodles could have been added but in this case I chose to use the coffee maker to cook the ramen noodles instead.

It was a four cup model that worked out quite well. I filled the coffee pot with about three and a half cups of water and poured it into the water reservoir. Before I opened the ramen noodle package I crushed it’s contents inside so that all of the broken bits would be contained. Then I opened it and emptied it along with the flavor pack contents into the coffee pot. I replaced the lid and put the coffee pot into the machine and turned it on. The heated water empties into the pot from above while the warmer plate keeps the contents hot from beneath. After the water finished processing I let the pot remain in place for about ten minutes which allowed the noodles to hydrate and plump up.

After the short wait I removed the pot and it’s lid and began to eat right out of the pot with a spork (a favored culinary utensil). I was delighted with the result. I imagine that other dehydrated food could be cooked this way as well. After consuming the meal I washed the pot out with soap and water as it is a vessel to “pour from”, not “eat out of” so the next user would have no concerns over sanitation. I would love to hear comments of your improvized cooking on the road.

During the Great Depression it was common for folks to put a small amount of ketchup in a cup and add hot water to make ketchup soup. When possible, they would add cream or milk to make it more palatable and nutritious.

Most college students know that an 18 cent Top Ramen package can provide a variety of meals through different combinations – the noodles can be eaten uncooked with a texture similar to popcorn, the flavor packet can be added to hot water to make a broth, or you can combine them both as originally intended.

Recently I was stuck in a situation where no food or coffee was available but there was a hot water spout on a coffee brewer. I had some breath mints so I placed one in a cup and added hot water to it. I let it steep for about 10 minutes and ended up with a suitably satisfying beverage.

I’m sure that there are readers who have extensive experience in this field and I would like to invite your comments so that we can all learn more ways to be nourished and comforted in a stranded or desperate situation.