Exploring LSS Retort Pouch Meals: A Taste of Jordan at IDEX Expo

At the IDEX expo, several LSS retort pouch main meals from Jordan were showcased, including the Kufta Meat With Tahini and Mandi Rice With Chicken. These meals are Halal-certified and cater to diverse tastes while emphasizing traditional cooking methods. This article also hints at upcoming reviews of other international rations.

Last month, during the IDEX expo in Abu Dhabi, I had the opportunity to acquire several main meal retort pouches from Loyalty Support Services (LSS) of Jordan. These pouches serve as alternatives to traditional meal trays. At previous expos, samples were not available, making this acquisition notable, as I was able to try LSS Kufta Meat With Tahini, a dish I have enjoyed before in its self-heating version.

The retort pouch meals produced by LSS reflect the variety found in their meal trays, offering Middle Eastern and international cuisine, all of which are Halal-certified where applicable. This makes these meals suitable for incorporation into LSS Humanitarian Ration packs targeting Muslim populations. I personally relish Middle Eastern cuisine and sought out an Iranian restaurant in Abu Dhabi, having missed the culinary experiences from my frequent visits to a Persian establishment in London before the pandemic.

An LSS ‘With Chicken’ main meal weighs 250g and offers approximately 320-450 kcal, depending on the specific meal type. The missing calories are accounted for by the accompaniments, paralleling typical civilian meal servings. Among the retort pouches I received were Mandi Rice With Chicken, Freekeh With Chicken, and Kabseh Rice With Chicken. Other offerings include Machbous Rice With Chicken and vegetarian options, as well as dishes featuring lamb, veal, and fish.

To evaluate the Mandi Rice With Chicken, I heated the pouch by simmering it for eight minutes, subsequently transferring the contents to a Wildo CAMP-A-BOX bowl for presentation. As anticipated, the dish was rich in flavor. Mandi, a renowned Yemeni dish, is traditionally slow-cooked with charcoal, where the meat is first boiled in spices and then cooked above the rice, allowing for a delicious incorporation of flavors.

The Kufta Meat With Tahini tray meal was prepared similarly, either by boiling or using a mess tin over a fuel tablet cooker. This dish was also delectable, typically served with flatbread instead of rice. Made from ground sesame, tahini imparts a unique flavor to the dish. The meal contained veal Kufta and boiled potato chunks while weighing 200g and supplying 590 kcal.

Currently, I do not have any trips planned for the Middle East until later this year, although there is a potential assignment in Jordan during the summer, depending on other commitments. Therefore, I have reserved the Freekeh and Kabseh retort pouches as treats for a future occasion.

In my upcoming Rations feature, I will review some of the latest German and Estonian freeze-dried meal pouches from Tactical Foodpack, which I procured at the Enforce Tac event last month. Additionally, I have Norwegian Arctic, German EPa, and American MRE ration packs that my colleague Carl Schulze collected during recent exercises.

The overview presented at the IDEX expo highlights the innovative offerings from Loyalty Support Services, emphasizing their Halal-certified retort pouches that cater to diverse consumer preferences. The combination of traditional cooking methods and modern packaging ensures that the rich flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine remain accessible. This exploration into LSS meals also sets the stage for future reviews on various international ration packs.

Original Source: www.joint-forces.com