MREInfo.com

It's not often that I am able to enjoy an older MRE in its entirety. Usually, the cause of this is that the entrees don't make it, or even it they do, they usually have a mildly bitter aftertaste. This ration was an exception, and you'll see why shortly. Today I present to you a Meatballs, Beef and Rice in Tomato Sauce MRE produced by Right Away Foods Corporation in 1991. I'm pretty excited, so let's begin.

Front of the MRE, unopened: All the contents laid out: Accessory Packet prior to removing contents: Accessory Packet items laid out: Accessory Packet items flipped: Contents:

• Meatballs, Beef and Rice in Spicy Tomato Sauce entree
• Freeze Dried Peaches
• Crackers
• Tabasco Sauce
• Cherry Beverage Base Powder
• Peanut Butter
• Cookie Bar, Chocolate Covered
• Brown MRE Spoon
• Accessory Packet A

Accessory Packet A Contents:

• 2x Tootsie Rolls
• wet-nap Moist Towlette
• Taster's Choice Coffee
• Domino Sugar
• National Brands non-dairy Creamer
• Iodized Salt
• Matches
• Toilet Paper
• Gum

Since they didn't have the flameless ration heaters when this MRE was produced, I decided to boil this one in hot water.

Here's a look at the entree retort pouch: Coffee, with sugar and creamer added prior to pouring water: The MRE fully prepared: Looks good! The crackers were pretty broken up when I removed them from the packaging. They still tasted alright, but unfortunately this MRE was produced shortly after they phased out the "really good crackers" from the 80s MREs. The peanut butter was also very tasty and I couldn't tell the difference between it and some produced yesterday. The freeze dried fruit and chocolate covered cookie are always welcomed additions to any MRE. I think we can all agree that they should be brought back to modern MREs. The Tootsie Rolls weren't fresh, you could definitely tell that they had some age on them. They weren't as sweet and the chocolate flavor wasn't very pronounced, but they tasted alright regardless. I was nearly stunned and how good the meatballs in tomato sauce tasted. It was smoky with a mild taste of molasses and brown sugar. The fact that it was heated up also really brought it to life. I've had it cold and thought it was alright but I can't recommend heating it up prior to eating enough. There were also very small rice chunks in it, but they were barely noticeable and I don't think they really added much to it. This is another meal they could bring back, I'm sure it would be popular especially since it could be heated up with an FRH.

The cherry drink tasted like standard cherry flavored Kool-Aid. It was tasty but luckily it's something you can buy off the store shelf to this day. And I'm happy to report that it was still powdered and not solidified like so many of these old powdered beverages become. Coffee is also a welcomed addition to the MRE, especially if it's early and you're in need of some caffeine to get the day started. It's late and I drank some, I will probably regret that tonight, but it's a Saturday and I have homework and studying to do so it may actually benefit me.

I have never seen the FD fruit in a white "RCW" type packaging!

Hmm, Yeah I had to do a double take on that one photo too. Seems like a white packaged RCW FD fruit got in there somehow.

I'm starting to see this come about in the more modern MRE's. Not sure if the manufacturers' are just using leftover stock or their trying to go generic.

I remember this entree's from long ago and it was okay. If you had to eat it cold, the tomato sauce kind of tasted like glue. If you could get past that then the Chocolate cookie bar or brownie was the reward.

I had another 1991 MRE of the same menu and it also had the FD fruit in white packaging. I don't know why I forgot to mention that initially. I've also noticed that some things in new rations like hot sauce and the like are being packaged in white, but I don't think they're specifically for the MCWs because the MCW components are all brown and have been for a few years now. Maybe it's just a cost saving measure.

Another fine review Sentient!

Those FD fruits were sometimes in that white packaging. Last time I saw that was with some 93s in 2010.

The flavor of old Tootsie Rolls are .. interesting. They last so long - true apocalypse food.

Wouldn't it be nice if the salted crackers were brought back? Nothing beats salted crackers with apple jelly & PB.

The meaballs sound fantastic. That is one to look out for!

Thank you for sharing another great review with us.