IMP 14 Hamburger

[BlackDogBob]

Well guys, this is my third review of an IMP, and will probably be my last IMP review for awhile as I am really anxious to dig into the German, British, Spanish, Russian, and French rations. Besides, all I have left of the IMPs is breakfast and beans and wieners. So, yea. Gonna hold off on those for a wee bit.

This review is of the IMP 14 Menu #7, the Hamburger. Before I begin, let me just say that I fully intend to get a lot more of the IMP 14s. This one did NOT disappointment. I will edit the video tonight and get it up on YouTube, but in the interim, I really prefer the written reviews, so they come first.

After opening the IMP, I was very happy to see some more peanut butter. The peanut butter in these IMPs tastes just like Jiffy. It's rich, creamy, and sweet. A real pleasure to eat. I will admit that I was just a little dismayed that it did not contain any raspberry jam though. That stuff is the REAL deal. The other thing that I enjoy about the IMPs is the way they put the boxed items on the outer edges and pack everything else in the middle. This keeps things like M&Ms and Reese's Pieces from getting broken and mushed together.

So I cheated again, not with a microwave this time (cardinal sin) but I did use a FRH. Why not right? I have several dozen of them laying around so I might as well use them. While the main was heating up, I tried the Bean Salad. I am not a big fan of vinegar OR beans, but wow! This had some serious awesome in it! It was a mixture of red beans, kidney beans, white beans, red bell peppers and corn all mixed together with herbs and a balsamic vinegar sauce. The face doesn't lie guys! When you watch the video, you can see the joy on my face when I took my first bite. My taste buds are still asking for more and that was a couple hours ago.

This time, instead of a Nescafé 3 in 1 and a tea bag, the IMP contained a Nescafé Vanilla Cappacino and a pack of instant Espresso. It was a real treat from the ordinary instant coffee in other rations. Even though I used WAY too much water in the Cappacino, it was still creamy and sweet with a bold vanilla flavor. After I finished the video review, I sat back in the shade with the vanilla Cappacino and a Marlboro light and took a few moments to just relax and appreciate the tranquility. I normally don't go for instant coffee, but if I see some of that stuff in the grocery store, I will be picking some up. The down side was that it did not have directions in English on the Cappacino. It was French and what looked to be Eastern European. In the future, I will put it in the cup first then add the water.

Did I mention the Reese's pieces? They were just as fresh as if I had bought them at a grocery store on my way home. Out of the whole bag there were only 3 or 4 that had broken in half. Nothing like what you get in a U.S. MRE.

I have to apologize here, before talking about the main. Words just simply are not enough to describe how much I enjoyed it. So please understand that no matter what I say, I cannot fully explain in words the texture, the taste, the freshness, the wonderment that was this hamburger. You're probably thinking, "dude, it's just a burger, how good could it be?" Well, take a moment and clear your mind. Now picture yourself adrift in a lifeboat on the open sea. It's been 8 days since your boat sunk and you haven't had anything but two raw fish to sustain you. You realize that you are about to die of starvation any day. With cracked and parched throat and lips, you can only imagine how much a burger would please you. Then, suddenly out of nowhere, a whopper with cheese falls from the heavens! As the clouds part and the Angels begin to sing you take your first bite of that burger. Now realize that the burger in that scenario tastes like saw dust compared to the one I just ate a few hours ago in the Canadian IMP 14 Meal #7! It literally tasted like it had just come off the grill in my backyard. It had a wood smoked grill flavor to it mixed with black pepper and some other savory spice. It was moist and juicy like only your dad could make it on the 4th of July. I felt like I was cheating myself when I put it on the bun with the ketchup, as if I was stealing some of the flavor away and replacing it with ketchup. Man, that burger was GREAT! After I turned off the camera, I pulled the TWO patties off the bun and just enjoyed them. I mean, they were really good!

All in all, I really enjoyed this IMP. Not as much as the Veal Cutlets in Mushroom Sauce, but far more than the Shepherds pie. As always, I had a few items left over. I have put them into my Get Home Bag so the next time I am in the woods, I can pull them out and enjoy them. I'm pretty sure that the instant espresso will be a welcome treat on the 3rd or 4th morning in the woods.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this review. I know I enjoyed making it. Pics are below!

[kman]

Great review, Bob. You have me drooling over one of those IMP hamburgers. Now I just have to stop imaging myself being adrift at sea before I start losing my dinner...

[parafireboy]

Great review Bob! Those IMPs have a great reputation. I'm looking forward to digging into my first one this spring on the inaugural camping trip.

[Ruleryak]

Really enjoying your reviews man, thanks for posting. I wasn't expecting the bean salad to go over so well, very interesting to hear it was that good! Double burger patties and actual hamburger buns. How are the Canadians beating the US at producing a hamburger ration?

[BlackDogBob]

Really enjoying your reviews man, thanks for posting. I wasn't expecting the bean salad to go over so well, very interesting to hear it was that good! Double burger patties and actual hamburger buns. How are the Canadians beating the US at producing a hamburger ration?

I don't really know brother. My only hope is that when the pizza MRE comes out it will be just as good. But after 3 IMPs, I just don't think it's possible.

[BlackDogBob]

And here's the video. Sorry for the head turns. I was a little ADHD today. Haha.

[housil]

Wow, a whole burger out of a ration!

[[ex-Member1]]

The down side was that it did not have directions in English on the Cappacino. It was French and what looked to be Eastern European. In the future, I will put it in the cup first then add the water.

I always put cappuccino and sugar first then I add water. It easily could be one of the Slavic languages it looks the same as the one I drink, only I like the Irish over Vanilla or any other taste.



For the future reference try using 150 ml of hot boiling water.

[BlackDogBob]

Awesome! Thanks Asger!

[sourwes]

Awesome review BDB! Feel like I was doin the review! Never heard such an in depth review on just the coffee...