Unique Meals Prisoners Create from Commissary Items

The ingenuity of prisoners in creating meals from commissary items is nothing short of remarkable. These meals, made with limited resources and creative techniques, offer a glimpse into the diverse culinary skills and communal spirit within prison life. Let's explore some of the most popular and innovative dishes made by prisoners using ingredients from the commissary.

Introduction to Commissary Cooking

The commissary is a crucial part of the prison system, providing inmates with a selection of food items for purchase. However, within these constraints, prisoners have developed a wide array of dishes using limited ingredients. The affordability and variety of items available in the commissary often determine which meals inmates enjoy most. Moreover, communal meals are common, helping inmates save money while enhancing their culinary experience.

Popular Meals from the Commissary

With a range of ingredients from the commissary, inmates have developed unique and tasty meals. Here are some of the most common and inventive dishes:

Poor Man's Chips

This delicacy is surprisingly simple yet uniquely delicious. To make Poor Man's Chips, an inmate simply opens a bowl of ramen and consumes the noodles raw. This meal is mentioned here because it is an unusual and unexpected way to enjoy the noodles, highlighting the creativity of prisoners in repurposing basic ingredients.

Pizza

A popular variation of pizza is made by crushing up ramen noodles and placing them in a chip bag, adding just enough water to cook the noodles. Crackers or chips are used to help hold the noodles together, forming a flat crust. After flattening, a razor is used to cut the bag open. Toppings such as tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, or meats can be added, creating a makeshift pizza that, while unconventional, is satisfying and fulfilling.

Prison Burrito

A prison burrito combines ramen noodles with various toppings, including cut-up summer sausage, jalape?os, refried beans, and additional ingredients as desired. The ingredients are placed in a tortilla shell and rolled up like a traditional burrito. This meal is hearty, flavorful, and demonstrates the resourcefulness of inmates in creating satisfying meals with limited resources.

Ramen Soup with Add-Ins

Raman soup is a staple in prison meals, and many inmates enhance it with various add-ins. Common additions include cut-up summer sausage, crackers, and hot sauce, among other ingredients one can afford. The possibilities are endless, leading to a customized and flavorful bowl of soup that caters to individual tastes and preferences.

Conclusion

Prisoners find creative ways to enjoy the limited food options available through the commissary, resulting in dishes that bring both comfort and flavor to their daily lives. From simple snacks like Poor Man's Chips to elaborate creations such as Prison Burritos, these meals showcase the ingenuity and communal spirit of inmates. Understanding these meals not only provides insight into prison life but also celebrates the human spirit of making the best out of challenging circumstances.