Civil War Camp Food Skillygalee

[@joelarson3528]

You know it isn’t good I’ve seen Dave eat over the years and if he likes it he definitely says oh man at least 10 times

[@shadomane]

lol

[@stevenlatino111]

Really enjoying all of the cooking videos, keep em coming!

[@Tadicuslegion78]

This is one of those random Civil war facts I know about the food, when Joe Hooker took over command of the Army of the Potomac, one of the first things he did to improve morale which was at rock bottom was improve the commissary system to get more fresh food, vegetables, soft bread, and higher cooking standards and better sanitation standards.

[@robertbates6057]

Yeah, VERY smart of him! The way things were going, defeat looked pretty eminent at that time. The Rebels were struggling for food and coffee but damn them boys could fight! (lesson to not be forgotten) BTW, my GG Grandfather was 16th IL but I love history. The more you study the Civil War, the more human decision making plays a role.

[@matthewsones5287]

By robbing innocent people of their food…

[@richbuilds_com]

You could add anything you found, the odd wild onion, an egg, a potato etc. It's a solid protein/carbohydrate base to build off, and you could make a batch in the morning to reheat quickly throughout the day.

[@alexanderhagmanwilberg640]

Hello from Norway. In the older days, many people from here used to make something very similar called "duving", and they would add brown cheese and honey. Thanks for the video 👍

[@ianmurray4081]

In east coast Canada, especially Nfld. They have a hard tack based fish based dish called fish & brewis (brews).

[@shadomane]

That was a great scene with the cat getting into the fry pan while still cooking. He 's just try to help ya out Dave. That was an interesting recipe. I like the idea of adding some brown sugar to it, brown sugar is easy to carry. Adding some wild greens might be good or even some berries. Thanks for the video and for sharing.

[@beowulfshaeffer8444]

Thanks for doing these cooking videos! Very useful to see examples of how preserved food can be made into a good meal :)

[@asmith7876]

The photo-bombing cat is hilarious! I bet that tastes better than the dehydrated beef or pork patties that came in the early MRE's. As others have mentioned I can only assume they used their superior knowledge of native plants to supplement the diet for proper nutrition. Loving the series. The rain, not so much but it's good for the garden.

[@jondavey8054]

Two points on this Dave, firstly soaking the hardtack removes the salt. There is an old Gypsy dish similar called “Joey Grey” with onions and mushrooms. The European Romany gypsies had many open fire recipes still in use today.

[@annemarie8483]

Onions would have been a good addition. I was trying to think what they may have had access to and onion was one, or apples cut up small.

[@nikosfilipino]

On the hardtack and hellfire stew episode of Tasting History with Mac Miller he quotes that if fire was unavailable, hardtack was eaten in the raw state with a sliver of pork fat and a spoonful of brown sugar. He has several links in the description which should lead you to a reference of sorts

[@jr-a-cat]

Dave your cat is the same as mine loves bacon food of the gods . Thanks for the video

[@johnburgin7478]

My kind of content. Rustic cooking / food and history. A little rain in the background for ambiance. Thanks for sharing it . Have a great day

[@Mr.Matchingsocks]

That cat loves the spotlight 😆

[@johnleonard4261]

I just love your curious cat, a definite personality

[@larryhill1192]

That cat is beoming quite the character on these food videos he's very hungry boy

[@blackhatbushcraft]

That actually looked pretty good with the bacon! I think your idea with the molasses would have been golden! I haven't found a local source around me for that salt cured bacon, I am curious where yours comes from. Thank you again for the shout out brother!

[@touringandtrails]

Brother Dave your best fan is that cat! They would have starved to death without bacon. Hard times are on the horizon, thank you Sir for sharing. Fortune favors the prepared!

[@visnuexe]

I was quite impressed with this ready fast food Civil War meal. No wonder we Americans herd toward fast food! I would imagine adding any foraged wild onions, apples, pears, or as someone from Europe suggested, mushrooms would make this quite the substantive meal! If the hard tack is cooked at a low enough temperature one could make it in a solar oven. I'll have to check! Thank you! Both sides of my family served in the Civil War, on opposite sides, even! LOL!

[@matthewsones5287]

I think the cat is enjoying these cooking videos as much as we are if not more!

[@Grunttamer]

Love the cat inspecting your cooking

[@KaliCush]

My cat and pup does the same thing whenever I cook outdoors lol

[@Necron-ez2cc]

I reenacted for about a decade and ate just about every camp kit dish of the time. Skillygally can actually be made quite palatable with some fine tuning.

[@VbandVet]

It's not that I don't like all the content t on here, it's that I love history and food so these are my fave!

[@AsgaardGuard]

I can tell from the cat's behaviour and body language that he trusts you deeply! Cat's are a good judge of character, he's given you his paw of approval 😺

[@REAPERMILITIAOUTDOORS]

I think Zon is becoming the star of the show lol.

[@debbiedawsonpeterdawson3251]

Great show. Love your co host. All the best .

[@jeffreyrobinson3555]

Taste is taste, but I like this, I find it a good meal. I’ll eat lobscose too. And hard tack pudding real good. Smash up your hard tack, mix with butter, fold in som raisins, season with a little sugar and nutmeg or cinnamon, roll in to little balls and boil about an hour. Good eats😀

[@ianmurray4081]

Awesome video and a wonderful assistant! It’s cooking with Dave and Cat 🐱.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

I don't know when you started a cooking show but I'm all in for this kinda thing.

[@mattbranson9489]

I’ve made this a few times at work towards the end of the week when that was what’s left of the chow but I added a little shaving off the chunk of brown sugar and carrots if I had them it’s not horrible and when you’re hungry it’ll keep the belt snug around your middle especially after a day of running from tree to tree falling timber in the back country you’re going to be wanting some rib sticking chow

[@KillaB623]

You rock Dave, thanks for sharing as always! That rain on the roof is relaxing

[@peterott9162]

Dave these cooking videos are awesome, I really enjoy watching them. I've done something similar to this by cooking broken up bread and bacon, not realizing that it was a Civil War meal...I thought that was pretty cool.

[@guycalgary7800]

Wrap your hard tac in a rag and smash it to crumbs , the rag keeps it clean and less loss. The hard tac can be used as more of a thickener . Add some coffee (red eye gravy).

[@TheBigLeeg]

Depending on the season ! I can see adding dandelion , fiddlehead, or other wild greens and flower to the mix.

[@richbuilds_com]

Another vote for these cooking videos too. Good stuff. Especially the old school stuff.

[@Stinger9516]

😂 your cat is awesome. I’m not a cat person but the things your cat does is cool

[@DavidSmith-ni7ow]

America First 🇺🇸

[@Gatman0311]

You’re an American Treasure, Dave. Keep being yourself sir we love you

[@scottwatson1686]

Cook sloush. It's corn meal, bacon grease made into a dough and cooked on your musket ramrod. Tasty. Tried it myself during my 25 years a civil war reenactor.

[@danielsneed3235]

Stubborn cat, little fella was just making sure it was good to eat

[@11broomstickk]

I’d love to see more historical food like this, maybe a mountain man era recipe.

[@gregwatruba4541]

One way to get some of the salt out of the bacon is to pour about a cup of water in the pan with the bacon bring to a boil and pour out the water a finish frying the bacon.

[@bigfootlakewood380]

Love when the cat stops by

[@RedDawn1324]

Reminds me of prison food. You learn to be creative with what you got inside.

[@haroldmiller6853]

Definitely looks to be a very filling meal thanks for sharing

[@gabrielbaxley6295]

If the confeserate soldier had time they would soak the bacon. Sorghum was more available than molasses...later on the war mid of 62-64 any sugar items was hard to come by.

[@sosayweall7290]

One of those videos where you reckon Dave doesn't really doesn't like what he's eating. But he offers alternatives with suggestions on flavours etc.

[@KH2837]

Ive been wanting to make hard tac..I need to get some salt pork for my hiking/ backpacking trips too! Thanks for sharing..

[@pedestrian0101]

Camp cat was helping out. Also ill need to try this, thank you!

[@michaelwood8759]

I would be un-loading C-5's and breaking down the skids and putting them on the Helo's and the Local's would bring me Breakfast! Hard Tac and "Whatever" they had for that day! LOL

[@earlhayes2969]

Cats a Smoke eater Dam Love the series Dave Thanks

[@brittburton3264]

Hi Dave, thanks for these Civil War dishes. It is interesting to see what soldiers back in the day would eat. I would love to see other dishes if you know of others from that time period and earlier

[@kellywelch3]

Dad was in the Army in the early 50's. They still had hardtack then! He told me you could put one out in the rain for a while and it would swell up to about 4x it's size. Then you could eat it. He said it would really fill you up then.

[@Krakology]

i could watch dave cooking show everyday

[@robertweldon7909]

Dave, Both of us, having been in the military, know that "field" conditions were rarely right to prepare meals, and is also similar to old west cattle drives. The military was "mostly" only interested in providing NOURISHMENT, so the fighting ability was maintained. Some of the worst food I have ever eaten was in the military, and I was in the Navy. Preparations, like this, can and should be considered SURVIVAL food. Ya, I would add some sort of sweetener, salt pork is very, very salty. I don't know a lot of history, concerning food like this, but you will eat almost anything if you are hungry enough. I would not want to be a commander, who feed his troupes this stuff all the time. These videos are very interesting, I like to cook, and I'm learning new stuff. ;-)

[@jehster]

While a teen, I attended a survival course where we packed unleavened bread since it could be tossed in a pack and not be crushed. We called it "Jesus bread" because it was hard as though it had been around since Jesus walked the earth.

[@Nunya9876]

It seems Zahn can’t wait to get to the bacon! 🥓 😂 He’s a great furry kitchen helper! And the history is very interesting, Dave Canterbury. Well done.

[@ethanringrose1550]

I love this series you have going on brother. keep these recipes coming.

[@dadsausmchero]

At least your cat was willing to wait untill after you were done eating to try and fish stuff out. I had a cat that was so brazen that she would climb onto the kitchen counter and using her claws fish out pipping hot chicken from the pan as it was frying.

[@mrwes100]

Nabisco made a Hardtack like cracker, called Crown Pilot. They discontinued it back in the late 1990s.

[@wyattoneable]

Anything can be saved with bacon. I enjoyed the lesson Dave.

[@Longtrailside]

Even a ford mustang 😁 ( inside joke )

[@internetcatfish]

Cat: shoves face into pan of hot bacon grease

[@sp10sn]

Wilt some stinging nettles in there ( singed first, of course ), maybe also some wild carrots and an allium.

[@jodamo5953]

Love these chow videos. Thanks Dave.

[@michaelpond6386]

This is the meal mentioned in the film The Red Badge of Courage. The General asks hi men what’s for supper. They say sow belly and hard tack.

[@keith9875]

Ol’ Jer would have loved this.

[@DWMurry]

Molasses would have been almost a sure thing in that. Seems i got a diary around here somewhere, if i find it I'll send it to ya.

[@ТУРИСТ-АВАНТЮРИСТ]

It's just incredible what beauty, what atmosphere you were able to create. This is truly a meditative experience watching you. I myself started making videos about my adventures, so I'm interested in everything. Grretings from Belarus tourist. ✌️

[@57ezrider]

have to make the hardtack first LOL then try it.. love the tin cup by the way,,,

[@Jaden48108]

And to think this was a soldier's last meal before a battle.

[@RatdogDRB]

THAT is survival grub. Nothing more, nothing less. "More gooder" than eating dirt. LOL Crazy cat.

[@anotheronebitesthedust8697]

The next time you try it, cook the salt pork first like you did. Remove it and set aside. after smashing the hardtac as fine as you can, add it to the bacon grease with equal amount of water. Simmer until it breaks down like oatmeal/grits consistency, chop up the pork and add to the mix. Enjoy. It should turn out like a loose biscuit & gravy but only bacon and gravy.

[@snovak89]

even when you admit it's not that palatable zahn gets right after it.

[@allencampbell9719]

Lol! Crazy-ass cat! I've got one at home, named Shelby, that'll steal the pepperoni off of your slice of pizza when you're not looking. Ask me how I know...

[@terrancecoard388]

Drachinifel did something very similar on 18th Century Naval Food (Lobscouse).

[@BELCAN57]

As a former Union Civil War reenactor, I can say from personal experience it'll fill your stomach. That's about the best I can say about it.

[@brianschroeder6106]

It was called hellfire stew in the south. We don't mind the extra salt.

[@J0kerScars]

Dave trying to teach Cat: “ah yes pet me now servant” Dave trying to cook Cat: “I will feast on this meal. Worry not for these flames cannot hurt me, a mighty god.”

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Awesome!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸

[@jamesswick7534]

The cat loved it! Haha

[@klawockkidd3426]

I can imagine maybe adding some greens, like polk or dandelion to it.

[@theamazingfreak]

That's one crazy fire retardant cat. Thanks for the great video.

[@gwpattrick]

Cats hungry, must've not had a good time mouse hunting yesterday. Another cat approved video.

[@guynemer53]

You should read Hardtack and Coffee by John D. Billings. Its a must read for us Civil War reenactors. The Civil War digital digest has a host of CW ration recipes and coffee vids too.

[@patrickharmon9459]

Good history, times can be hard, but it will make a terd!!! Lol 😆

[@blackhat517]

You can also soak the hardtack in coffee for a little flavor.

[@hughjass6327]

I bet Dave could beat Gordon Ramsay in a cooking contest

[@CthulhuCoffee]

Have to see if you can find some of those old letters where they describe making something like a cobbler with any fruit or berries they would find.

[@amateurshooter6054]

Thanks Dave

[@outsideinalaskahawaii5987]

ZON, Daves numba one chow hound. 😂 hardtack and pemmican must have! Thanks Dave.

[@annemarie8483]

Flour and water was what my family made homemade Christmas ornaments from, back in the day. They got very cement like so I can only imagine what those poor soldiers went through desperate for something.

[@AYellowPepper]

Tasting history with Max Miller recently did an Episode on "Hellfire Stew" wich seems very simmilar! I think you would love his show! He showcases a lot of historical travel foods! :D

[@landcruiserchewy]

I’m not sure if chicken eggs or other eggs were available during the civil war, although, I would imagine so. If they were, a couple of eggs thrown into that mix, I would imagine it would be very palatable! Great videos!

[@guynemer53]

Soldier would always forage around the area for anything available. One of the types of headwear that was commonly worn was called a forage cap bc it expanded to create a fairly deep pouch for collecting goodies.

[@aaronloiselle3651]

Was available more than likely, but eggs don't keep well and definitely don't travel well so it probably wouldn't make sense. I'm sure here and there they had eggs, but more often than not it was meat and bread.

[@Pygar2]

Neither chickens or eggs were long neglected... I heard soldiers put chicken and seawater in their muckets, and enjoyed the resulting soup... Chickens were much smaller then btw.

[@torjones1701]

Chicken eggs have been available since prehistoric era. Once we started domesticating animals, chickens, goats, sheep, dogs, and cats, were amongst the first species domesticated. It's theorized that cats domesticated themselves, but humans (homo sapiens) domesticated the wolf/dog/canine and other species. Cats just found it too advantageous to live with humans, by suppressing the rodent populations, eating our scraps, etc., than living in the wild, and decided that living with Humans was a really good deal. The original Chicken, the Auroch of the chicken world, called gallus gallus, still runs wild in South East Asia today. Canines may have been first, but the other animals were not far behind, and that includes fowl like chickens.

[@chrisconversino6294]

@@aaronloiselle3651 modern eggs are washed. If the bloom is left on they can keep at room temp for months. You can replace that bloom with food grade mineral oil with modern store bought eggs. In Europe were the eggs go unwashed, its common to see them stored on the kitchen counter rather than fridge. 100% agree with you on the travel part.

[@josephfrasure3884]

Dave,bacon will make most anything palatable.

[@roberteberhart1139]

Lol. Hardcore kitty

[@phillipjones1412]

Always enjoy your cooking Dave. You are the modern day Daniel Bonne. Thumbs up as always. Best in business. 👍

[@MyScottyboy1]

Just like my wife's cooking... only better... with less mess. Thanks David.

[@steveday4797]

I've done a similar thing with stale bread

[@thewritingchroniclesofbloo873]

I love history and most programs rarely talk about food. Looking forward to watching more of your channel.

[@davidbradley6040]

Cat really wants that bacon