Today we’re getting ready for the American National Moon Day with an Astronauts Stress Free Dinner Party.
The Apollo 11 space mission carrying Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, Jr. left the Cape Kennedy Space Centre on July 16 1969. Leaving pilot Collins in space, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the “Eagle” lunar module at Tranquility Base on July 20. A few hours later, Armstrong cracked the lid to become the first man on the moon declaring “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
President Nixon proclaimed National Moon Landing Day, intended to commemorate the first moon landing, on 20 July 1971.
Food
According to NASA, early space food (Mercury Missions) consisted of freeze-dried powders, pastes from tubes, or gelatin coated bite-size snacks. By the time the Apollo Missions launched, they had hot water for rehydration and a plastic container that could be opened and eaten with a spoon!
Today, space station food is either fresh, frozen, or refrigerated, so you could just cook an ordinary meal, but no one is going the believe that’s astronaut food.
Menus are tailored for each astronaut so you could check your guests preferences and purchase single serves for each.
Drinks
Drinks come in foil laminate packets that can be mixed with hot and cold water in the station. You could certainly use them, but I’ll be matching with “normal” drinks.
Ambience
Space food comes in space trays that can be attached to the astronaut or a handy wall. It uses velcro tabs, magnets and springs to hold food and cutlery in place. You could pick up divided trays at camping stores to mimic the look.
Dress Code
Space suits of course!
Dinner Planning
As ever, six guests invited to arrive 6.30 for 7.00pm.
6:30 Apéritif: Nuts and Beer (or Champagne because we’re celebrating a major historical event)
Mainly because it’s easy, and you’ve got all those space observations to get done.
7.00 Entrée: Soup with a dry Riesling or Rosé
Buy a bunch of individual serves from the refrigerator section of your supermarket, and follow the microwave instructions. Or pick up some from the dried goods section and rehydrate with boiling hot water.
The wine won’t match each soup perfectly, but you can’t have everything in space!
8.00 Main: Freeze Dried Stews with more Riesling or Rosé
While you’re at the camping store, stock up on freeze-dried stews or curries. Some include packs of rice/vegetable accompaniments or you may need to buy them separately.
When you are ready to serve, add hot water to the pack and stir. Usually for about 10 minutes, but follow the instructions.
9.00 Dessert: Tinned Fruit Cake/Pudding and cream or custard with Muscat
I’m thinking one of the rich fruit puddings of the Christmas kind. Open the can, and follow the microwave instructions.
10.00 Digestif: dark chocolate, aged cheddar and crackers with Apple Brandy or liqueur (tea and coffee). And Alka-Seltzer
If you see any interesting post-dinner type snacks at the camping store, grab them, but don’t be surprised if you are left with a heap of them. Otherwise, we’ll close out with a post-mission lump of good cheddar, oatcakes for fibre. Add some fresh crispy apple or pear, and a spicy mustard or jam.
Schedule
No schedule required – you can just make it up as you go. And the best thing, next to no dishes to wash!