A terrifying earthquake “bed-box” video surfaced on my social media channels. A computer-generated woman, sound asleep, is suddenly swallowed by her own bed as a mechanism of defense against an earthquake. The vibrations have triggered her bed to “eat” her and stuff her (safely) inside a steel frame box, with fireproof wrapping, and snacks. (You can store water and food beneath you until someone finds you.)
So, while the building around you collapses, you’re tucked, Hot Pocket-style, into a locked box with fireproof walls and some kind of ability to send a distress signal, which hopefully, someone detects.
Why this reminded me to make a hot sandwich pocket-like meal for dinner, I don’t know. But I did. And here we are. And I’m kind of happy about it because the meal turned out great.
Here’s the earth-shattering recipe—no steel-framed boxes/sleeping apparatuses required:
Emergency Alert: These Spiced Beef Pockets Are Pretty Good (Recipe)
Ingredients
–One packet of yeast (quick rise or slow rise—doesn’t matter (about 2 ¼ teaspoons))
–1 ¼ cup of warm water
–1 teaspoon of salt
–2-3 cups of flour
–1/2 pound of lean ground beef
–¼ of an onion, minced
–2 cloves of garlic
–1 teaspoon of thyme leaves
–2 tablespoons of raisins
–2 teaspoons of curry powder
–1/2 teaspoon of cayenne powder
–1/2 teaspoon of allspice
–1/2 teaspoon of paprika
–1/2 teaspoon of salt
–1 teaspoon of turmeric
–1/4 cup of milk
Method
–Mix the yeast and the warm water together. Let stand for five minutes.
–Add the salt
–Mix in the flour a cup at a time. Knead on a floured surface for about ten minutes.
Preheat the oven to 450°
Heat the beef in a skillet over medium heat with the onion and garlic. Add the rest of the ingredients (except for the turmeric and milk) and keep stirring until the beef is cooked through and the spices are mixed in.
Divide the dough into four sections and flatten them into circles on a baking sheet that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
Add dollops of the beef mixture into the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough edges around to form a kind of crescent/oval shape—or circle is fine. Crimp the edges with a fork and poke a few holes in the top for the steam to escape.
Brush the tops with the turmeric and milk mixture.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Results:
The pocket sandwiches were warm, satisfying, wholesome. Maybe a little dry inside, but pretty good. They’d definitely do in an emergency. Not sure how long they’d last inside a bed burrito of sorts, triggered by an earthquake, but I wouldn’t exactly kick them out of my first-aid kit, either.
Your Turn: What’s your favorite sandwich or sandwich-like cuisine?
Fixin' Leaks and Leeks 
Somehow, I think there would be negative unintended consequences with the earthwake-proof bed. My best sandwich experience was the sloppy joes the hot lunch ladies used to make at school. I’ve tried countless sloppy joe recipes and never been able to replicate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah–I’m thinking any construction outside could possibly set it off? Those sloppy joe sandwiches are so delicious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There must have been some Hot Lunch Lady secret recipe.
LikeLike
Well, that was certainly an interesting leap from earthquake bed to sandwich! I see how your mind in working…🙃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
After seeing that ad, I can understand where your recipe thinking went! Looks really good; thanks. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! The sandwich was good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The thing that went through my mind is how that bed could be converted to something to end your enemies. Add razor-sharp teeth to the sides of the bed so as the centre-fold drops down and the sides rise to grip your enemy in your bed, the teeth extend from the sides of the bed to ensure there is no escape.
You could add a venus flytrap element by having acidic “digestive juices” squirted into the “pocket” to ensure your enemy is “processed” in a satisfactory manner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I think your expertise may be needed for my next horror book 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe, I’m happy to contribute my expertise 😊
LikeLike
Your recipe sounds delicious. I like that there are a lot of spices in it. And the raisins are a great idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The raisins were actually Alex’s idea to add, and I loved the sweet/savory flavor 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG, I saw that video too and it was TERRIFYING! What’s worse–being in an earthquake or being trapped inside a metal box during an earthquake? I don’t even know. Great recipe though:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
The video is quite disturbing. Nate and I were in an earthquake (minor one) here years ago, and the thought of ALSO having a bed swallowing you during the middle of it is just…I can’t even imagine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And how hard would you land in it?!😳
LikeLike
I’m having a hard time getting past the the idea of being trapped in a metal tomb until someone comes to rescue me. Surely it can be opened from the inside, right? Claustrophobe’s nightmare!
But the meal sounds and looks good! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just hope I have enough spiced beef pocket sandwiches to get me through if that ever happens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A worthwhile concern for sure.
LikeLike
It’s both funny and terrifying to think about a giant bed swallowing you, ostensibly to keep you safe. I really wouldn’t want to find out, though, but I’d definitely want some of your hot pockets to assuage hunger pangs. I’m still giggling at you being inspired to make hot pockets, though. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person