Monday, November 24, 2014

How to Make a Meal-in-a-Jar Two Methods



I’m excited to share of my favorite Meal-In-A-Jar recipes with you.  I’ve been making these easy recipes for my family for just over a year and I love how easy they are to prepare.  I am concerned about the quality and nutrition in the foods my family eats but I don’t always have time to cook from scratch, these Meal-In-A-Jar recipes have become the solution for my family.  



How to Make a Meal-in-a-Jar:   Two Methods

Method 1:  Use a Food Saver to Seal the Jars
Step 1:  In a clean, dry quart jar, layer ingredients. Shake the powder down into the jar if needed. 
Step 2:  Place the lid on the jar.  Don’t add the ring. 
Step 3:  Attach one end of the hose to the accessory port and the other end to the jar sealer.  Place the jar sealer over the jar.
Step 4:  Turn on your food saver and remove the oxygen from the jar.  
Step 5: Remove the jar sealer (it is easier to unhook the hose from the jar sealer first), add label and ring, store in a cool dry place. 


Method 2:  Use Oxygen Absorbers
Step 1:  In a clean, dry quart jar, layer ingredients. Shake the powder down into the jar if needed. 
Step 2:  Wipe the top of the jar with a paper towel to remove any powder.
Step 3:  Top with a 300 cc oxygen absorber. Seal tightly. 
Step 4:  The lid should seal within a few hours.  Add label and date.  Store in a cool, dry place.

I purchase my oxygen absorbers from Amazon.  Oxygen absorbers are a onetime use product, they can NOT be reused, if the jar does not seal after one hour remove oxygen absorber and discard.  Then add a fresh oxygen absorber and reseal. 



A note on Food Safety:
The Meal-in-a-Jar method is a form of Dry Pack Canning.   The food inside the jars is preserved because the food is free of moisture and oxygen, the lack of which inhibits bacterial growth.  Jars should be stored in a dark environment to prevent any nutritional degradation due to light.  

When packing your jars remember to always
·         Sanitize all equipment before use. Be sure to dry all equipment thoroughly before using.
·         Wash hands and or wear food handler’s gloves.
·         Keep work area clean and dry. 
·         Use either Method 1 or Method 2 to remove the oxygen from your jar.