Hey there! In this article, I'll be sharing with you a video by Abbey Verigin that demonstrates how to pressure can two meal in a jar recipes for a total of 16 shelf-stable meals. The recipes featured are for chicken and gravy, and pot roast in a jar. Abbey provides a step-by-step guide, including tips on thickening the gravy and the specific seasonings to use. She also mentions that substitutions and modifications can be made according to personal preference. The article outlines the canning process, such as filling jars, leaving headspace, sealing with lids, and processing in a pressure canner. Abbey mentions that she has two more batches to do, making it a late evening due to additional batches and the need to wash dishes. Overall, this article provides a handy guide to pressure canning two delicious meal in a jar recipes for quick and easy meals on busy nights.
Benefits of Pressure Canning
Pressure canning is a popular method for preserving food and offers several benefits. Let's explore some of the advantages of pressure canning.
Long-Term Storage
One of the biggest benefits of pressure canning is its ability to provide long-term storage for your food. By using the pressure canning method, you can safely store your meals in jars for an extended period without the need for refrigeration. This is especially useful if you have a surplus of fresh produce or if you want to stock up on meals for emergencies or busy nights when cooking from scratch isn't possible.
Convenience
Pressure canning also offers convenience in meal preparation. By canning meals in jars, you have ready-to-eat options available at any time. This can be a lifesaver on busy days when you don't have the energy or time to cook a meal from scratch. Simply open a jar of your pressure-canned meal, heat it up, and you have a delicious and nutritious meal in minutes.
Preservation of Nutrients
Another significant benefit of pressure canning is the preservation of nutrients. Unlike traditional canning methods that involve high heat for an extended period, pressure canning uses high-pressure steam to kill bacteria and microorganisms. This high-pressure steam canning process helps retain the nutritional value of the food, ensuring that you get all the essential vitamins and minerals when you consume your pressure-canned meals.
Introduction to the Meal Recipes
In the video, Abbey Verigin demonstrates how to pressure can two meal-in-a-jar recipes: chicken and gravy, and pot roast. These recipes provide easy and convenient options for quick and healthy meals. Let's take a closer look at each recipe.
Chicken and Gravy Recipe
The chicken and gravy recipe is a comforting and hearty dish that can be enjoyed on its own or served over rice or mashed potatoes. Abbey modifies the original recipe by substituting oregano, thyme, and rosemary for the poultry seasoning. She explains that poultry seasoning can have a slightly off taste when pressure canned, so using her blend of herbs allows for a more flavorful result.
Pot Roast Recipe
The pot roast in a jar recipe is a classic and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed with various sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. Abbey uses beef cubes, carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes to create a delicious and hearty meal. Like with the chicken and gravy recipe, she adds her own blend of seasonings, including salt, pepper, and thyme, to enhance the flavors of the pot roast.
Ingredients and Substitutions
While the recipes provide specific ingredient measurements and seasonings, Abbey mentions that there is room for personal preferences and substitutions. Let's explore the options for ingredient substitutions and adjustments.
Specific Seasonings
In both recipes, Abbey suggests using specific seasonings to enhance the flavors. However, if you don't have those exact seasonings or prefer different ones, you have the flexibility to make substitutions. For example, if you don't have poultry seasoning for the chicken and gravy recipe, you can create your blend using herbs like sage, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary. Similarly, for the pot roast recipe, you can experiment with different herbs and spices, such as bay leaves, garlic powder, or paprika, to suit your taste.
Personal Preference Substitutions
In addition to seasonings, you can also make personal preference substitutions for other ingredients in the recipes. For example, if you're not a fan of celery, you can omit it or replace it with another vegetable that you enjoy, such as bell peppers or zucchini. Similarly, if you prefer sweet potatoes over white potatoes in the pot roast recipe, you can make that substitution. The key is to be creative and use ingredients that you and your family will enjoy in your pressure-canned meals.
Using Arrowroot Starch as a Thickener
In the video, Abbey demonstrates how to thicken the gravy in the chicken and gravy recipe using arrowroot starch. Arrowroot starch is a natural thickening agent that can be used as an alternative to flour or cornstarch, which are not considered safe for pressure canning. Let's delve into the process of using arrowroot starch and the benefits it offers.
Process of Mixing with Cold Broth
To use arrowroot starch as a thickener, Abbey reserves about a 1/4 cup of the cold broth from the recipe and mixes it with 2 tablespoons of arrowroot starch. This creates a slurry that can be added to the pot with the contents of the jar. The slurry helps incorporate the starch evenly into the gravy, preventing clumps and ensuring a smooth texture.
Benefits of Arrowroot Starch
Arrowroot starch offers several benefits as a thickening agent. It is a gluten-free option, making it suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities or those following a gluten-free diet. It also has a neutral taste, so it won't alter the flavor of the dish. Arrowroot starch is known for its ability to create a glossy and clear appearance when used as a thickener, resulting in visually appealing dishes. Additionally, it is a healthier alternative to flour or cornstarch, as it is easily digestible and gentle on the digestive system.
Relevant Products and Discount Code
Abbey provides links to several relevant products in the video, such as canning jars, canning lids, canning funnels, and helpful books on canning and preserving. She also offers a discount code, ABBEY10, which provides a 10% discount on the purchase of canning jars and lids. These products and discount code can help you get started with pressure canning and ensure that you have the necessary tools and resources.
Links to Products
Abbey includes links to the following products:
- Canning Lids
- 23 Qt Presto Pressure Canner
- Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Canning Funnels
- Ball Jar Lifter
- The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving
- Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Please note that these links are affiliate links, and Abbey receives a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Canning Process
Canning the prepared meals is a crucial step in the process of pressure canning. Abbey demonstrates the canning process in the video, highlighting important steps to ensure the safety and longevity of your pressure-canned meals. Let's go through the canning process step by step.
Filling Jars with Prepared Ingredients
Once the ingredients for the meals are prepared and seasoned, they are portioned into quart-sized jars. Abbey explains that she prefers to portion everything directly into each jar to save dishes and ensure even distribution of ingredients. This step helps in achieving consistent and flavorful meals in each jar.
Leaving Headspace
After filling the jars with the prepared ingredients, it is essential to leave some headspace at the top of each jar. Headspace refers to the space between the food and the lid of the jar. Abbey recommends leaving about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion during the canning process and ensure a proper seal.
Wiping the Rims
Before sealing the jars, Abbey emphasizes the importance of wiping the rims of the jars to remove any debris or residue. Wiping the rims with vinegar or hot water helps ensure a clean surface, which contributes to a successful seal and prevents contamination.
Sealing with Lids
Once the rims are clean, the lids and rings are placed on the jars. Abbey advises tightening the rings fingertip tight, which means applying enough pressure to hold the lid in place without overtightening. Tightening the rings properly helps create a secure seal without risking the lids buckling under pressure.
Pressure Canning Time
The canning time for each recipe is crucial to ensure the safety of the meals and the preservation of flavors. Abbey provides the recommended pressure canning times for both the chicken and gravy recipe and the pot roast recipe.
90 Minutes for Chicken and Gravy
Abbey recommends processing the quart-sized jars of chicken and gravy in a pressure canner for 90 minutes. This processing time is suitable for quart-sized jars but may vary for pint-sized jars.
75 Minutes for Pot Roast
For the pot roast recipe, Abbey suggests processing the quart-sized jars in a pressure canner for 75 minutes. As with the chicken and gravy recipe, the processing time may differ for pint-sized jars.
Abbey's Demonstrated Batch and Additional Batches
In the video, Abbey demonstrates the canning process for one batch of the chicken and gravy recipe. However, she mentions that she has two more batches to complete, bringing the total number of pressure-canned meals to 16. Abbey explains that she will have to run her pressure canner three times due to its size limitations, resulting in a late evening and additional dishes to wash.
Canning Process for One Batch
Abbey walks through the canning process for one batch, from filling the jars with prepared ingredients to sealing them with lids and rings. Following the proper canning techniques and safety measures, she ensures that each jar is ready for the pressure canner.
Mention of Two More Batches
Abbey mentions that she still has two more batches to can after completing the first batch. This emphasizes the scalability and flexibility of pressure canning, allowing you to process larger quantities of meals for long-term storage.
Impact on Time and Washing Dishes
Since Abbey has multiple batches to process, she acknowledges that it will be a late evening due to the additional canning sessions and the need to wash dishes. This highlights the time commitment and effort involved in pressure canning larger quantities, but it also demonstrates the value of having shelf-stable meals on hand for future use.
Conclusion
Pressure canning meals in jars offers numerous benefits, including long-term storage, convenience, and the preservation of nutrients. Abbey's demonstration of the chicken and gravy and pot roast recipes showcases the delicious and easy-to-prepare meals that can be achieved through pressure canning. Additionally, the use of arrowroot starch as a thickener, the availability of relevant products, and the discount code for canning jars and lids provide further support for those interested in pressure canning. By following the canning process guidelines and ensuring proper processing times, you can enjoy shelf-stable meals for quick and easy dinners. Remember to personalize your pressure-canned meals by making ingredient substitutions and adjustments to suit your preferences. Happy pressure canning!
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