Read Meals in a Jar for Free Online Page A

batch of several bags.
    MEAT SUBSTITUTIONS: In recipes calling for meat, feel free to use either freeze-dried or home-canned meats such as beef, chicken, and sausage. Also, many of the beef soups are also delicious using sausage crumbles as well. Some cooks like to substitute textured vegetable protein (TVP) for all or part of the ground beef in recipes for the sake of economy. If using freeze-dried meats, use about half the amount called for, because it expands when it comes in contact with fluid. For example if a recipe calls for a pint of home-canned beef, you may substitute 1 to 2 cups of freeze-dried ground beef, beef chunks, or sausage crumbles.



Beef, Lentil, and Pasta Soup
    This soup combines lentils, split peas, and barley, which are the quickest-cooking legumes, with tasty, tender home-canned beef. The legumes give a delicious toothsome chew and the tender beef and pasta make for a savory, nutritious, satisfying soup. Serve it with biscuits or cornbread.
    Makes 8 (8-serving) meals
    Ingredients
    2 cups uncooked split peas
    1-1/3 cups beef bouillon granules
    2 cups pearl barley
    2 cups uncooked lentils
    1 cup dehydrated onion flakes
    3 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
    2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
    8 (1/2-pint) jars Home-Canned Beef ( page 48 ) or 8 cups freeze-dried beef, sausage, or TVP
    8 bay leaves
    4 cups uncooked alphabet pasta
    8 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
    8 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
    Instructions
    For soup mix: In each of 8 vacuum bags or jars, add and then seal:
• 1/4 cup uncooked split peas
• 2-1/2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 cup pearl barley
• 1/4 cup uncooked lentils
• 2 tablespoons dehydrated onion flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 cup freeze-dried beef, sausage, or TVP (if not using home-canned beef)
• 1 bay leaf
    For pasta: In each of 8 small zip-top bags, seal:
• 1/2 cup uncooked alphabet pasta (or other small pasta)

Ready-Made Meal Assembly
    Seal or package together in each of 8 vacuum or tote bags:
• 1 bag soup mix
• 1 bag pasta
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1 can home-canned beef (if using home-canned)

    Label each bag:
    In a large pot over medium heat, add beef and any liquid and stir to break up. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, soup mix, and 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 45 minutes. Stir in the pasta, cover, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pasta, peas, lentils, and barley are tender. Remove the bay leaf and serve. Serves 8 .

Home-Canned Beef
    Ingredients
    4 pounds ground beef
    seasoning salt
    black pepper
    8 (1/2-pint) jars
    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the beef and stir to break up. Season well. With a canning funnel, transfer into sterile jars, and cover with water, leaving 1 inch of headspace. Wipe jar rim with a vinegar-moistened paper towel. Pressure-can for 75 minutes. Let cool completely and wipe jars clean.

Cream of Asparagus Soup
    This is a delicious, creamy, delicately flavored soup. The dehydrated asparagus really ups the flavor. Serve it with dinner rolls for dipping or a sidekit of Cheddar Garlic Biscuits ( page 126 ).
    Makes 8 (6-serving) meals
    Ingredients
    16 cups dehydrated asparagus
    2 cups dehydrated chopped onion
    2 cups dehydrated chopped celery
    5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons onion powder
    1 cup chicken soup base or bouillon granules, divided
    16 slices dehydrated lemon
    1 cup dry milk
    2 tablespoons sour cream powder
    1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    1 cup butter-flavored vegetable shortening
    1 cup flour
    Instructions
    For soup mix: In each of 8 vacuum bags or jars, add and then seal:
• 2 cups dehydrated asparagus
• 1/4 cup dehydrated chopped onion
• 1/4 cup dehydrated chopped celery
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon chicken soup base or bouillon granules
• 1 slice