Cooking With Canning Jars
Ingredients
Instructions
CANNING JARS
What they are: Traditionally used for canning and pickling, canning jars are easy to come by and often a good option for cooks who prefer to avoid plastics.
Where to find them: Buy some on Amazon, at the grocery store, in thrift shops, etc.
When to use: Cooking sous vide in canning jars works great when you're batch-cooking something delicious that needs to set. Think custards, pâtés, and yogurt. Distribute these foods among the wee jars, then leave them to do their thing in the water. If you're concerned about cooking with plastics, canning jars can be a great way to acquaint yourself with sous vide.
When not to use: A lot of curious cooks have questions about cooking meat and other foods using jars in lieu of plastic bags. Provided you cover the food with oil or another cooking liquid, you can do this safely, but keep in mind that your food will likely take a whole lot longer to cook than it would in plastic. Do not use canning jars in place of plastic bags when you're short on time. And if you plan to serve food cooked this way, be sure to run trials ahead of time so you can hone timing and doneness well before the moment of truth.