Grab and Go Comfort Meal (Freeze or Freeze Dry)

[@mommyharris1111]

I want a Harvest food dehydrator so bad. My husband says that we really don’t need it. I think it is a great way to keep leftovers, prep for our hurricanes, and also to store my garden harvest. You and a few others make this look like a fantastic investment.

[@leewillis2908]

I’m with you. I would so love to have one. But, with a fixed income looming in the near future, the cost is prohibitive. I was really hoping that, as more people buy, the price might come down. Haha. No prices are coming down! Oh well. Trying not to covet my “neighbor’s” goods. All of that said, I’m so grateful that Caroline took the care to show us a freezer version. Thanks Caroline!

[@pennylaur7687]

How much are they?

[@Nugulator]

@@pennylaur7687 I have the medium size. It's about $3000. Love it. Going to make pot pie this weekend.

[@eagledice2008]

Girl don’t claim the hurricanes 😂

[@jodylund5477]

I want one so bad too. I love love freeze dried berries. They only keep for a short time. And you can’t buy good stuff locally where we live. I could grow many and freeze dry them. My husband says we don’t need one. Buy when I buy freeze dried berries for snacks cuz you can’t find fresh especially out of season they are so pricey. I love peaches too and would love to do my garden stuff

[@leewillis2908]

Hi Caroline and Josh, It would be great to see a cost breakdown (including cost of machine) of freeze dried food to frozen or canned food, including cost of equipment, power, food storage, etc. ie: help me justify the cost, lol. Love you guys. You are such amazing teachers. I had 11 kids, but was never nearly as organized as you are. Wish I’d had your videos back in the day.

[@leewillis2908]

@@KarenLarsen22070 it would still be helpful to see a price comparison. I can dehydrate food, can food, and freeze food. I’d like to see if it’s more cost effective to freeze dry.

[@zhippidydoodah]

@@KarenLarsen22070 There was a very good sale, the large was about 3500 with the premium pump and a free set of extra trays.

[@dorisberard3249]

Can you get a freeze dryer in Canada?

[@DawnaRo]

There are people on youtube who have done that break down. I can only tell you the cost of electricity is minimal (If I recall just a little over $1 and the bags and oxygen absorbers will be less than another $1. Compare to buying commercial FD. I just did Chicken Breast and my #10 can of ORGANIC chicken cost $32.00. Commercial #10 can of NON organic chicken costs over $100. You can't buy organic FD foods and you can make your own recipes that you know you and your family like. BTW, I got 2 #10 can's from 4 trays (medium size machine)

[@richnunes5683]

@@dorisberard3249 Google it

[@dcollins91989]

What I learned here: Freeze dried meals = truly grab and go Freezer meals = start grab-bing an entire day before you're go-ing to be in a rush so it can defrost in your refrigerator and then be heated up in the oven all over again 🤣 Guess I need to save up for a freeze dryer because that result is truly amazing and will prevent the fast food trips when I'm in a rush! Love your channel!

[@barbaragage657]

This is the best pot pie recipe I've ever made and it freeze dries and reconstituted so well!

[@nicolesawyer7133]

Loved this video, please do more recipes like this! I love having freezer meals for busy summer days

[@DawnaRo]

This is not freezer mails, it's FREEZE DRIED meals. BIT difference as this will not take any space in your freezer and will keep for likely over a year. Foods that don't contain dairy and fats will keep up to 25 years.

[@fullofhope2222]

Just ordered my Harvest Right 5 tray - cannot wait - with the solar panels 'waking up' I'll be running it 4/7 - great to have another recipe - THANK YOU 🙏🙏

[@pennylaur7687]

Cost?

[@Jenniferscrazylife]

@fullofHope where are you getting the solar panels for it from? If you don’t mind sharing that is .. Thanks

[@fullofhope2222]

@@Jenniferscrazylife Hi there - Im not much help .Im in Ireland and Ive the roofs covered using German made powerbanks - I guess in USA its the same as a Tesla set up - years ago everyone laughed at me - but I knew the UK energy Prices were to caught up in the coming hyperinflation and I was getting ahead of the curve - Also I got the house fitted out with woodstove (with oven) After the initial outlay - Its paying for itself - freeze dryer next month

[@Jenniferscrazylife]

@@fullofhope2222 Thank you for the reply, my hubby was born in Ireland but moved to the states when he was 4 months old lol His mother’s family was O’kelley and either from Donegal or near Donegal, I don’t remember the story exact lol But anyways, stay safe over there and thank you again!

[@fullofhope2222]

@@pennylaur7687 In Ireland I can only buy HARVEST RIGHT from a Pharmaceutical company - Its costing well over $5000 but in the lower 48 its a lot cheaper - half that price - solar back then was about $10K fitted - but much more expensive now

[@halifaxguy]

after you add the cream and it's quit liquidy, it reminded me so much of Grammies 'summer stew'.... MMMMM so yummy...

[@glorytogodhomestead3495]

I bought the processor and the attachment! I am a processing maniac. Thank you, Carolyn, for the confidence!❤

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Wonderful!

[@eleanorjpoindexter4299]

You are the REAL PIONEER WOMAN!!!!!!!!!! You have a very beautiful family.

[@tinacarr9498]

Please do more freeze dryermeals. We are experimenting with ours and I trust your recipes!

[@PASTORSHARON]

I bought the food processor and the extra attachments. Liked it so much I bought one for my daughter.

[@nolatenbroeke7992]

Get one. Me and hubby both drive semi and it’s so great to have home made meals on the road and so easy to prepare in our trucks

[@360eagleeye4]

Thank you. More of these would be great. I love you and your family. You are indeed quite unique.

[@CindyJ-s1u]

I watch a lot of cooking shows you are number one

[@Rqu000]

Please post more freeze dry ready meal tutorials! I will be making these! Thank you for the wonderful content.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Will look for Cuisinart dicer attachment!! ETA: $50-so worth it! I can save up for it. I’ve been waiting 40 yrs for this in my life‼️

[@cindyjohnson5242]

I absolutely love my Breville!

[@suseq]

Thank you for this video! I got my freeze dryer last month, LOVE IT!!! I love the convenience meals and have been freeze drying left overs. I also love chicken pot pie! I will making this as soon as I have trays available to freeze dry the next batch! Love this! Thank you!!!!

[@pennylaur7687]

Price?

[@martha9413]

Are you happy with your freeze dryer? Would you share how you found it. My daughter wants one. I have no idea which one is best not where to find it. Thank you in advance.

[@suseq]

Take a look at the site, there are different sized machines and different vacuum pumps, you'll have to sort out which is right for you. I got the medium because the large requires a different outlet, my breaker box could not accommodate. I would have rather gotten the large. I got the premier pump because the documents on the website indicate this was the lowest decibel. Do a search on KZbin, lots of videos about the freeze dryer. It helped me to watch these videos to know what I wanted it for, which would be the right machine for me. Retired at 40 Live Life Simple is a great channel for information regarding the machine, pump options, and how to select the one for you. He also has lots of videos of freeze drying foods and reconstituting them. Great resource.

[@lavoyasearcy5693]

This is so interesting! I love to watch how she does everything. And I'm getting some great ideas!!!

[@lrmsmrls16]

You can also FD your ends and tips and just keep adding them to a jar, pulverize them and have an all purpose vegetable dry blend. I've been saving my celery leaves, odds and ends veggies and even the powdered bits left over off my trays. I've been very frugal with my veggies. My compost pile is suffering.

[@bonnieganschow9137]

No freeze dryer here, so going to put some in one of my freezers. Just made a chicken pot pie two nights ago😘 Thank you so much for this video. 🙏🙌❤️

[@JenSpice]

I love freeze drying my favorite soups, but this gives me even more ideas! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Hope you enjoy

[@eagledice2008]

Your voice makes me want to listen to you all day girrrrrl keep up the good work

[@kaesmomFitz]

Thank you for this! I had no idea I could freeze stuff in canning jars. This is great to know!

[@teresashuler7752]

I brined the chopped chicken with salt, rosemary and bay leaves about 12 hours. I also didn’t have time to chop veggies so I used some freezed dried veggies. The brine gave a good flavor, I didn’t add anymore salt. So yummy. I keep making this and freeze drying it and we are eating it from pint jars before I can get enough for long term storage. Love my freeze dryer.

[@redeemedvintageseamstress4728]

Wow! I LOVE this idea! So AWESOME! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 😊

[@terrijob7818]

I have that food processer with the dicing attachment. It gets lots of use in canning season. I love it. The time it saves is worth every dime I had to save to get it into my kitchen.

[@TheFamilyFarmstead]

I’m constantly making homemade soups for my husbands lunches. I’m definitely going to add this to my to do list. Love the cooking videos!

[@astatine0085]

Yep the soux chef slicer dicer is the best for big batches. For small batches I still hand dice / chop.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

Is Sous Chef a brand?

[@chrishappysofar2090]

Carolyn thank you for the suggested Breville food processor! I do a lot of cooking for our HarvestRight freeze dryer. We opted for the large version about 18 months ago and absolutely love it. Being able to process vegetables cleanly and efficiently is always helpful. I did order through your linked account so hopefully you will receive the benefit of the order. Thnx again for the video

[@debrasonner5970]

MORE MEALS LIKE THIS PLEASE! I just got a freeze dryer and am looking for other recipes. Thought about writing a freeze dryer book in your spare time?😂

[@tedmacat]

I love this! I've never thought about freeze drying food to preserve it, how cool!

[@wizelbee]

I love the food processor that fits my Kitchen Aid stand mixer including the dicer blades.

[@rogerchannell]

Do you know of a way to sharpen the dicer portion of the blades? I have enjoyed mine and find the price of a new one a bit much. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated :)

[@alvinjackson9685]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@Nerak7219]

Thank you! I'm always looking for new meal ideas for the freeze dryer. Love this idea!

[@chrisolson7794]

I can't wait to try this recipe! I would also love a freeze dryer.

[@carolclarkson4859]

What a fantastic video. This recipe looks delicious. I love how you show the freeze drying part to it.

[@poodlegirl55]

Looks delicious. I make a chicken stew that I can. I thicken it with butter and flour roux when opened and pour it into crust to bake.

[@thomasmaphis7203]

You are outstanding on everything you do Thank you

[@sarahspencer3737]

We love your freeze dryer!! Can't wait to make this to out in it.. thank you

[@wendyhall8834]

This looks so yummy! You made it look so easy!

[@KitchenFairy61]

I have the the kitchen aid dicer, but I haven't used it yet. It wasn't cheap either. I should probably learn how to use it.

[@theimperfectpantry5936]

Can’t wait to try this as an MRE.

[@pagegurl]

New to your channel and I love it…

[@emilyb41]

Running my test batch of bread in the freeze dryer right now. This is going to be one of the first thinks I freeze dry! Can’t wait!

[@colliecoform4854]

Just like my chicken pot pie! I will definitely be making these for the freezer, no freeze dryer but maybe one day.

[@lkiraly58]

OH MY GOSH! What a delicious recipe! I'm considering buying a freeze dryer but couldn't wait to try out your recipe. I love it, so delicious and satisfying. I'm going to make it again and freeze it in the pint jars. I love your channel and how your family represents what is good and decent in this world. God bless you and your family and keep on doing what you do!

[@heidigib01]

That is one giant skillet!

[@onedazinn998]

Perfect. ;) Thank you!

[@chrisolson7794]

I saw a trick to put a damp paper towel next to your cutting area when you chop onions to absorb the odor

[@chrisdeering2077]

Great video.

[@JM7284]

OMGosh...I've been on the fence for the freeze drier...but now I'm ordering one today and this will be the first meal I experiment with. Thank you !!!

[@cherylnugent3240]

I have to try this! Thanks 😊!

[@sheldonraper8189]

That freeze dryer is awesome. I didn't even know that sort of thing existed. Checking into one right now.

[@fruitsofmylabors7879]

Amazing! I love your recipes

[@janonthemtn]

I think I'd freeze some in silicone bags instead of all jars. If you want a meal quick you won't have time for overnight in fridge for jars.

[@CookingwithCatLover0330]

This is a great video. I am starting to learn to can and canned my homemade chicken soup a couple of weeks ago. We also have a Harvest Right. I love how you made the pot pie filling and put it into a pint jar. That's what I'm going to be doing. So easy for a good meal for my husband at work or any meal. Thank you!

[@abijayce1974]

Oh my goodness. This is incredibly delicious! I made 1/2 batch to try.

[@dancnluc1]

That looks really delicious.

[@gardeningperth]

Wow! That dicer is a time saver!

[@lindsaynorman9323]

I Love my dehydrator, but I admit I'm a little jealous of your freeze dryer! Thank you for making great KZbin content

[@dillydilly7693]

I could have used that dicer when I was cooking for our family of 9!

[@dsgm10]

Where can I get the giant pan you were cooking in?

[@MJ-fv7lh]

Thanks for this video! I just got a freeze dryer this week and I am so excited to try this recipe

[@toriharris8762]

I am in love with ur videos sooo many things I wanna make and do for me and my husband.

[@jodylund5477]

I really want one of these freeze drying machines. It’s definitely not in my budget but the more I learn about the things you can do with it I feel like it’s a Saturday. I originally wanted it for fruit because where we live it’s hard to get very good or fresh fruit especially in a long winters and I love freeze dried fruit but I don’t really love just regular dried fruit. Anyways your videos are showing me all the different things you can do with it which I think is amazing. We farm and so we have a really busy wife during spring and harvest and I hate grab and go things from the store and I like to cook homemade like this and so I try to meal prep tons of meals in the freezer and then we take them to the fuel then we have a little cooker in the tractor that plugs into a charging thing and we can heat up Hot dishes and meals and pasta and chicken pot pie and all those things in the little cooker but I don’t have the freezer space are usually only do it for harvest. So having things like this that I could prep in the winter when we’re not as busy would be amazing because in the summer I’m trying to keep my garden growing and all the sudden it’s time to Medicaid and then we have to get in the field to harvest the crops and it’s really hard to find the time to make the freezer meals and so something like this would help me prep during the time of year where I have the time available and I’ve been racking my brain how I could ever budget it and I had a great idea and I wanted to share it here I have family that lives close by and if we all collectively went together and purchased one together we could get one. And then just share it. Get together at the time of year we need to preserve garden foods and work together to process it. I’ve even heard ideas like as an example I’m really good at growing certain things and my brother just has a knack for growing onions far better than me and my mom and so he could concentrate on growing the things he’s good at and then we could get together and freeze dry things together. Just sharing my thoughts.

[@neelybuscemi9206]

This is amazing! I would love to see more freezer meals like this!

[@renamaemcdonald2075]

Mmmm! Looks so delicious 😋

[@davidnicholas7624]

Brilliant ! Something new to try with my freeze drier.

[@monas.5935]

Just made this and it’s awesome! Enough for supper tonight and freeze dry for later! ❤️Would love more recipes like this, I want to freeze dry grab and go meals for our son to take back to college with him.

[@judyabernathy80]

Amazing! And, chicken pot pie is among my all time favorites. Great idea.♥️🙏🏼♥️

[@twstephanie50]

This was a great video ! Love the music also ! You all used great taste in making this !

[@LeslieHendrix3053]

Boy, do I wish I had one of those Freeze Driers!!! I've looked into them but just can't afford something like that right now... Loved your recipe though and will try making it for the freezer! Thank you Carolyn! ❤️

[@kellyh8218]

No link to the food processor?

[@Janice_1979_]

Love this, thanks Carolyn

[@Wildevis]

That is almost exactly like I make my chicken pie, but sometimes I add mushrooms :-)

[@karenharris6457]

sorry, I meant to say that I got a harvest right freeze dryer and I have freeze dried mangos and lots of other fruits, I also have done taco soup. thank you for the new recipe.

[@brightstarr57]

Wow! Amazing! Thanks!

[@261COLLINS]

OMG! I had no idea that you could use mason jars for freezing. Will definitely try this method soon. Thanks for all you do.

[@heatherk8931]

Not sure if all Mason jars can be used for freezing. It may be adjusted head space. I got thrift store jars in the box that said freezer on the box. The jars had an extra thick ring of glass at the neck. So I don't know🤔

[@Aurelia1985]

Speaking of freeze drying, I’ve been wondering if fresh nixtamilized masa can be freeze dried and ground to make shelf stable masa harina. I haven’t been able to find much info, except one person who dehydrated it. I bet it would work! I’d like to be able to find someone local who’ll rent me time on their freeze dryer, so I can try some things before I decide the price is really worth it.

[@christineestelle2510]

This is amazing!! I loved to see both versions. My only problem is when I have freeze dried food and vacuum sealed, sometimes the seal would break without me knowing and then I had to throw the food out. I wonder the positives and negatives to adding the ring on afterwards, I've tried to look up this information but without luck. I am so excited and hopeful to figure all of this out eventually! Thanks again!

[@juliamarple3785]

On yum. I just made a trial quarter batch with my canned chicken. Next time I will work on freezing some & trying the pint jar thing.

[@karenharris6457]

de mangos and lots of other fruits and i also did taco soup. Thanks for the new recipe!!!

[@ariyaelle]

Can the recipe use dairy free options like coconut milk and still be able to freeze dry safely? What types of garden vegetables can be freeze dried best? I would like to know to prep future garden. Can you share how to store freeze dried food in Mylar bags? Thanks!

[@gretchendavis8974]

I was told that oil from the butter isn’t good for long time storage. Even FD it.Due to it going rancid. Is that true?

[@Girlangie2003]

I would love to have one but I have to save up for that. Love your videos!!

[@DawnaRo]

If you want it to store for up to 20 years, you won't be able to use cream. Best to use 2% milk. The less fat, the longer it will store. Also should use coconut oil rather than butter. Again, because of the fat content in butter, Even with that I wouldn't count on it storing for 20 years. No one has had a home freeze drying more than 10 years and people didn't really start FDing meat until the last 2 years.

[@ddzk2993]

Thanks

[@celinecormier2060]

Wow. Goddess!! I don't know how you do it all !! Amazing. Thank you :)

[@tamararobinson2069]

Fabulous video!! Thanks so much Caroline!!😋😃

[@sbender3787]

The manufacturers of canning jars say NOT to use them in the oven. They are meant to be heated in a moist/wet environment only.

[@maryholmen4116]

This recipe is wonderful. I have freeze dried it using chicken per the recipe. I am now prefreezing the recipe with adaptations with beef. Next up, I will be making a vegan version using tofu for the protein. I do have turkey in the freezer...😊

[@craftydee82]

I can't wait to make this!

[@dianatennant4346]

This sounds like a really good one either way thank you for sharing your expertise

[@nataliepetit1309]

Not sure if the question has already been asked.... when storing the freeze dried meal can they be stored in the vacuum sealed bags instead of in jars? The bags take up much less room than canning jars, which is much nicer if you have limited space.

[@berlygirl123]

Yes you can use the mylar bags as long as you use an oxygen absorber.

[@janonthemtn]

Your husband has made sure you have every piece of high quality kitchen processing equipment, plus your YT channel.

[@teresarydberg1450]

Every fall I make a number of chicken pot pies for the freezer to have over the winter (I cheat with the sauce though and use cream of chicken soup and I use those mini metal pie plates😁). I had always used pie crust however this year I ended up using puff pastry and found it to be a much nicer and lighter top crust (we only do one crust as I found having a bottom crust soaked up a lot of the juice - I also use lard in my pie crusts for a flakier crust). I do these along with lasagnas and our family loves to be able to take them out throughout the winter for quick and soul warming meals. Quick question - which version of Foodsaver are you using. I'm looking to buy one and I want to make sure it has the ability for the jar sealing as well.

[@scentsbyemebathbody3161]

God Bless you!! God is in Control and He will pull us thru this storm ! Faith 😊😊💕💕🙏🙏🇺🇸💕🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@HomemadebyLA]

Love this! Do you have a beef pot pie recipe to share please and thank you!

[@brendachadwick8613]

Love ur videos ❣️ would ❤️ to know where I can get my hands on the giant size cast iron, my mom had one, but since her passing a few yrs back, nobody knows where it went 😢 I always wanted moms giant cast iron pan. 🤗🙏🤗