FOOD Looking for Advice on adding dried Mirepoix to my pantry...

phloydius

phloydius

Veteran Member
I am looking for some advice on adding dried mirepoix to my pantry.

I've recently moved on to adding some of the "nice to have's" to my pantry. Because of my food allergy and medical issues, I can not buy most of the ready-made long term food storage (like MRE's, Mountain House, etc.). One of the core items is that I make my own stock / broth using left over parts of carcasses. I can that stock, but it only lasts so long, and it is a core part of my diet (by desire, not requirement).

The next item on my list to change in my pantry is to store some dehydrated or freeze dried ingredients for mirepoix. It looks like Augason Farms seems to have a good product based on the reviews and I'm considering getting the #10 cans. The cheapest price I found is from Amazon & Walmart, but I'd rather give my money to a smaller more locally owned company if the price is reasonably close.
  • Any opinions on best practices when using dried instead of fresh mirepoix?
  • Any opinions on if I should stay away from Augason Farms?
  • Any opinions on brands that are better than Augason Farms (or considerably cheaper)?
  • Does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy them at a reasonably close price, that they have used?

#10 Can of Celery 18oz @ $18.36
#10 Can of Onion 23oz @ $22.34
#10 Can of Carrots 38oz @ $21.44
(All with Free shipping)

Edited to add link:
www.marthastewart.com

What Is Mirepoix?

Learn how to make mirepoix, a savory combination of celery, onion, and carrots. It's a classic base for stews, sauces, and more.
www.marthastewart.com www.marthastewart.com
 
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phloydius

phloydius

Veteran Member
Jeff B. said:
Have you found any “premixed”?
Click to expand...

I found one by a brand called Future Essentials. I did not do a comparison on value. That is what I originally looked up, but then after thinking about it, I decided that individual components would probably be better. I do have recipes that I add onion, carrots, OR celery to but not the others. Having the individual components would let me use them a dual purpose instead of stocking them plus the premixed.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
phloydius said:
I am looking for some advice on adding dried mirepoix to my panty.

I've recently moved on to adding some of the "nice to have's" to my pantry. Because of my food allergy and medical issues, I can not buy most of the ready-made long term food storage (like MRE's, Mountain House, etc.). One of the core items is that I make my own stock / broth using left over parts of carcasses. I can that stock, but it only lasts so long, and it is a core part of my diet (by desire, not requirement).

The next item on my list to change in my pantry is to store some dehydrated or freeze dried ingredients for mirepoix. It looks like Augason Farms seems to have a good product based on the reviews and I'm considering getting the #10 cans. The cheapest price I found is from Amazon & Walmart, but I'd rather give my money to a smaller more locally owned company if the price is reasonably close.
  • Any opinions on best practices when using dried instead of fresh mirepoix?
  • Any opinions on if I should stay away from Augason Farms?
  • Any opinions on brands that are better than Augason Farms (or considerably cheaper)?
  • Does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy them at a reasonably close price, that they have used?

#10 Can of Celery 18oz @ $18.36
#10 Can of Onion 23oz @ $22.34
#10 Can of Carrots 38oz @ $21.44
(All with Free shipping)
Click to expand...

I've ordered from Augason Farms a lot. Mostly #10 cans of dehydrated bell peppers. I'm very well pleased with their products. They seem to be out of stock on the bell peppers atm, though.
 
O

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
A question because I've never done this and I'm considering it for the same reason.

Could the freeze dried foods from the big cans be mixed and repackaged into mylar bags, with oxygen absorbers and sealed? I'm thinking way more smaller portion sizes. If so about how long would they be good for?
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Old Gray Mare said:
A question because I've never done this and I'm considering it for the same reason.

Could the freeze dried foods from the big cans be mixed and repackaged into mylar bags, with oxygen absorbers and sealed? I'm thinking way more smaller portion sizes. If so about how long would they be good for?
Click to expand...
Forever, if you can repack them without any contamination or moisture getting in. You want heavier mylar bags... at least 4 mil, if you plan on keeping it longterm.

Summerthyme
 
R

ron341

Contributing Member
Millwright said:
You might look at a freeze dryer.

100% control over the ingredients.
Click to expand...


100% agree with Millwright. Being able to control the ingredients in today’s world is very important. Currently we have 4 dozen eggs in our freeze dryer. We know exactly where the eggs came from. Yes they are an investment and there is a lot of work involved in prepping the food for freeze drying. We run ours just about 24/7. Only stopping for defrosting and cleaning. And we know exactly what is in our food/meals.cook normal maybe make double then put left overs in the FD. you can find things like Hamburger Helper for around $1.00 a box, freeze dry you can make 3-4 meals, Stove Top Stuffing add Chicken or Ham a couple of box’s you can make 12 meals. Just bought 1lb of ham sliced for under $4.00 iYou find things on sale and Freeze Dry it for later use.
 
phloydius

phloydius

Veteran Member
summerthyme said:
This isn't traditional Miripoix, but I've used this blend many times when in a hurry... Vegetable Soup Blend - 1 Lb

They are currently out of dried celery, but they've got some of the best prices on plain dehydrated stuff.

Summerthyme
Click to expand...

Thanks you.
Looked at the blend, but will have to pass because of the bell peppers.
The celery looks good, does it come in a bag, or how do they package it? Also, normally is it mostly stem with some leaves?
If you have used their onion flakes, how do you like it?
 
Millwright

Millwright

Knuckle Dragger
_______________
I try to dry things that will make other staples more palatable.

Redrying pasta, rice & such in finished dishes is a waste of energy.

They store well alone and can be added later.

Granted, there is something to be said for doing some ready meals, but not my main focus.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
phloydius said:
Thanks you.
Looked at the blend, but will have to pass because of the bell peppers.
The celery looks good, does it come in a bag, or how do they package it? Also, normally is it mostly stem with some leaves?
If you have used their onion flakes, how do you like it?
Click to expand...
Their quality has always been excellent. Yes, the celery is mostly/all stem pieces. It's sold in plastic bags. I just out the stuff in canning jars for storage.

Summerthyme
 
P

Pinecone

Has No Life - Lives on TB
summerthyme said:
This isn't traditional Miripoix, but I've used this blend many times when in a hurry... Vegetable Soup Blend - 1 Lb

They are currently out of dried celery, but they've got some of the best prices on plain dehydrated stuff.

Summerthyme
Click to expand...

The celery they sell comes from China. If you care about where the food comes from, it could be a problem. Personally, I don't do foods from China.
 
Loretta Van Riet

Loretta Van Riet

Trying to hang out with the cool kids.
Ok...I'm the dummy. Learned something new, today.

www.marthastewart.com

What Is Mirepoix?

Learn how to make mirepoix, a savory combination of celery, onion, and carrots. It's a classic base for stews, sauces, and more.
www.marthastewart.com www.marthastewart.com
 
goosebeans

goosebeans

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze said:
My DDIL dehydrates her own fruits and veggies, and vacumm seals them in quart canning jars with an O2 absorber.
Click to expand...

Me too. The dryer's been going almost 24/7 lately. I've been drying lots of leeks, stinging nettles and celery. I've tried carrots but have never been happy with their texture when reconstituted.
 
Macgyver

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
goosebeans said:
Me too. The dryer's been going almost 24/7 lately. I've been drying lots of leeks, stinging nettles and celery. I've tried carrots but have never been happy with their texture when reconstituted.
Click to expand...
Pretty much only good for soup. Or something thats got a lot of liquid and a long time on the stove.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
goosebeans said:
Me too. The dryer's been going almost 24/7 lately. I've been drying lots of leeks, stinging nettles and celery. I've tried carrots but have never been happy with their texture when reconstituted.
Click to expand...

Her food dehydrator is new, and she has been using it almost 24/7, too. She bought it this spring just to use to put up her garden veggies and fruit. She's saving her freezer space for catfish, hogs, and venison. She hasn't learned how to use a canner, yet. Maybe next year. She's young, and this is only her second year to have a garden of her own. She makes me proud!
 
phloydius

phloydius

Veteran Member
Ku Commando said:
Any chance you might want to make this item from fresh ingredients and just pressure can the liquid......I read that the veggies get tossed after making the mirepoix
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That is what I have done for a decade.

The liquid only lasts a couple to few years (how long is open to debate). I don't have the space to make more than about 50-75 quarts of it at this time (but am trying to resolve that, but it requires buying a new property) and it will be consumed long before it expires. There is a long window of time where if those items can't be easily bought fresh (or just go up in price dramatically) that I may run out of stock. The dehydrated veggies can last 15 to 25+ years sealed (at least according to some sites).

Although I can make the stock without mirepoix if I have to, but it tastes so much better with it.
 
N

night driver

ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
Any big production kitchen (Think Summerthyme) has a LARGE steel bowl of this stuff because it literally is a base f r EVERYTHING. Just like "Kitchen Napalm" (a roux). The Mirepoix is in the BIGsteel bowl, and the Roux is in a container with Nuculear warning symbols. You only grab or spill it on you ONCE!!!!!!
 
phloydius

phloydius

Veteran Member
Dennis Olson said:
First, are you a woman? If not, you got no business wearing panties. If you are, is the stuff a deodorant or something?

:p
Click to expand...

Apparently my PC may identify as an ENFP. I'm gonna suggest I wrote it correctly, and autocorrect changed it. Either that or there is a screw loose somewhere between the keyboard and the chair.
 
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