Summer is behind us, but that doesn't mean the end of eating outdoors — or the end of packing food in jars for waste-free, portable meals. This chili and cornbread combo in a jar looks like the perfect meal for a cozy autumn picnic.
To make these, you just fill the bottom of the jar with your favorite chili and top it with a scoop of cornbread batter. The jars go into the oven, heating up the chili and baking the cornbread into a golden cap on top. All you need to bring along is a little butter, some spoons and maybe a thermos full of something warm for an easy outdoor lunch.
This idea could be adapted with biscuit or pie dough on top and your favorite stew on the bottom, like an individual pot pie. What's your favorite cool-weather stew and bread combination?
• See more: Chili and Cornbread in a Jar at Giver's Log
Related: Have Jar, Will Travel: Best Ideas for Meals in a Jar
(Images: Giver's Log)
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what a great idea, love it. What is the temperature of the oven, the same as the batter directions?
Ditto to smooshmallow's question!
What a cute idea! Definitely going to try this. In the first picture, is that maple syrup and butter on top though?? Not too sure about maple syrup over my chili!
Yes, the oven temperature is whatever your cornbread recipe calls for. Since the portions are so small, the baking time will be less than a full pan of cornbread -- I'd start checking for doneness about 15 minutes early.
the maple syrup is over the cornbread, silly!
I’d use wide mouth mason jars for this, awesome idea I’ll have to try. And I believe its honey over the cornbread.
Would this be safe to reheat in a microwave? The cornbread would not act like a cork, and thus blow, when reheated, would it?
If it's safe then I might be able to take this to work as a x-mas treat...
Do people really enjoy eating things out of jars? I get annoyed just dealing with the mayonnaise and peanut butter jars. And then you have big clinking empty dirty glass jars left to carry home from the picnic. Or is the idea that you recycle them in the park or whatever?
Guess I'm more of a tiffin/tupperware fan for no-waste...
This is such a cute idea! I'm not sure if I'd use jars. Maybe just some clear oven proof bowls to see the layers since I probably wouldn't do it for a picnic...just a fun lunch at home. Thanks for posting this! :)
Bronzeager (and others!) - canning jars aren't recyclable, just reusable (they're tempered or something to withstand the high temperatures of canning).
I made these and they were SOOO good! I even made it completely vegan, check them out here...
http://myfitdecision.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/his-plateher-plate-3-chili-cornbread-jars/