I think we already discussed that an empty Fruit Cup + Mason Jar = delicious snacks and lunches! And even breakfast or dessert! Well now introducing the Masonable! It is the Mason Jar equivalent to a Lunchable. Check this out those fruit cups fit on top of a wide mouth Mason jar too. Now you can pack your crackers on top of your Tuna Salad, Chicken Salad, Egg Salad, or Deli Meat and Cheese. You can make your own Mason jar lunchable or a Masonable.
You might ask why not just put your crackers in a food storage bag? Well they could easily be crushed by a heavy soda can or bottle of water in your lunch bag. With the mason jar and fruit cup they have their own protective bubble. The crackers arrive to your lunch destination in their original shape. Doesn't that make meal prep a little exciting?
Well when I started thinking about lunches that included crackers, the first lunch that came to mind was tuna salad. So that is what I did first. It worked perfectly! I used our family recipe but you could use any recipe you like. Just fill the jar, top with the lid, stack up round crackers you love, cover with an inverted fruit cup and the ring. You are ready to go. So easy!
Tuna Salad Masonable
Serves 1
Supplies
1 wide mouth half pint Mason jar
1 empty fruit cup
Ingredients
8 round crackers
1 cup Tuna Salad
Directions
Fill mason jar with tuna salad. Place lid on top of jar. Stack crackers on lid. Place fruit cup inverted on top of crackers and lid. Add mason jar ring to secure everything in place. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Many, many years ago when Lunchables first came out, dear sister's favorite was one that came with a little packet of herb mayo. They do not sell anything like that today and she still mentions it now and then. So when I was thinking about making these Masonables I wanted to include one with a sauce. So here it is a Ham & Cheese Masonable with a Dill Mayo. This mayo is delicious with ham and cheese. The dill and mustard makes it zesty. It is also great with turkey and cheese too.
Ham and Cheese Masonable
Serves 1
Supplies
1 wide mouth pint Mason jar
2 empty fruit cups
Ingredients
8 round crackers
2 slices of cheese, quartered
4 slices of ham, halved and folded
Dill Mayo (recipe below)
Directions
Fill mason jar with slices of ham and cheese. Place one fruit cup in the top of the jar and spoon in the dill mayo. Place lid on top of the cup. Stack crackers on lid. Place fruit cup inverted on top of crackers and lid. Add mason jar ring to secure everything in place. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Dill Mayo
Serves 1
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. grainy Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp. dill, dry
Directions
Combine well and serve. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Linking to:
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This is amazing and so creative. I am effeminately using your idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by. Have a great day!
DeleteDid you really mean to say effeminately?! :)
DeleteLoL Maybe that's effective immediately definitely? =)
DeleteI love this! I was wishing there were an easy way to add fruit to a yogurt jar without it mixing in first! I'm excited, too! Thanks for linking up with us at Throwback Thursday!
ReplyDeleteMollie
Thank you Mollie! Glad your excited too, I hope this tip helps your yogurt too.
DeleteKudos to you. What a great idea. Must share on FB.
ReplyDeleteThank you Wanda! So glad you found me and I so appreciate you sharing my tip with your Facebook friends.
DeleteThis is genius!!!! I am going to pack these next week when my son has swim lessons. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you Adria! Enjoy your summer and thanks so much for leaving such a nice comment.
DeleteThis is really a keeper, clever idea. I have my fruit cups already saved and waiting for something creative to do with them...this is creative and useful and green all rolled into one. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Noddynani! You will be amazed as to how many ideas you will think of now that you know the trick. I severely sprained my ankle and can't shop and cook right now. But I will be back with more ideas soon. Keep saving those fruit cups. :) Have a great 4th of July!
DeleteI love this. You have changed my lunch making plans. Can't wait
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting and leaving such kind words. Happy lunching!
DeleteOoh! Chopped liver and Passover crackers. You just made Passover lunches soooo easy!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delicious! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment with your idea. Such a great one! Here's to many happy Passover lunches in your future.
DeleteThat's a great idea !
ReplyDeleteThank you Patricia! Have a great Fourth of July!
DeleteNow I have to go by fruit cups! I don't typically buy them, I make my own by buying the big can and splitting it into small gladwear bowls
ReplyDeleteOh no! So sorry! :) LOL! It will be worth it I promise. I can tell you they wash easily and stack nicely. You will only need a few or a dozen. ;) Thanks so much much for posting and giving me a good laugh. Have a wonderful 4th!
DeleteThanks for visiting and leaving such a nice comment Lily. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome idea!! Thanks so much sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlotte! Happy 4th of July too!
DeleteHi. You have an amazing idea. I used to save this dole plastic containers like 9 years ago and thought of using them as a gelatin mould but have never used them. They are still here though. I'm kinda excited to try them but my only concerned is the ones that i have right now are they still safe to use? How many times do you use them before throwing them away? Appreciate if you will enlighten me on this. Thanks for this great tip.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great question Russelyn. I would look for a number on the containers you have. That will let you know what kind of plastic you are dealing with. Then I would search for information about that type of plastic. The containers I have are code 5. Which is generally considered one of the safer plastics. It is widely accepted in recycling programs too. I typically prefer glass to plastic when microwaving. So I would caution you to do the research before placing plastics in the microwave. I use the cups until they show wear or scratches then I place them in the recycling. I hope this helps answer your question. This link may help you identify the codes on your plastics. http://www.healthychild.org/know-your-plastics/
DeleteThis is an awesome idea! My son is gluten free so having the bubble around the GF delicate crackers is great!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ashley! I hope this helps make many GF meals and snacks for your sweet boy. Have a great week!
DeleteOh my goodness. I LOVE this idea. I am totally going to use this idea to pre-prep banana pudding with wafers as dessert for the kids so the wafers don't get soggy:) thanks for the awesome tip!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea Bella! I have plenty of dessert ideas I am going to try when I am back on my feet. Did you know you can use the fruit cup as an open dome with just the ring? You don't need the lid part! That way you have room for icing or whipped cream. Perfect for desserts! Thanks so much for sharing your dessert idea with us.
DeleteAnd to think I spent more than what a whole package of fruit cups cost on one of these made commercially! Oh well, now I know I don't need to buy more. :)
ReplyDeleteKim, I almost bought one so many times. So glad we have discovered the fruit cups. I just hope they never change their packaging. I would be so disappointed. Have a great week full of simple meal prep. Thanks so much for visiting!
DeleteSuch an awesome idea! My Dad is in hospital and this will be a great thing to bring up for him! Truly grateful that you shared this! Bless you!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear your Dad is in the hospital. I hope he is home soon. When my Dad was in the hospital I made salads for Mom's lunch with the cup inside the jar for dressing. It worked great she didn't have to go down for lunch, she could stay with him. Sending prayers for you and your Dad.
DeleteI'd probably try this with tupperware instead of reusing plastic cups; my dad is an engineer and I get earfuls about how a lot of plastic containers start to break down and get into food after first use. But this is a great idea for snacks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Corina, I hope you find something that is Dad approved. It is hard to know what plastics are safe to use. So much information out there. I suggest everyone do the research and decide what is best for them. Never use unidentified plastics.
DeleteLove this idea! I will certainly be trying it, but as a teacher I want to point out that this is not a good idea for kids' school lunches. As a 1st grade teacher, I can see this going very badly! Broken glass and cut children, oh my! But for adults, this is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like the idea! I agree glass is not for everyone. Parents and schools should make their own decisions as to if this is something for their children. I have a lot of ideas for adult snacks and lunches I will share in the future. I also have some ideas on how to protect the mason jars from breaking too. I look forward to sharing them with all in the future. Thanks for taking the time to visit and leave a comment.
Deleteuse empty peanut butter jars instead of glass mason jars. They will take the mason rings and flats.
DeleteIf anyone can come up with a similar idea without using glass, I'd love to hear it. I work in a prison and we can't bring glass or metal in to.the institutions.
ReplyDeleteSomeone suggested a plastic peanut butter container. I found a 28 oz store brand peanut butter container at home. The fruit cup does fit. Unfortunately the wide mouth lid and ring was too big so you cannot use a fruit cup as a dome. But the good news is it does fit inside. I hope this helps. Have a great day!
DeleteYou couldn't do the double ones but for just crackers or just dip put in cup and use original peanut butter lid. Everything would be in jar with no dome.
DeleteJust use one add on by putting in fruit cup then use peanut butter jar lid. You just wouldn't have a dome but all plastic for safety.
DeleteThanks Susan! I do think that would work.
DeleteI do believe they sell plastic mason jars. might be worth looking into
DeleteHi, What an awesome idea ! I know the first thing I am going to use it for...I love cottage cheese but it has to be 'fixed' my way...I will put the cottage cheese in the jar then I will put 1chopped green onion and either bean spouts or alfalfa spouts and about a tsp. of sunflower seeds stuffed in one fruit cup and then I use Italian salad dressing on it so I will put it in the other fruit cup . Mmmmm it is so good !!!! Try it... Thank you . I have several other ideas churning in my brain just while I am typing this...Thanks so much...have a great afternoon...
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delicious! I just discovered how tasty cottage cheese is in savory applications. I will definitely give it a try. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Please come back and share more ideas you come up with. Have a great night!
DeleteBrilliant! Simply brilliant!!! And so much fun, too! I've been trying to figure out how I could make fun lunchables at home and you've done it! My mind is going wild with ideas for this. I may even be able to get rid of several of my extra plastic bowl containers by going with this. SO MANY POSSIBILITIES!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Tammy! I can hear the excitement in you words. I am so glad I am not the only one. :) Thanks so much for visiting and your words of excitement. Please come back and share what you put in your masonable. Have a great night!
DeleteThis is wonderful! We buy tuna cups at the store but this is great since you can use your favorite recipe. Thanks for sharing the ideas!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you like the idea. I agree with you there is something about your favorite tuna salad or a family recipes. Others are great but you crave the one your grew up eating. Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment. Have a great night!
DeleteThat's the most clever idea I've seen in a long time!!!! LOVE IT!
DeleteThanks so much!
DeleteWhat a cool idea! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment Gert!
DeleteThis is an amazing idea. I will put my salad greens in the jar, I will put my dressing in the bottom cup and my croutons in the top cup. Throw it in the lunch box with a container of yogurt and off to work. Fantastic idea!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula! Enjoy these summer salad days. :)
DeleteThank you so so much!!!! I have such a hard time coming up with fun/easy dairy and gluten free meals for my two that need that.... And not be too unfair with the three that don't! This is TOTALLY easy to adjust and they will all love!!! Thank you!!!!
ReplyDeleteKristi, I am so glad this is going to make meals easier for you and your children. I can tell you I have found round corn chips and rice crackers that fit perfectly in the little fruit cup on top. So many fun things you can take in a masonable. Thanks for taking the time to share your comment. Have a great week!
DeleteNow to convince my mom to not their away the empties when we eat fruit cups, lol. This will make it easier when I need to take lunch with me!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carmen, Watch your mom close! She would be throwing away valuable lunch building materials. Make her lunch just once. Maybe she will be convinced then. :) Good luck!
DeleteWe don't eat that kind of fruit in a cup, is there anything else that works??
ReplyDeleteLisa, Libby's makes individual veggies in a cup. I think they sell green beans and corn maybe. I have not bought them yet. So I can't say for sure if they will work but it might be worth looking into. I hope this helps. :)
DeletePerhaps applesauce? I believe they are the same size.
DeleteI just tried this but the Mason jar ring won't screw on, it keeps slipping and pops right off...have you had any problems?
ReplyDeleteOh no! No I have not had any problems. I will tell you I am using Kerr wide mouth jars and Dole fruit cups. I have not tested other brands. I was using what I had on hand. A standard size mason jar with a regular lid size will not work. I tried jello pudding cups in the standard jars and I had the problem you are describing. I hope they have not changed the fruit cup design. That would be extremely disappointing. So sorry you are having problems. :(
DeleteI was having this problem but I had del Monte fruit cups. Wondering if having dole makes the difference.
Deleteneysnicole, Some people have said the Del Monte fruit cups do not work. But I know the dole brand does. Some have said that Motts apple sauce and the individual Hidden Valley Ranch cups work too. I tried the Motts so I know that will work. I hope you find one that works for you soon. Have a great Saturday!
DeleteI love this idea! I am a bit of a "tree-hugger" and feel guilty using zip top baggies all the time. Problem solved, thanks to you! Thanks so much.
ReplyDelete"Tree-hugger", I am so glad this will help. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave such a nice comment. Have a great day!
DeleteHas any one found anything to fit standard jars as opposed to large mouth size? I bought the standard jars before I saw this was for wide jars.
ReplyDeleteHi! Charles, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I am sorry you have a bunch of jars you can't use with the fruit cups. I tried Jello pudding cups in the standard jars. They fit but the edge of the cup is thicker and I could not secure the lid. I don't know if another brand of pudding cup might work. Someone did say that if you place the lid white side up it adds a little more space in the ring. I have not tried it yet. Perhaps someone else will have a suggestion or solution. I sure hope so.
DeleteThanks Denise. Yes hopefully someone else has found a solution.
DeleteI saw this on a friend's Facebook feed. I work at home so you would think it would be easy to make lunch/snacks but I don't do it. I am going to have to make some of these to use during the week! Thanks for the great idea.
ReplyDeleteDenise, I am so glad Facebook lead you here. I work from home often too. I started using the mason jars and fruit cups for snacks first. I did DIY Cheese Breaks and Hummus and Veggies. So easy to make a bunch then I know they are in the frig waiting on me. I hope these ideas help. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Deleteawesome idea; my sister actually told me about this so I looked you up
ReplyDeleteThank you! Tracy, I am so glad you did. You are so great to take the time to comment too. I hope you find a lot of great recipes you would like to try. Have a great day and thank your sister for me. ;)
DeleteThis is a great idea. My husband has to drive almost all day and he is so tired of sandwiches. I'm trying to think of some other ideas. If you have any other ideas I would love to hear them
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to ask your question. I have tons of ideas to come. You can use mason jars and fruit cups to pack so many things. Some people have used them to pack cereal and milk, peanut butter and celery, yogurt and fruit. The possibilities are endless. For instance you can pack round melba toast, corn chips, rice crackers, even a peeled hard boiled egg in the fruit cup. They all fit! You can use the fruit cup without the lid so that you have an open dome on top off the jar. That gives you more room to pack more food in each jar. I plan to try meatloaf with mash potatoes on top real soon. For your husband you might think of packing multiple jars in a cooler. Breakfast(yogurt, fruit and granola or mini bagels and cream cheese spread), lunch(grilled chicken bites with buffalo style dip or grilled steak bites with a horseradish dip and a salad jar) and snacks(a 7 layer dip with chips or spinach dip with veggies). So many options. Maybe others will post their ideas here too. I hope you find something that makes your husband's lunches very exciting. Take care!
DeleteI tried this and the fruit cup was too big. Did you cut it down?
ReplyDeleteHi! Laura, No I did not cut it down or alter it in any way. I am sorry it did not fit your jar. Are you using a wide mouth mason jar? Mason jars and lids come in two sizes. Standard is 2-5/8" dia. Wide mouth is 3-1/4" dia. The fruit cup is 3-1/8" dia. You will need the wide mouth jars. I will tell you I am using Kerr wide mouth jars and Dole fruit cups. I have tested Motts apple sauce cups and they work too. I hope this helps. I am sorry you ran into trouble on your first try. I hope you will find a combo that works for you. :)
DeleteI did try the wide mouth. I gave it a shot with a Motts cup and it fit great. Thank you for the response.
DeleteYour welcome, I am so glad the Motts cup worked. I am curious now if there is a lot of little differences in the jars and cups. I have some experimenting to do.
DeleteJust found you and love these ideas.Lunchables are just prohibitive and you end up like parts of them.
ReplyDeleteI noticed a comment about the glass and not being suitable for children or certain institutions and did a internet search ... there are plastic mason jar/drinking glasses and accessories. Like dressing cups. Here's a few I found on Amazon (ebay and others also have them)
-BPA Free 32 Oz. (1 Liter) Wide Mouth High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) White Plastic Jars with Pressurized Screw Top Lid (Set of 4) For Hot And Cold Items, Food, Ice Cream, Salad, Liquid, MULTI-USE
-16 Oz. Wide Mouth Plastic Jars Crystal Clear ( 6 PACK )
-Plastic Mason Jars 16oz. (4) - Party Supplies
-Pack of 6 Crystal Clear PET Plastic Wide Mouth Jars with Pressurized White Screw on cap lids…
-Aladdin Classic Mason Salad Jar 34oz, Berry
-Cuppow Wide, Pink BNTO Canning Jar Lunchbox Adaptor - 6oz.
-Cuppow Pink Regular Canning Jar Drinking Lid
-Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jar Infuser and Lid
I am a teacher and thank you for all the ideas.
Thanks so much Maureen! Glad you are here with this info on other container that might work at school. I look forward to seeing if they work with metal lids and rings. Thanks again for taking the time to comment and share these great ideas.
DeleteOne other thing there is a larger "fruit cup" out there. Musselman's has a big cup apple sauce. Sorry I'm so wordy.
ReplyDeleteOoooo! A big fruit cup sounds awesome. I will be on the look out. Thanks, Maureen!
DeleteWanted to let you know that the Bi-Lo where I live has the Musselman's Honey Cinnamon Applesauce is on clearance. Not sure why, may be change of bar code. It's s great deal, I bought all they had left. :) The plain applesauce didn't appear to be on clearance. Yet?
DeleteThanks Maureen! That is an awesome share.
DeleteI had another idea. I love Gyros thought you could use a cookie cutter to cut the pita bread, cut meat, cheese and veggies, small cup of tzatziki sauce. You've really got me thinking of what dishes that I enjoy that canbe served this away. Thank you
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think a like Maureen! That is on my to do list. I think that would make an awesome lunch. Just have to perfect a tzatziki sauce. I have never been able to make one as good as the Greek restaurants. Let me know if you try it. And thanks so much for sharing your ideas here. I plan to start posting Masonable Mondays real soon and do something new each week. Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteOne more thing if you like Gyros try this older post for Roast Beef and Cucumber Lettuce Wraps. They are really good and easy to make. http://soupspiceeverythingnice.blogspot.com/2014/04/roast-beef-and-cucumber-lettuce-wrap.html
DeleteWhat great ideas!!! I am very much looking forward to Masonable Mondays! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! I so glad you have visited my blog. And so appreciative that you left a comment. See you on Masonable Mondays!
DeleteTHANK YOU for this post! I try to re-use packaging for my lunch and snacks at school every day - I teach pre-k and hope to model healthy foods packed in fun ways that are earth friendly! I recently broke my jaw and will be going back to school on a soft food diet; some of these ideas will work WELL for me and your info has prompted me to think a few others! Again, THANKS!
ReplyDeleteJulie, I am so sorry to hear about your jaw! I hope you have a quick recovery. Thanks so much for leaving a comment. I am glad you like the idea and think you can use it for school. Some of my favorite people are teachers. The world is lucky to have people like you. Since you need soft foods I will tell you about one of my ideas. I plan to try grilled veggies like zucchini, eggplant and red peppers with a garlic and herb ricotta spread. I hope that is another idea you can use. Good luck in the new school year and packing your masonables.
DeleteGood idea! I was just beginning to consider oven roasted vegetables since I have a bunch of mini sweet peppers that need to be used! Even if I still have to put them in the blender to eat them, oven roasting with some spices can give them good flavor. Hope your ankle is healing well too! (was that a recent post? now I don't remember!)
DeleteThanks Julie, My ankle is improving. Still in a ankle boot but no crutches! Won't be long now. Take care!
DeleteAmazingly clever. My son told me he no longer wants to get Lunchable because they are unhealthy. You just changed things with a healthy alternative!! Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I am so glad this idea will help. I look at everything different now. I look at it and think will it travel well in a Masonable? So many ideas. Please come back for Masonable Mondays. Have a great night!
DeleteI love this! I have found that KozyShack pudding cups fit in regular (not wide mouth) mason jars. My jars are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! Thanks you so much Susan! I love that you found something that works with the regular mason jars. I am very excited! Can't wait to try the Kozy Shack cups myself. Thanks again for taking the time to comment to let all of us know.
DeleteIt's funny ... I'm not sure whether to thank you or curse you. Every time I see a recipe I start thinking "How can I make that into a Masonable." LOL I've found lots that would work great for work.
ReplyDeleteThank you. :)
This made me smile. :) I know how you feel, I have about four pages of ideas to try. One night I had to get out of bed to write one down. Check out my latest post. http://soupspiceeverythingnice.blogspot.com/2016/08/masonable-mondays-2-scrambles.html I made breakfast scrambles this week. The Broccoli one was my favorite! Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Have a great week!
Deletebrilliant!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Kathy
DeleteDid you know there are insulators like the one we all use of plastic bottles/cans of soda and such?
ReplyDeleteEco Insulator™ Reversible Blue/Black Quart, 1 count
Details
http://www.freshpreserving.com/eco-insulator-reversible-blue%2Fblack-quart-1-count-1036151.html
Item #1036151 Came across while looking for canning equip. These might help prevent breakage in transport.
Thanks Maureen! Those are great. Thanks so much for finding them and sharing with all of us.
DeleteI tried this today and the ring wouldn't close over the reused fruit cup.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry it did not close. I will tell you I use Dole fruit cups. I have tested Motts apple sauce cups and they will work. Someone said Target Market Pantry does not work. They said the Aldi brand does. I hope this helps. I am sorry you ran into trouble on your first try. I hope you will find a cup that works soon. :)
DeleteAw, geez. I was just about to donate all my jars! Not now! I have enough wide & regular jars to make....oh....about a months worth of lunches and dinners for myself. Woo hoo! New project! The applesauce cups will form the lower "bowl" to begin with! Ta muchly!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. I think I need a wide mouth set dedicated just to #Masonables. I like to store homemade dressings, stock, hummus and almond butter in jars. If I am not careful I am looking in the frig for jars to empty for Masonables. Donate the standard size and save those wide mouth jars. Have fun!
DeleteI bought everything listed but for some reason things aren't fitting. Dole fruit cups have that protruding ring before the actual ring and the metal ring won't fit over it. The store brand applesauce cup has no protrusion but the cup pops right out once secured. Which brand did you buy?
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear you are having trouble. I have had success with Kerr wide mouth jars in 1/2 pint, pint, and quart size jars. I also used the Dole 100% juice mandarin orange cups. I also found that the Mott's applesauce works it is smaller in diameter than the jar so they sometimes sit a little crooked. I found that the Musselman's applesauce works too. It is bigger than the Mott's and sits better in the jar. Try reading through the comments others have shared some brands that work or do not work. I hope you find a combo that works for you. Good luck! I hope you will try again. Have a great day!
DeleteBrilliant! Thanks for sharing your idea.
ReplyDelete