For those who asked, I use half-pint (8 oz.) jars for fruit pies, and my favorites are the Kerr straight-sided ones, but I also use Wal-Mart's Mainstays brand because they are easy to get and only cost about 50 cents each, so I can afford to give them away to elderly neighbors. For the savory pies, I use the new Ball Elite pints. They are short and wide, and they provide a nice full meal. I have also used the empty 13 ounce canned chicken cans (bought in bulk at Sam's Club) when I didn't have enough jars for chicken or beef pot pies. I make the pies by pressing strips of raw pastry dough on the bottom and sides of the jars, and cut a round for the top using the ring of a two-part Mason jar lid. I then put the lid on a jar and freeze, or if I'm using the cans, I freeze them all on a baking sheet then vacuum seal them in quart bags made for that purpose. They never get freezer burn that way; I highly recommend it! With 3 sons, I have made lots of MMREs over the years, including these. Mom's Meals, Ready To Eat are a way of life for us. Perfect for evening meetings, long tiring days, late appointments and no time to cook, these are little lifesavers to make any day pie day. Start them in a cold oven when frozen in a jar, minus the lid, letting them heat up gradually so there's no thermal shock causing breakage. I've never lost one! Tomorrow I'm canning my homemade salsa in half-pints which also become the individual serving bowls for a chips and salsa appetizer! I often serve soup heated in my Ball Elite pints, and I make ticking-fabric baskets to put them in, which are microwave safe to act as a pot holder/bowl cozy, and which insulates the bowl and keeps my wood table safe.

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