Description
Straining System Use and Care:
When making broths and sauces that you want to be perfectly clear or smooth, running the liquid through a clean tightly woven piece of fabric is an efficient and effective way to do this. Traditionally, the cook will take a roll of cheesecloth, cut it into several pieces to layer it into a sieve or colander and force the liquid through the cloth so the food particles get held back in the cloth and the liquid is now clear or smooth as desired. Our Straining System makes this task easier for anyone!
First, put an empty clean canning jar that is large enough to hold the amount of liquid you will be straining on a flat work surface. Open the fabric-straining bag and lower it into the jar. For virtually all canning jars, the mouth opening of the jar is a standard size regardless of the volume the jar can hold. Roll the edges of the top of the open bag down over the neck of the jar. The bag should be suspended inside of the jar and the overhang of the bag opening should be held open around the neck. Now, place the funnel on the top of the jar. The funnel is designed to fit standard canning jars so it will fit perfectly.
Second, slowly pour the liquid you wish to strain into the funnel so the liquid falls into the bag. Be careful to pour slowly, because the liquid will need to go through the tight weave of the cotton bag. If the liquid is thick, it may take several partial pours to make sure it does not back up and overflow the top of the funnel. Check occasionally with your fingers to see if the liquid is nearing the mouth of the jar. If it is coming close to overflowing the jar, take the funnel off the jar for now. Gather the top of the bag and twist it gently, holding the twisted top in the bag with one hand, and use the other hand to gently massage the liquid through the cloth and into the jar.
If there is more liquid left to strain, simply unwind the bag opening and place it once again on the neck of another jar. Replace the funnel and pour another portion into the jar until it once again nears the top of the jar or until the liquid you want to strain is gone.
When you are finished, remove the funnel and set it aside. Massage as much of the precious liquid as you can through the bag and into the jar. Once the bag is empty (it may be a bit lumpy inside depending on the food particles that remain), take the used bag to your sink. Turn the bag inside out and allow any food particles that are in the bag to rinse down the drain or compost them. The bags can be washed by hand or in a clothes washer and dried and used again and again.
