Some embodiments of the invention include a food processing retort apparatus. The food processing retort apparatus may comprise a substantially sealable housing, which may include a plate and a port. In some embodiments, the plate may include a plurality of empty portions, each plurality of empty portions having an elongated portion and a plurality of cutouts. In some embodiments, the elongated portions may have a first width and the cutouts may have a second width, such that the first width is greater than the second width. In some embodiments, the port may allow entry of a heating liquid into the housing to process contents within the retort.
