if you have a dehydrator? I'm drying herbs at the moment and the house smells so delicious. I've done fruit andonions and garlic (mostly to add to bread/bagels). Anyone tried anything different that's been a success?
jag5,
Jan 29, 8:02am
I am doing chillis and beans at the moment. Will be doing carrots and tomatoes soon. Have done herbs. Never thought of doing garlic. How do you prep it? Could be very handy
kermitnz1,
Jan 29, 8:36am
Thanks guys, I forgot about my dehydrator! ! ! ! I will have to ping it out of the cupboard.
I would like to know how to do garlic too? Also do you find that it keeps very well?
maysept,
Jan 29, 10:49am
Garlic- I just seperate it into individual cloves, peel and pulse it in the food processor (not to much or it will just go mushy). Then spread it out on the tray (the solid liners used for fruit leathers are best). When it's absolutely, completely dry, you can just store the bits in a (sterilised) jar , and I also crush some of it with a mortar/pestle to make garlic powder. I use it in breads, bagels, soups, stews etc. and it keeps really well , as long as you make sure it is BONE DRY before you 'bottle' it. Good for the middle of winter when NZ garlic is usually about $13 a kg.
maysept,
Jan 29, 10:50am
I've never done carrots- any special prep needed for that? Cheers!
jag5,
Jan 29, 2:18pm
For carrots, they do need pre cooking slightly. I dice them small, then boil for about 1-2 minutes, drain then put in drier. Once again they have to be bone dry, no moisture in the bag, or they go mouldy, as I found out last year. BUT... for any dried goods, to prevent them going off if moisture gets in the bag, (and everytime you open it some does get in), store your dried foods in the freezer. Yep. . works great. I have had no more mouldy dried foods.
jag5,
Jan 30, 5:08pm
Have done the garlic. Blardy brilliant! ! ! ! Will be doing a lot more for sure. And will do some onions too.
I have courgettes diced and partially cooked to do over night, along with some beans.
allspices,
Jan 30, 5:27pm
Ohhh, WOW! I have never thought of asking for a thread that addressed dehydrating. I have not used mine and its many layers and mesh inserts as well as I should. I have a grapefruit candy made from grapefruit skins and (heaps of sugar) That she put in brackets because of those who deny sugar. I won't put it until tomorrow. Will welcome regular visits to this thread. Keep it going! ! ! !
kermitnz1,
Jan 30, 9:08pm
I'm as keen as mustard to see this thread keep going too allspices, I haven't used my dehydrator apart from drying apples, so I'd love to read what and how others do things so I can get way more use from mine! ! !
midnightgirl,
Jan 30, 10:33pm
Maysept. . Great thread, thanks would like to know how you do your onions. Keep it going...
emilyrose,
Jan 31, 9:11am
I've done feijoa and apple blended together and dried on a solid tray. very very nice! and also Banana Nut Brittle from Snack it Out by Donalee Halkett... (small book on healthy snacks for kids)... 2. 5 cups pitted dates, chopped and soaked 8 ripe bananas peeled 1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal 3 cups chopped almonds 3 cups coconut Blend drained dates, bananas and flaxseed meal until smooth. Stir in nuts and coconut. Evenly spread on solid sheet and dehydrate until crispy. Delicious!
I want to buy more solid trays but don't know who to buy them off. I like the idea of freezing and then putting in lunch boxes... thanks
jag5,
Jan 31, 9:36am
What brand is your dehydrator? Find their website and they should be able to sell you more. I know Ezi Dry do, as I got more trays and things off them last year.
maysept,
Jan 31, 2:25pm
Onions I do the same way as the garlic, don't chop too fine or it will go mushy, and make sure it's bone dry before you 'bottle' it. Very verstaile and useful for those times when you want oninon flavour, but don't want to have to cop fresh onion. I find the dried onion works better in bread doughs than fresh onion. Happy drying!
amazing_grace,
Jan 31, 6:26pm
So far I have dehydrated mushrooms that we picked in the fields, and tomatoes, and plums ... . all just lovely... see my blog... www.gardeningincromwell. blogspot.com... .
fogs,
Jan 31, 6:54pm
I have done strawberries, cherries (yummy), rasberrys kiwifruit and then put them in porridge in winter to have a fruity porrige. I also do onions beans peas tomatoes plums apples, Mushrooms work really well and have more flavour than fresh when added to casseroles etc
jills3,
Jan 31, 7:11pm
just bought my friend a dehydrator, and she drys all sorts of meat as a treat for her dog.
sazrim,
Jan 31, 7:43pm
what great ideas! ! Ive only ever used mine for drying herbs. Have to try the garlic thing definitely, the garlic in foodtown is always $19. 95 a kilo eek! Good thing nzgarlic is cheaper at the veggie shop, but nz garlic is hard to find, its usually the imported stuff available. MMM cherries sound yum as fogs! Have to grab some from the shop and give it a go. How do you prep them, just pit and put them in or do I have to do something else?
kermitnz1,
Jan 31, 9:01pm
Great ideas, thank you heaps guys. I will definitely be using mine more now too. I do have to get a few more trays too as well as a couple of the flat insert/trays for fruit leather and stuff.
midnightgirl,
Feb 2, 2:19pm
jills3 Neat idea drying treats for dogs as they are so expensive. Tell me does it not stink the house out, I am a bit afraid to try... And please what sort of meat does your friend dry for her dog. Many thanks... Some really lovely ideas here thanks all...
sonshine,
Aug 25, 2:18pm
Hi I would like to revive this thread as i just bought a secondhand deydrator (EziDri Snackmakers). I have only tried kiwifruit and we really love them. anyone like to share some nice tips on dehydrating?
makespacenow,
Jan 23, 5:13am
I di veg chippies for kids.dried parsnips carrots beetroot sweet potato.plus jerky.also fruit and fruit leathers.kids love dried berries with their cornflakes.
samanya,
Jan 23, 7:57am
Anyone dried runner beans! I froze excess last year & it wasn't successful.
makespacenow,
Jan 23, 8:29am
did you blanch them first!
samanya,
Jan 23, 8:56am
Yes, I blanched them, but they were tough when cooked & yet they were picked at theirpeak.
hazedaze,
Jan 23, 10:51am
I did lots of beans for the first time a few seasons back (with my old dehyd), and although they dried well, I'm wasn't fussed on them either.but tough and chewy! Can someone please put a link here to show me what the 'fruit leather' tray! looks like please.I've just acquired a Sunbeam Harvest Fresh Dehyd. and the booklet says to use the bottom solid tray for leathers.There wasn't anything else inside it!Thankyou.
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.