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Food Dehydrating

Discussion in 'Crops & Gardens' started by John Brunner, Aug 31, 2020.

  1. Don Alaska

    Don Alaska Supreme Member
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    Some varieties even grow here...well in this area. I have tried them here and they really struggle but a few miles away they DO grow. If thy are too close to a building they will get under the siding and into the attic and such. My kiwis haven't borne any fruit but I have two sons who have grown them very successfully in Alaska.
     
    #181
  2. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    Yes, and dehydrated plums are called prunes, but a dehydrated fig is still a fig even though it is a figging prune-looking thing. o_O
     
    #182
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  3. Tony Page

    Tony Page Veteran Member
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    I was a big fan of Mother Earth News, recently I canceled my subscription because I don't get around very well and don't Garden. Here's a link to this site to dehydrate tomatoes.

    https://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/different-methods-dehydrating-tomatoes-ze0z1811zmcg/
     
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  4. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    #184
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  5. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    Why not just slice the watermelon thin and dry it that way just to see how it tastes? I made fruit roll ups a couple of times but they did not last the week. kids.
     
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  6. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I have read that watermelon contains too much water to dehydrate, but my Excalibur manual gives instructions on it. Right now I have some key lime yogurt drops and black cherry yogurt drops in the thing.
     
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  7. Kate Ellery

    Kate Ellery Supreme Member
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    Yum that’s one thing I’ve never tried to dry is yoghurt ….what did you add for the lime ? @John Brunner
     
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  8. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I bought a key lime flavored yogurt and a black cherry flavored yogurt. I've done blueberry as well. The citrus in the key lime is my favorite so far. You just open the container, plop out spoonfuls onto a Teflon sheet, then dehydrate. I like to dry them until they set up, peel them off of the sheet, flip them over (dried tops down) and finish them on the mesh tray so the air fully circulates. Times & temps are all over the place. I did this batch at 115°F/46°C which is the lowest I've ever done, to try to not kill all the bacteria. I've read up to 135°F/57°C.

    I have made ones before with plain yogurt that I strained to make Greek yogurt, and then blended fruits in it. The general directions are to use 1 cup of fruit to 1 cup of Greek yogurt, blend it, then dehydrate 3-5 hours @ 160°F/71°C because it's Greek yogurt (I don't know why Greek yogurt dehydrates at a higher temp, or if that website even knows what it's talking about. Most everything I've made dehydrates at any temp, given enough time.)

    High-pectin fruits are recommended, with applesauce increasing both the sweetness and the level of pectin, if required. One video said to add a banana to the mixture to make it more like a sticky store-bought rollup. Just like fruit, you can dehydrate these to any degree of dryness you want. Yogurt is good when it's real dry, and it's good when it's set just enough to pick up with your fingers.

    Here's a site @Yvonne Smith recommended on yogurt/fruit leathers that's pretty comprehensive.
    https://www.superhealthykids.com/recipes/fruity-yogurt-fruit-leather/
     
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  9. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    Waiting for JB's heathy snacks at a grocer near me!
     
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  10. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    We'll see how long it goes before I rush back to the cookies.
     
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  11. Kate Ellery

    Kate Ellery Supreme Member
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    Thanks @John Brunner
    We don’t have key lime flavoured yoghurt ..lots of other flavours
    I used to always make my own but I’ve been lazy lately …been buying ready made

    Now I’m wondering if I could dry strained milk Kefir ??
     
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  12. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I've never had kefir. How thick is it?
     
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  13. Kate Ellery

    Kate Ellery Supreme Member
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    As thick as you want it to be by straining it through cheesecloth overnight or a few hours if you want it yoghurt consistently….. @John Brunner
    you can also flavour it by adding fresh / frozen / dried fruit prior to straining it

    You can use it lake a soft cheese ..i add sweet chilly sauce to my strained ( over night ) kefir “cheese” for a nice savoury type of dip / spread

    I Say MILK kefir cause there is also a water kefir
     
    #193
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2022
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  14. Kate Ellery

    Kate Ellery Supreme Member
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    Did I post a photo of my 2021 apricot roll ups ??

    7828420E-34F0-426C-9C3D-085473066F32.jpeg
     
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  15. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I just licked my monitor ;)

    Those look GOOD!!!
     
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