So, I'm interested in what you want to talk about, learn about, ask about on this blog. I want to post so many different things and I often wonder what you want to see... Please direct me!
I love reading about how you are feeding your family, growing, preserving, homesteading etc. Can you share about the animals you have, anything special you have found to work well with them, or not so much. Do you make any homemade snacks? Recipes? Trying to convert the boys over to more fresh/raw snacks and less prepackaged. Love reading whatever is on our heart!
First let me say I am happy to see that you are writing on a regular basis. Do you realize you have posted half the amount from last year in just one month. Keep it up!
I've especially enjoyed the dehydrating demos. I've dehydrated foods for almost 30 years but never with long term storage in mind. Your enthusiasm is contagious! I took the plunge and bought the Excalibur. It arrived last night and I'm chomping at the bit to get started! Right now I have apples in the NESCO but they seem to take forever. I like my chips to be crunchy, not leathery. Any hints? They are a big hit at the market. So is the fruit leather and roasted chick peas. I'm introducing crackers this summer.
My experience with canning has been limited to applesauce and jelly but I'm eager to learn more. We don't have land enough to grow for canning, but I know farmers from the market and can buy in bulk.
I could spend all day out in the yard but my gardening has not been very successful. Soil is very acidic so I've stuck to container gardening - lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers peppers and eggplant. Last summer I didn't step foot outside. Too busy making candy. This year WILL be different! Starting indoors on April 1st. So I will be looking for your expertise there too!
Thank you, Sara. I have needed an outlet this past few weeks. (It might as well be a productive one). Canning, gardening and dehydrating are my current passions and I look forward to seeing your container gardens. I'm totally impressed with your purchase! Good for you!
As for the apples, here is an idea. I am just thinking out loud, but let me know how it goes. Prepare as you normally would (slice thin/lots of lemon juice) If you dehydrate them at about 115-125 for about 24 hours. Turn off the machine and allow them to cool completely. (That should take care of the case hardening) Then turn the dehydrator on a much higher temp. for a few more hours checking every hour. It seems to me that if you take away the possibility of of case hardening, the higher temp. should get you those results you are looking for.
I wonder if the kind of apple is important. I know that Gala apples have no taste to them after dehydration. Hmmm...
I love reading about how you are feeding your family, growing, preserving, homesteading etc. Can you share about the animals you have, anything special you have found to work well with them, or not so much. Do you make any homemade snacks? Recipes? Trying to convert the boys over to more fresh/raw snacks and less prepackaged. Love reading whatever is on our heart!
ReplyDeleteThank you for that feedback, Maggie. Those things that you mentioned are all near and dear to my heart. Let me keep researching those healthy snacks!
DeleteBest to you
First let me say I am happy to see that you are writing on a regular basis. Do you realize you have posted half the amount from last year in just one month. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI've especially enjoyed the dehydrating demos. I've dehydrated foods for almost 30 years but never with long term storage in mind. Your enthusiasm is contagious! I took the plunge and bought the Excalibur. It arrived last night and I'm chomping at the bit to get started! Right now I have apples in the NESCO but they seem to take forever. I like my chips to be crunchy, not leathery. Any hints? They are a big hit at the market. So is the fruit leather and roasted chick peas. I'm introducing crackers this summer.
My experience with canning has been limited to applesauce and jelly but I'm eager to learn more. We don't have land enough to grow for canning, but I know farmers from the market and can buy in bulk.
I could spend all day out in the yard but my gardening has not been very successful. Soil is very acidic so I've stuck to container gardening - lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers peppers and eggplant. Last summer I didn't step foot outside. Too busy making candy. This year WILL be different! Starting indoors on April 1st. So I will be looking for your expertise there too!
Thank you, Sara. I have needed an outlet this past few weeks. (It might as well be a productive one). Canning, gardening and dehydrating are my current passions and I look forward to seeing your container gardens. I'm totally impressed with your purchase! Good for you!
DeleteAs for the apples, here is an idea. I am just thinking out loud, but let me know how it goes. Prepare as you normally would (slice thin/lots of lemon juice) If you dehydrate them at about 115-125 for about 24 hours. Turn off the machine and allow them to cool completely. (That should take care of the case hardening) Then turn the dehydrator on a much higher temp. for a few more hours checking every hour. It seems to me that if you take away the possibility of of case hardening, the higher temp. should get you those results you are looking for.
I wonder if the kind of apple is important. I know that Gala apples have no taste to them after dehydration. Hmmm...