Thursday, September 8, 2011

Dehydrating, Dealing W/ Bumper Crops, Part II

There is a lot to be said about dehydrating your bumper crops, and one of the most asked questions is... " Where do I find recipes or how do I use the dehydrated food? "

Being a organic foodie, I also like to live on the wild side and do things that just don't go together. If I told you that a ham and ketchup sandwich was tasty, or a peanut butter and mayo sandwich was good. Would you try them?

Yes it is fair enough for me to share with you more of my dehydrating food recipes, or better ways to use the food. Before I share some with you, I want to take a moment and tell you how wonderful dehydrated food is, and second, how good it is for you. No way do I have a PHD or know it all about the nutritional value. I don't, but I have read plenty of others who are and do know.

A simple recipe is to add dehydrated maters to your normal dishes, including mac-n-cheese. Dips are great as well as using them just as chips.

Dehydrated zuke squash, maters, onions and carrots added to nearly finished pasta, the last 3 minutes, or just after you drain it, WONDERFUL and TASTY!! PASTA PASTA PASTA!!

I have used ground up Asparagus in scrambled eggs. How about zuke squash fruit snacks using fruit juice... Make complete soup recipes, vac seal them and when your ready added the bag to your slow cooker and broth, simmer all day and when you get home or its time for dinner.... BAM!!

I LOVE,LOVE, LOVE dehydrated fruit in my pancakes.... Get creative and try my Apple Chip pancake recipe. Take a handful of dehydrated Apple chips, crush add to your pancakes, your welcome!!

I also crush veggies in a coffee grinder, sprinkle on dishes. I will give Mrs. Dash her place, but I can make 300 times more for the same cost of one jar.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Keep'em Coming, I'll Just Find New Ways To Make'em Into Food

Well if the heat wave didn't destroy your garden, there is a good chance yours' is producing like mine is. I took a poll to find out what some folks are sick of harvesting, the number answer right now is tomatoes.

Everyone has expectations of corn, but if your like me, I plant more of the useful stuff just in case something goes south. Well when it doesn't go south, what do you do? Start pulling your hair, take it over to more needy folks, give it away to anyone who wants it, pawn it off on co-workers or set it out with a FREE sign at the end of your driveway. Stop for a second and lets talk about canning.

I decided to expand my mind while expanding my pantry and shrinking my food bill. So I have put up GALLONS of pasta sauce, salsa, chili, and ketchup. Stewed maters and mater juice is next. By looks of all the green maters, were going to be here a while and run out of canning jars if I don't do something.

Green maters, pickled with onions, jalapenos, and sweet red peppers... Green mater chutney, yummy.. 

So what else can I can with maters????????  Do you have an off the wall, wonderful, delicious canning recipe for me to try?