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Farm Kitchen:  Questions about dried fruits/veggies  |
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 20 2006 : 07:55:32 AM
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I was very interested in the section in MJ's IdeaBook about food drying foods and have checked out the site she talks about in her book. I know people eat dried fruits and veggies as snacks (healthy), but other than that, I'm lost. How else can you use them, other than in crafts? I'm sorry for what is probably a stupid question, but this is really new to me. tia
Some people search for happiness; others create it. |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2006 : 08:28:12 AM
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You can also soak them in liquid and fluff them up and use them in cooking.
Dried veggies are great in soups and stews!!
~~Bridge's Boutique~~
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pollyesther
Farmgirl in Training
35 Posts
Karen
FL
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 08:51:30 AM
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Hi Happymama!
As you mention, the dried fruits are great as snacks alone or as a trail mix type of mixture.
I also used alot of dried fruits to make homemade granola, and as Bridge mentions, you can always reconstitute dried foods and use them in cooking to make them "fresh" again...so it's a nice way to "store" foods for future use too-
Here's my new favorite Basic Homemade Granola Recipe which I clipped from the newspaper:
Makes 1 quart
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 Tbs. dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup Extra Ingredients (see complete list below)
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 Tbs. flavorless oil, such as vegetable or canola
1 Tb. water
Flavoring (see below)
Adjust oven rack to middle position, and heat oven to 275 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch metal pan with cooking spray, then set aside. Mix oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt and Extra Ingredients --except dried fruit -- in a bowl. Bring syrup, oil, water and any Flavoring indicated below to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Drizzle over oat mixture, and stir to combine. Pour mixture onto prepared pan. Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps. Bake for 30 minutes. Stir in dried fruit. Continue to bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes longer. Let cool. (Granola can be stored in an airtight tin for up to two weeks.)
Extra Ingredients/Flavoring Suggestions:
1. Classic Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, 1/3 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 cup dark or golden raisins
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
You can replace the 1/4 cup of maple syrup with 2 Tbs. each of maple syrup and molasses.
2. Crunchy Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup slivered almonds, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, 2 Tbs. sesame seeds, 6 Tbs. currants
Flavoring: none
3. Granola with Tropical Flavoring
Add the coconut along with the cashews and banana chips.
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted cashews, 1/4 cup chopped banana chips, 1/4 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 cup chopped dried pineapple
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
4. Granola with Cherries and Almonds
Extra Ingredients: 1/3 cup sliced almonds, 1/3 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/3 cup dried cherries
Flavoring: 3/4 tsp. almond extract
5. Trail Mix Granola
Extra Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped roasted unsalted peanuts, 1/4 cup sweetened flake coconut, 1/4 cup dark or golden raisins, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips*
Flavoring: none
*Stir chips into the granola only after it has completely cooled.
6. Orange-Berry Granola with Pecans
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped pecans,1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup dried blueberries
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
7. Pear Granola with Hazelnuts and Vanilla
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries, 1/4 cup chopped dried pears
Flavoring: 1 tsp. vanilla extract
8. Orange-Flavored Granola with Pistachios, Mangos and Dates
Extra Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped roasted pistachios, 1/4 cup chopped dates, 1/4 cup chopped dried mangos
Flavoring: 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest and 1/4 tsp. allspice
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 10:12:30 AM
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Thanks for sharing the recipes. I've told dh that for my birthday, I want either a composting bin (actually, one with 2 sections) or a good food dehydrator. After our garage sale, I'll buy whichever one I don't get, so I'm really excited. I've saved your recipes and look forward to trying them out.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
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Farm Kitchen: Questions about dried fruits/veggies |
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Questions about dried fruits/veggies
