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Farm Kitchen: What are you drying? |
YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2024 : 07:46:17 AM
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Drying the zest of 10 small lemons to make lemon pepper. After the lemon zest is dried it will be mixed with equal part black pepper. I still have to grind the black peppercorns. Will wait to do it after I measure the dried lemon zest.
I juiced the lemons and froze in ice cube tray. When frozen I will put the frozen lemon juice in zip lock bag.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2915 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2915 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2024 : 08:53:58 AM
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I'll have to try that, Sara. I do the ice cube thing but have never made lemon pepper. My latest is dehydrated sweet potatoes and turnips, done from raw. The dogs ADORE them, and I know what the ingredients are. We were gifted a huge beet; I may try that next. |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2024 : 09:36:52 AM
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Lisa, I ended up with 2 Tbsp of lemon zest. Did a coarse grind for the peppercorns that way if I want I finer grind for a recipe I can do it then.
I guess I should dry sweet potatoes for Annie. I have some just sitting in my pantry.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
3139 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
3139 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2024 : 09:54:51 AM
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I'm making some beef jerky today. Your lemon pepper sounds fantastic, Sara!
~Heather Farmgirl Sister #4701 September 2014 Farmgirl of the Month
"The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment" - Yogi teabag
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2024 : 07:16:59 AM
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Heather, one of these days I hope to get around to making beef jerky. I put the lemon pepper on avocado sandwich and it was tasty.
Today I am drying sweet potato slices for Annie. Thanks, Lisa, for telling me about it.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2024 : 06:29:53 AM
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I gave Annie a sweet potato slice that was only half dried and she spit it out. Decided to finish drying them anyway and when done and cooled she ate a couple of slices and wanted more.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4313 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4313 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2024 : 04:02:38 AM
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LOL Annie knows what she likes, Sara.
Farming in WI
Michele
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 07:42:51 AM
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Michelle, there's not much she doesn't like.
Drying grape tomatoes today. I've always dried Roma tomatoes but I saw this recipe on-line for drying grape or cherry tomatoes. You smash the tomatoes with a potato masher that not only flattens the tomatoes but gets most of the juice and seeds out. The problem I have now is I can't remember if the tomatoes were smashed whole or halved. I halved mine but some of them look like they are all skin. I couldn't print the recipe because it had a black background with white letters. I'll let you know what I think about the dried grape tomatoes when they are done.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2915 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2915 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 08:35:40 AM
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I'm glad Annie likes the sweet potatoes. I dry mine until crunchy and my dogs think they are the best thing ever. |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 12:29:39 PM
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Crunchy is good.
The grape tomatoes are still drying, and they are mostly skins so I will dry them till they are crispy than put in blender to make tomato powder. I have made tomato powder before, and it is a good thing to add more tomato flavor to soups, stews, and sauces. Next time Roma tomatoes go on sale I will get some to dry.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2381 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 2:47:21 PM
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I dry mushrooms until they snap when I bend them and then put them in the blender and make mushroom powder. Just a little bit gives a wonderful mushroomy taste to soups, stews, and Italian casseroles like lasagna, spaghetti, and eggplant parmesan.
Judith
7932 FGOTM 6/21 I'm old and I do wear purple |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 2:56:08 PM
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Judith I've made mushroom powder too but it's been a couple of years. I guess I should add that to my drying to-do list.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2381 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 3:07:17 PM
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I usually get my mushrooms at the local flea market. Right before closing the produce sellers are anxious to get rid of stuff so the prices drop dramatically. I think my biggest bargain was a crate of mangos for fifty cents. Then I had to go home and spend the day making mango chutney.
Judith
7932 FGOTM 6/21 I'm old and I do wear purple |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 3:20:01 PM
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That's a great buy on mangos and I know the chutney was good.
Made the tomato powder and yielded little over a Tbsp for my days' work. Definitely using Roma tomatoes to dry from now on.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2381 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 4:16:14 PM
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Roma for sure, Sara. We used to live near tomato fields and a couple times we gleaned the field after the tomato harvesters had finished. My 16 quart pot full of tomatoes yielded a whole 2 pints of catsup. Those tomatoes, the typical kind you get at the supermarket, were all skin and water.
Judith
7932 FGOTM 6/21 I'm old and I do wear purple |
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Killarney
True Blue Farmgirl
5363 Posts
Connie
Arlington
TN
USA
5363 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 4:48:48 PM
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Judith, nothing like fresh made! I bet your Catsup delicious! Connie |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2381 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2024 : 5:48:35 PM
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It was pretty good but took an enormous amount of tomatoes to make it :-) Roma tomatoes would have made a lot more but it's hard to ignore free :-)
Judith
7932 FGOTM 6/21 I'm old and I do wear purple |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2024 : 07:17:58 AM
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Drying 12 Roma tomatoes today. They are large so after halving them I will dip them in a solution of apple cider vinegar & non-chorine water. Will let them dry on a flour sack towel before dehydrating. The apple cider vinegar & water solution helps to retard spoiling over time. My dehydrator only has two trays so it may take me a couple of days to dry them.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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Edited by - YellowRose on Feb 08 2024 07:19:06 AM |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Feb 09 2024 : 05:43:44 AM
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I didn't use the apple cider vinegar dip because I forgot I had given the book that had the recipe in it to my niece and I couldn't find it on-line. I did find a recipe for dipping the tomatoes in EVOO with salt and herbs. I used my dried oregano and the tomatoes turned out good. I will store dried tomatoes in EVOO in a cool dark place. Unopened they should keep for 6 months, once opened store in refrigerator.
Before I was gifted my dehydrator I dried tomatoes in the oven. Set the temp on lowest setting; after prepping the tomatoes single layer them on parchment paper covered cookie sheet; put in oven; insert wooden spoon in closed oven door to help regulate the humidity & heat. Time to desired dryness depends on size and type of tomato.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4313 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2024 : 03:34:19 AM
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Sara I hope your tomatoes turned out perfectly for you. Is it harder to store the evoo ones, or do they dry out nicely? I once tried putting a bit of cinnamon sugar on apple slices, and drying. It was a real mess for me.
Farming in WI
Michele
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7108 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7108 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2024 : 05:38:16 AM
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Michelle, it took a long time to dry them. All day one day and part of the night. I got up at 2 a.m. and checked the tomatoes and they were close to being done so I turned the dehydrator off so they wouldn't over dry. The next morning, I finished drying them for three more hours.
It was messy because the EVOO spread on the parchment paper lined trays. I left the old parchment paper on the trays and put a new layer on top so when I took the parchment paper off it was easy because it wasn't flimsy.
One of the things I like about storing the dried tomatoes in EVOO is the oil can be used in cooking. The 12 Roma tomatoes yielded two 12oz jars minus the two I ate. Warm dried tomatoes are so good. They're stored in the little bedroom closet along with other home canned goods. Checked the temperature and the closet was at 60.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014 FGOTM Sept 2015 - Feb 2019 - Oct 2023
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
3139 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
3139 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2024 : 5:13:16 PM
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Michele - I had the same experience with cinnamon sugar apples!!! They sounded so good but never again LOL!
Sara - I love hearing about all the stuff you can and dehydrate :)
~Heather Farmgirl Sister #4701 September 2014 Farmgirl of the Month
"The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment" - Yogi teabag
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2915 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2915 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2024 : 4:33:41 PM
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Judith, I did catsup from some older canned tomatoes that needed to be used. I had several quarts and got about 2 pints. It was, however, very tasty! I need to dehydrate some of the carrots that we have been getting free (food drop off at the school where my husband drives a child) When he gets there, they are ready to THROW IT AWAY! We got 50lbs carrots, 50 lbs onions, 7 pineapples, 12 pints of crimini mushrooms, 10 bags shredded cheese, 5 five lb bags each of apples and potatoes, and 5 2 lb bags of raw almonds. Yes, this was going to go in the TRASH! We have shared with many neighbors, but I still have several bags of carrots and onions. It is a crying shame, but apparently many of the folks are looking for microwaveable, prepackaged food, so the fresh goes to waste. Not on MY watch. LOL
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2915 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2915 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2024 : 4:47:26 PM
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Sara, I can imagine that EVOO made for messy dehydrating. Maybe next time do with the herbs only, of with none, and add everything to the jar at the end. I just dehydrate mine tomato only, and rehydrate as needed. Yours sound much tastier |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4313 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4313 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2024 : 03:28:49 AM
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Wow Lisa, that was a haul of fresh fruits and veggies. Good thing your husband grabbed it. Even with sharing I bet you were a busy lady, canning, drying, and freezing.
Farming in WI
Michele
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Farm Kitchen: What are you drying? |
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