Monday, August 3, 2009

Nesco American Harvest 5-Tray FD-35 425-Watt Snackmaster Dehydrator

Drying apple slices in just five hours and beef jerky in seven, this 425-watt dehydrator is exceptionally fast for its price range. Its patented hot-air circulation system ensures not only speed but uniformity, so foods dry evenly. Each of the five trays is 13-1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep (the plastic dehydrator stands 10 inches high), providing more than 12 square feet of tray space for drying lots of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers at one time. Available separately is a two-tray accessory pack that expands the dehydrator to seven trays. Also available separately are accessories for drying fruit rolls, soups, and sauces and for making jerky from ground meat. Accompanying the dehydrator is a detailed instruction booklet with a drying-time chart for various foods and recipes for cooking with dried foods. --Fred Brack


Brie Cheese is quite unusual and it comes from France where it got its namesake. The French still make Brie Cheese the same way today as they did in the 18th century. Both the commoners and the royalty of that era enjoyed the taste of Brie Cheese. It was always in demand for the ceremonies to offer tribute to the Royals of France.

Outside of France Brie Cheese is make in larger factories where the process is significantly industrialized and sped up. While the try hard to get the very same taste many cheese coniseurs claim you can definitely tell the difference in Brie Cheese that is made in France and that which is made in other places.

To make Brie Cheese, the curds are processed after they are firm. They are injected with a vaccination called a mold infusion. This mold will grow over a couple of weeks and this is where the taste of the Brie Cheese starts to change. The mold grows on the outside of the cheese and preserves the delicious taste inside of it. The white exterior of Brie Cheese has made it quite famous in many parts of the world.

Brie Cheese is commonly sold in one or two kilogram wheels. Some retailers will sell it in smaller wedges as a courteously to customers. There are several varieties of Brie Cheese including plain, herb, and others with combinations of milk products.

It is made from cow's milk but many people are hesitant to try it because of the grayish color it has. Brie Cheese has a very soft and smooth texture to it. It has a rind on it that doesn't taste like anything. It is actually a white mold that you can eat without getting sick but since it has no flavor many people pass it up.

Many people say Brie Cheese tastes very similar to wild mushrooms. For the best taste Brie Cheese should be allowed to sit at room temperature for an hour before serving. It is often served with berries, nuts, salads, and on hamburgers.

If you found this information on Brie Cheese useful, you'll also want to read about Goat Cheese

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Friday, July 17, 2009

Nesco Clean-a-Screen for Dehydrator Item# 168605, Model# LM-2-6

Screen flexes to remove sticky fruits and jerky quickly and easily. Herbs and spices wont fall through tray spokes. Includes 2 screens. Dishwasher safe. U.S.A.


When you want to install a solar power kit at your home, you should take under consideration several parameters. You should first decide the benefit that you would like to achieve with the residential solar power system, whether it is to power your home, your camp house, Additional power source to reduce your energy utility bills or as a backup power source when local grid electricity outage occurs. Whatever benefit you wish to achieve, you should pick the most suitable quality solar power kit that will meet best these needs while it is easy to install and simple to use.

Whichever kit you choose from should contain photovoltaic collector unit also known as PV solar panel. The photovoltaic solar panel collects the sunrays and turns them into electric power. The PV solar panel should be set in a way that it would face the sun in the most efficient way to harness maximum sunlight per day. The solar kit will contain solar panels mounting hardware. Make sure that this mounting staff can be adjusted so the solar panel could have the right angle toward the sun.

In your home solar power kit there is a solar power controller and a battery that will be used as the electricity storage device coming from the solar panels. The solar charge controller is important to protect your batteries. Since batteries have a limited storage capacity and the sun produces energy (to your solar panels) as long as it shines, you must make sure that your batteries will not be overcharged. Make sure to select a solar charge controller that matches the voltage of your batteries.

The amount of watts to be produced is stated on every kit. Make sure you know what amount of watts per day are your needs and then it will be much easier to pick the home solar power kit that matches the best.

Most of solar power kits are simple to install and arrive with simple step by step instructions that are very easy to follow. With it you can save literally thousands of dollars on the installation contractor. When you install the solar power kit yourself, the return on investment is much quicker and it can be as fast as three years.

Learn more on residential solar power systems.

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Sunday, July 12, 2009

Nesco All-in-One Food Dehydrator Kit, Model# FD50-WHC

Everything needed to dry fruit, vegetables, jerky and more. 500 Watts power plus patented coverage flow for even drying. No more rotating trays. U.S.A.


S'mores are one of the best campfire treats in the world (right after pudgie pies) with gooey toasted marshmallow melting smooth and luscious milk chocolate thats nestled between two crisp pieces of graham cracker. YummmmI want one (okay, two or three) right now (even though as I am writing this it is snowing outside and there is already more than 2 feet of snow on the ground.)

But although I have been brave and adventurous about trying many variations of s'mores I am still a purist at heart. To me there is only one way to make them and the choice of the three ingredients needed (marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers) is as important as the preparation process.

Marshmallows First of all, the marshmallows need to be fresh. Don't try to use up the half bag of marshmallows leftover from last year that are as hard as a rock. Crack open your wallet and spend a dollar or two on a fresh bag. Campfire brand marshmallows are best if you can find them, but Kraft's are pretty good too. Buy the big ones. Dont mess around with the miniature marshmallows.

Chocolate - Theres only once choice and that is a Hersheys milk chocolate candy bar - 3 pieces per smore.

Graham crackers - Honeymaid honey grahams are the best. Dont try to get creative and use the cinnamon flavored ones - theyre just yucky with smores.

Preparing the smore is as important as the ingredients. But let's talk about equipment first. In the "good old days," before restrictions on disturbing anything in nature at campgrounds and parks, if you wanted to toast marshmallows you went to a tree and broke off a long skinny branch. You pushed your marshmallow on the branch and started toasting. That's what I did as a kid (I didn't go camping as a child but we often toasted marshmallows over the hot coals of our charcoal grill at home). It didn't matter that the marshmallow often tasted faintly of tree sap nor did we ever stop to consider how many bugs or birds had touched that piece of wood and left things on it that are better left unsaid.

There are now roasting forks available at any large discount store or sporting goods store with an outdoor/camping section. Buy a hot dog fork instead of a marshmallow fork and skip the fancy retractable or folding ones. They have a tendency to retract or fold when you don't want them to. A hot dog fork works better than a marshmallow fork because the two prongs are farther apart which makes it easy to roast two marshmallows at once and because they are usually longer than marshmallow forks. Plus, then you'll have a fork that can do double duty, roast marshmallows and cook hot dogs or sausages. You can get a good quality hot dog fork for under $10 and sometimes for less than $5.

Okay, let's get back to making that s'more. Place one or two marshmallows on the hot dog fork. Toast the marshmallow to a golden brown over the campfire, remembering to turn the marshmallow so its toasted on all sides, not just on the third of it thats closest to the fire. Notice that I didnt say to start it on fire and char it to unrecognizable blackness. Marshmallows are not meant to be ignited and charred to a crisp. If your campfire is shooting up 3 foot flames, wait. Marshmallow roasting is best done with the wood is ashy and has glowing embers, which means you will have a hot fire with very little flame.
Immediately transfer the marshmallow to a graham cracker half that has 3 pieces of Hersheys milk chocolate on it (or both marshmallows if you managed to get them both toasted without losing one to the campfire and if you like a really gooey s'more; otherwise be a "sharer" and give the extra marshmallow to someone else). Using the other graham cracker half, squish the marshmallow so that it covers all the chocolate to start melting it. Stop squishing when the marshmallow starts oozing out the sides of the graham crackers.

Then quickly eat it before someone steals it from you and enjoys the perfect smore you have made. Share the secrets of making smores with everyone you know and encourage them to practice; otherwise you'll be spending all your campfire time making s'mores for everyone else and what fun is it to make them if you don't get to eat them?

And if someone tells you that you can make a smore in the microwave that tastes just as good as one made over a campfire, they are a liar or they have never had s'more made over a campfire.
Oh and I forgot one last thing you will need and that is wipes to clean up your sticky and gooey hands after eating your masterpiece!

D Ruplinger is an avid camper and is the content developer for CampingEarth.com. For more on how to make smores, please visit her site. Also, if you're thinking about going camping, but you're not sure if an RV or what kind of RV is right for you, then be sure to read her RV guide.

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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

The NESCO Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator has more power than most dehydrators -- 700 watts -- which means faster drying time. You will have results in hours, not days. The top mounted fan with patented Converga-Flow action pressurizes air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each individual tray, converging at the center, for fast, even drying. No need to rotate trays. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155 F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. As your needs grow, the Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator can be expanded up to 12 trays.


Maple sugar candy is one of Nature's little-known gifts. It has three times the sweetening power of cane sugar. Maple syrup is that rich in sugar because it 43 gallons of maple sugar sap need to be boiled down in order to make one gallon of maple syrup.

With an ingredient that sweet, making maple sugar candy at home is extremely rewarding...as long as you can avoid wasting many jugs of maple syrup trying to get it to turn out right. One common mistake is that people think making maple sugar is just like making fudge. Here are a couple tricks I learned that result in less frustration and more great maple candy every time.

First, don't use a marble slab for cooling maple sugar candy. Sure, it works great for fudge-maybe even for maple fudge-but maple candy is a different bird. A medium or small salad bowl works best for the cooling and stirring process.

Now that you're using the bowl, NEVER stop stirring once you've started. You've probably noticed that fudge cools off and hardens up slowly. But if you've ever made maple sugar candy, you'll know that the maple reaches a point where it just seizes up and becomes solid. In a nutshell, you have to stir until the maple is completely hardened and is very light in color.

Also, don't put the finished maple candy in a container until it has cooled off completely. It gives off steam, and condensation can build up. If you wait for about an hour to put it in a container, you'll have maple candy that can be good for weeks.

Philip Rozek invites you to step into the world of maple syrup at http://www.maplesugarrecipe.com/articles-on-maple-sugar-candy.html where you can learn about Maine maple syrup, Vermont maple candy, Canadian maple candy and more. He'll also show you how making maple sugar candy at home can even make you money.

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker

This convenient dehydrator makes great tasting, healthy snacks & jerky! Introducing the Snackmaster?? Encore???. It's Grey top and marbled design features 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky, and venison jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. The top mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the the heating chamber!You can make delicious beef jerky, turkey jerky, fish jerky, trail mix, homemade yogurt, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, dried tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, papaya and other dried fruits at a fraction of the cost. Make dried herbs and spices; also make potpourri and dried flowers for any occasion.


Many people from around the world enjoy the light flavor of chamomile tea. If you enjoy drinking the tea, you might be interest to know it is easy to grow your own chamomile.

Combine Gardening with Tea Drinking

Even if you are a beginner gardener, growing chamomile is easy. Start by buying some seeds from a local merchant. If you cant find any stores near you, there are many online seed stores to order from.

The seeds are very small, and can be scattered in a small area of your garden. Lightly rake the soil to cover them or cover with a thin layer of fine soil. Water and keep the soil slightly moist while the seeds germinate.

Chamomile grows well in North America. It can grow in relatively dry climates with a little watering. The plant doesnt grow very tall usually 24 inches is the tallest height. It can be used as ground cover or to fill in areas where you need a low lying plant.

Picking the Flowers

The flowers are bright yellow and slightly cone shaped. The blooms start out small and can grow up to a third of an inch across. To make tea, you need to pick the blooms before they seed. Once they turn a dull yellowish grey color, they have gone to seed. The seeded flowers dont have to go to waste keep the seeds to plant again next year.

After youve picked a fair amount, wash to get rid of any loose dirt. Shake off the excess water. You can air dry the flowers by putting them in a dry place in the house for several days. Covering lightly with cheesecloth can help keep dust off while they dry. If youd like the process to go faster, you can put them in the oven for several hours on a low heat. You dont want to bake them, just make the drying go faster. A food dehydrator is another way to speed up the drying process.

Chamomile makes a beautiful addition to the garden with the reward of providing you with your own, home grown tea.

Find more articles on tea at the Tea and More website. Find articles on blended chamomile tea and more related tea articles

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Making Sauerkraut and Pickled Vegetables at Home: Creat

Making Sauerkraut and Pickled Vegetables at Home - Klaus Kaufman Features & Specifications Making Sauerkraut and Pickled Vegetables at Home - Klaus KaufmanThis book provides creative recipes for lactic-fermented food to improve your health.With this book, discover the simple remedies and healing agents found in lactic acid-fermented foods. Step-by-step recipes will guide you through centuries-old methods.Great addition to our crock pots!


Outdoor cooking is very popular, and there are a few different reasons for this. For one, outdoor cooking allows large groups of people to come together and enjoy themselves, and so it is a great means of entertaining. Also, the food that is cooked here has a much different taste than the more conventional oven cooked food, and really offers a unique charbroiled flavor.

There is something really special about outdoor cooking although it does involve quite a bit of skill and innovation. With a little practice and some effort however, anyone can become a talented outdoor chef and learn to cook for their friends and family.

Getting Started

Anyone interested in cooking outdoors will first have to get the necessary equipment. The first and most important piece of equipment here is going to be what they will cook in. The two most popular options here are the outdoor fireplace and the outdoor brick oven. Both of these help to deliver the tastes and aromas that you are looking for and both have models that range from affordable to high priced.

It really depends on the type of outdoor cooking that you are planning on doing. If you are an experienced chef who is planning to cook regularly then it will be more worth it for you to spend a bit more money and get a high quality oven. If you are just a beginner and are not sure how often you will be using it, then the best idea, at least for now, will be for you to stick to a lesser priced model.

A grill may also be a useful tool here and will be a good purchase to make for cooking in the outdoors. This is because there may be certain foods, namely vegetables and legumes that will have to be grilled as opposed to cooked.

Recipes

Coming up with recipes for your outdoor cooking is one of the most fun parts. A good idea is to select a couple dozen recipes that you like and then make a little cookbook out of these so that you can use them in the future.

Bread is especially delicious when cooked in an outdoor oven or fireplace, as is pizza and most pasta dishes. The options are really endless here, and if you are serving for an event of some sort the best idea will be to ask around and find out what foods everyone likes so that you can create a menu that is going to satisfy everyone's tastes.

Echo Wang is a contributing Editor for cooking Find out which cooking products, treatments & solutions will continue to be beautiful at any time. Our site is dedicated to providing information about cooking well options so you can continue to do it perfect, if want to more information, please visit Outdoor Cooking

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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook

A guide to food dehydrating shows readers how to make preservative-free dried apple rings, candied apricots, beef and fish jerkies, sun-dried tomatoes, corn chips, herb seasonings, dried fruit sugars, and more. 100,000 first printing. Tour.


Keeping fruits fresh for an extended period is not difficult if correct preservation techniques are applied. So before we get started, certain things like pectin powder/ liquid, lemon juice, sugar, ascorbic acid, any artificial sweetener, glass/ plastic freezer containers are needed first.

Over a span of time, fruits tend to darken. To prevent this, it is good to coat them with acidic juice such as juice of lemon, orange or pineapple. There are commercial anti-darkening products available in the market that can also be used. Soaking the fruits in ascorbic acid will also prevent it from darkening over an extended period of time.

If you do not wish to coat or soak fruits in preservatives, you can alternatively use glass or plastic freezer containers. These are special containers that will keep fruits in good quality under freezing conditions.

Fruits like apples, figs, plum, mulberry, cherry, peach, blackberry, and grapes taste great as jams and jellies. So, if you like to have these fruits in the form of jellies, then preserving becomes a lot easier. Just prepare the jelly and preserve it in a glass container.

Drying fruits is also a good way of preserving them. People like to consume some fruits in dried condition. Often fruits like apples, pears, and plums are dried and preserved. A food dehydrator can be used to dry the fruits in the form of slices. These dried fruits are stored in air tight containers.

Pint or quart jars can also be used for preserving fruits. Fruits can be hot packed by adding it in raw condition to hot syrup and then reheating it to boiling point. This should then be packed in the containers along with the syrup.

Canning of fruits is also a good method of preservation. Cut fruit into half and remove the core and stem. This will give you two edible halves. You can even slice the fruit the way you like. The slices are then heat processed and sealed in air tight containers.

Fruits should always be consumed when they are fresh and ripe. However, if you like to consume it after sometime, the above-mentioned tips should help you in preserving your favorite fruits for a longer time.

Alfred Anderson has rich experience in the field of online brand marketing. His interests includes Internet marketing and research on emerging online business trends. True Fruit

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Colon Health by Dr. Norman Walker

Colon Health by Dr. Norman Walker Features & SpecificationsColon Health by Dr. Norman Walker Book DescriptionColon Health will take this forgotten part of your body and focus your full attention on it--and you'll never again take it for granted. This book shows how every organ, gland, and cell in the body is affected by the condition of the large intestine.About the AuthorDr. Norman Walker is the longest-lived, widely-known raw-foodist of the modern era. Thousands upon thousands of people credit Dr. Walker's live-vegetable-juice therapy for healing them of "incurable" diseases, including Jay Kordich, known to the world as "The Juiceman." When Jay Kordich had cancer, he met and was tremendously inspired by Dr. Walker. After healing himself of cancer through The Raw-Food Diet and juice therapy, Jay worked with Dr. Walker beginning in the 1940s up until Dr. Walker's death in the mid-80's at an age of well over 100.For more than 100 years, Norman W. Walker, Ph.D., proved through research and experience that well-being and long life go hand-in-hand. Through the non-stop activities of raw-food enthusiasts, such as Nature's First Law, modern day nutritionists and medical researchers are finally discovering the raw truths which Dr. Walker knew and taught throughout the twentieth century. Dr. Walker was living proof that a longer, healthier, more enjoyable life is achieved through The Raw-Food Diet, mental poise, and intelligent body care. Dr. Walker's contributions to the common heritage of humankind began before the turn of the century in London, where as a young man he became seriously ill due to over-work and stress. Unable to accept a sentence of ill-health and early death, Dr. Walker healed himself with living foods and vegetable juices. Among Dr. Walker's greatest contributions was his discovery of the therapeutic value of fresh vegetable juices and in 1930, the development of what would become known as the Norwalk Press Juicer. The present "juicing" craze is direct


As someone that has to pay bills each month, you already know the importance of energy conservation. There is no way for you to have not noticed that your bills have been increasing. It has happened and is one thing that you just should consider doing. But, energy conservation is not always something that is on our minds. If you find yourself only thinking about it when the bills for the month arrive, then you may be missing the boat.

Why You Need To Know

Energy conservation is helpful in a number of ways to each of us. The most profound way that affects us directly is the cost. If you just turn off a few lights, you may not notice it. But, if you do several things to keep yourself in line with your energy goals, you may find yourself able to really save money here. Energy costs continue to rise and even if they slow down in that rise, they are not likely to come down. If you want to cut your bill down, then, you must use less energy.

Yet, there are other reasons for conserving energy as well. Consider, for example, the fact that one of the most vital fuels that we all rely on is that of oil. Some scientists believe that we will run out of oil within the next 60 years. Can you image the cost of your bills then? Still, consider the fact that many of these energy needs also produce toxins in the air. That makes them not only running out but also destroying the environment while they do it.

As you can see, there are many reasons why you, as a citizen of Earth should consider energy conservation in your daily life. Even if you just cut back slightly here and there, you will notice a difference in your bill but not necessary in your overall lifestyle. There are many benefits to taking care of the energy we use. It is a good thing for all of us to take into consideration as well. The end result is a result that satisfies everyone’s needs.

Find a few ways that you too can cut down on the amount of energy that you use. Challenge yourself to a few different limits. See if you can save just $5 this month on your electric bill. See if you can conserve energy for your own and for the world’s well being.

Mark Justice has developed many websites over the years in many different business areas. He has a free Blog Energy Conservation. Visit his blog at: http://04mj.blogspot.com/

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Friday, April 3, 2009

Excalibur 5 - Tray Dehydrator

Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator for great tasting and long lasting fruits, veggies and jerky! Save the flavor, save the nutrition, SAVE BIG BUCKS! Eating healthy can get expensive... especially fresh produce that seems to go bad the moment you get it home. The Excalibur is a compact Food Dehydrator with plenty of room to make jerky or dry your favorite fruits and vegetables so you can keep them edible longer while still maintaining almost all the taste and nutritional value! Excalibur! Holds 5 to 6 lbs. of meat; 5 trays with 8 square feet of drying area... means BIG CAPACITY; Easy to clean with removable doors and trays; Trays roll out easy so you can check on drying process; 8 1/2"h. x 17"w. x 19"d. with 5" fan. Order Now! Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator


Most people have a preference of whether or not they like their steaks rare, medium, well done, or anywhere in between. Yet, somehow, it seems that cooking a steak to fit these preferences is oftentimes difficult. But with some simple training and a bit of skill, it most certainly can be done. Cooking a steak does not have to be difficult, especially if you follow these few rules:

Take into consideration the thickness of a steak. You must realize that cooking a steak is not an issue of just time. Whereas cooking one steak for 4 minutes might make it medium, cooking a steak that is slightly thicker may turn out rare or medium rare when cooked for the same amount of time.

Also consider the pan temperature.

The cook time is also very important.

You must find a good balance between the three abovementioned things to get the results you desire.

Other things to consider when cooking a steak is the tenderness and size of the cut. The presence of a bone can also change the cooking time as can the method of cooking (barbecuing, sauting, etc.).

If you have a sirloin or rump steak of 1.5 cm thick, then here are a few guidelines to follow when cooking it:

1. Well done, cook it for up to 6 minutes

2. Medium, cook it for about 4 minutes

3. Rare, cook it for just a couple of minutes.

Hold up for a minute are you still confused as to what exactly rare is versus well done? Here is a guide on cooking a steak based off of what the steak should look like (of course, never cut open a steak to see if it is done! It looks tacky, and it causes the steak to dry out).

Well done the steak will be hot, and it will have very little moisture. The color will be a dark grayish. The steak will be firm when touched. There will be no hint of pink left.

Medium well the steak will also be hot, gray, and it will have a juicy center.

Medium a medium steak is light gray, warm, and it will have a juicy center. When touched the steak will offer some resistance. Pink juices will bead up on the surface of the seared side when the steak is turned.

Medium rare the steak will be light pink in color, warm, with a juicy center.

Rare the color will be pink, the temperature will be warm, and the center will be bloody and red! The steak will still feel soft when touched.

Know about the two different types of heat used when cooking a steak:

Dry heat this type of heat does not use liquid and it is used to cook some of the most tender cuts. Examples of cooking with dry heat are broiling, roasting, sauting, pan-broiling, and rotisserie cooking.

Moist heat moist heat, on the other hand, uses steam or liquid. Moist heat cooking methods are soup-making, stewing, braising, and pressure cooking.

You must determine whether or not your steak is cooked based on touch, sight, and the clock. The firmer the meat, the more cooked it is. The lighter the color (from dark purple-red to pink), the more cooked the steak is.

Cooking a steak does not have to be hard, but it can take practice. If you do not get it right the first time, try it again! Be sure to have fun when cooking a steak!

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on steaks and cooking, please visit Filet Mignon.

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

The NESCO Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator has more power than most dehydrators -- 700 watts -- which means faster drying time. You will have results in hours, not days. The top mounted fan with patented Converga-Flow action pressurizes air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each individual tray, converging at the center, for fast, even drying. No need to rotate trays. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155 F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. As your needs grow, the Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator can be expanded up to 12 trays.


The most popular form of entertaining a gathering seems to be outdoor barbecue. Basically there are two types of grill for the choice of a barbecue chef. This includes gas barbecue grill and charcoal barbecue grill. The gas barbecue grill is quite expensive but it is convenient to use. Most of the gas grills are easy to assemble and also simple to operate and easy to clean.

The taste of the food prepared using the charcoal grills will be better than that prepared using gas grills. The reason is that the gas grill can not give the smoky flavor to the food which is produced by the charcoal grills. If you want to cook in a bulk the gas grill will be convenient.

The charcoal grills will be a better option for cooking less quantity of food and it is easy to transfer too. The charcoal grills are less expensive as well. There are some disadvantages for charcoal grills. In a rainy day it will be difficult to light the grills and also to keep it lit till the end of cooking. After igniting the grills one has to wait till the flames die out and the coals are hot.

The food may get burnt easily soon since it is difficult to control the heat. The charcoal has to get cooled down completely before cleaning the grills. This may take hours and one will have to wait till that. When charcoal grill is used grease, ash and charcoal will be formed. Removal of these ashes for cleaning the grill can be messy. After each use the coal has to be disposed.

Gas grills are easy to ignite. The heat of the grill can be controlled easily, so there is no need of worrying about burning of the food. The gas grills may have more than one burner which can be operated independently. This helps in simultaneous cooking of different food stuffs which require different cooking temperatures. Another main advantage is of cleaning with less toil.

The selection of gas grills can be done based on the size and shape of the grill. The main drawback of the gas grill is that the smoky flavor is not obtained in this. Comparatively the gas grill is costly. It requires more space also since it is bigger than the charcoal grills.

Points to be considered to make effective use of out door barbecue are:

1) Check whether there is adequate fuel.

2) Charcoal should be stored in a dry place.

3) The cooking time and fuel used will be more when outdoor barbecue will be in cold or gusty weather.

4) Place barbecue in a direction of the wind away from the crowd.

5) Spray some vegetable oil over the grill before lighting it.

6) Small pieces can be placed in skewers.

7) All the things needed for grilling should be assembled in a tray before starting. This includes the tools, utensils and raw ingredients.

8) If the outdoor barbecue is lit once, do not leave it unattended.

Former International Hotel General Manager and culinary expert, Peter Finch, hosts a site dedicated to one of his favorite forms of cookery - barbecue. If you are looking for information on barbecue food or advice on barbecue recipes or barbecue grills, visit us now. BestBarbecues.co.uk is a goldmine for information on everything related to barbecues.

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

The NESCO Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator has more power than most dehydrators -- 700 watts -- which means faster drying time. You will have results in hours, not days. The top mounted fan with patented Converga-Flow action pressurizes air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each individual tray, converging at the center, for fast, even drying. No need to rotate trays. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155 F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. As your needs grow, the Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator can be expanded up to 12 trays.


Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic oils derived from plants, widely used in aromatherapy for their medicinal and mood-enhancing effects. Some essential oils also have culinary uses, however, and these powerful plant essences can be used to rejuvenate, or in place of, dried herbs and spices, which can lose aroma and flavor over time.

A number of essential oils have been designated as Generally Regarded As Safe [GRAS] to use as food additives by the US Food and Drug Administration. These include those listed below.

  • Basil ......Ocimum basilicum L.
  • Bergamot (bergamot orange) .......... Citrus aurantium L. subsp. Bergamia Wright et Arn.
  • Bitter almond (free from prussic acid) .........Prunus amygdalus Batsch, Prunus armeniaca L. or Prunus persica (L.)
  • Cinnamon bark, ............Ceylon Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees.
  • Coriander ...........Coriandrum sativum L.
  • Cumin .............Cuminum cyminum L.
  • Ginger ............Zingiber officinale Rosc.
  • Grapefruit ..........Citrus paradisi Macf.
  • Laurel leaves (Bay) ..........Laurus spp.
  • Lavender ...........Lavandula officinalis Chaix.
  • Lemon Citrus ..........limon (L.) Burm. f.
  • Lime Citrus ...............aurantifolia Swingle.
  • Mandarin Citrus ...........reticulata Blanco.
  • Marjoram, sweet.............. Majorana hortensis Moench.
  • Nutmeg ...........Myristica fragrans Houtt. Origanum Origanum spp.
  • Parsley ............Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Mansf.
  • Pepper, ...........black Piper nigrum L.
  • Sage ............Salvia officinalis L.
  • Rosemary .............Rosmarinus officinalis L.
  • Thyme ................Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis var. gracilis

Boiss.

When using essential oils in your cooking, it is important that they are 100% pure and of therapeutic grade. Essential oils are highly concentrated and, consequently, very potent, and so should also be used sparingly. The recipes below give suggested amounts, but probably the best way to establish what suits your taste is through trial and error.

Here are just a few simple ideas that you could try. Like herbs and spices, different essential oils provide good accompaniments to different ingredients. Generally, essential oils that go well with poultry include basil, dill, fennel, lemon, marjoram, mellisa, orange, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme. For red meat, try basil, clove, dill, fennel, marjoram, mellisa, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and/or thyme. Essential oils that go well with fish or seafood include black pepper, fennel, lavender, lemon, lime, orange, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Meat

When cooking joints of red meat, simply add 1 drop of essential oil to a vegetable oil and brush over the meat before cooking. Essential oils can also be added to the cooking oil when browning mince meat (lamb or beef) - use 1 drop per half-kilo of meat.

For chicken, add 2 drops each of lemon and orange essential oils to 4 tablespoons of honey and 1 dessert spoon of mustard. Make a paste and brush over the chicken before grilling or baking.

Fish

Add 1 drop of essential oil to 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Brush over white fish steaks and grill.

Vegetables

Try stir-frying your vegetables in an essential oil (diluted 1 drop to 1 tablespoon of olive oil). Cardamon, cumin, nutmeg and ginger are good choices.

Steaming your vegetables over water containing an essential oil can also be interesting - try nutmeg and lemon for greens.

Dishes that don't require cooking

Of course, some recipes don't need 'cooking', and essential oils are ideal for this kind of thing.

Marinades

Essential oils are ideal for making marinades - simply add a few drops of your selected essential oil(s) to honey or olive oil and brush on the meat. Place oiled red meat in a bowl containing red wine, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 chopped onion and 1 drop of orange essential oil. Season and leave for up to 8 hours.

Salad dressings

Essential oils also make great salad dressings. Add 1 drop of your chosen essential oil to 10 ml of vegetable oil and/or vinegar. Basil, clove, lavender, lemon, lime, rosemary, sage and thyme are good choices for salad dressings.

Herb butter

Add 1 drop of the essential oil of your choice to 1 cube of softened butter. Mix gently and add to potatoes, other vegetables, toast...

Drinks

Citrussy oils (e.g. grapefruit, lime, lemon, mandarin, orange and tangerine) and minty oils (e.g. peppermint, spearmint and mint) can add zest to drinks of all kinds. Try adding one or two drops of a selection of essential oils to water for a simple thirst quencher.

Herbal teas: add a few drops of essential oils to boiling water: some to try are lavender, roman chamomile, peppermint, orange, tangerine and lemon.

Mulled wine: add 2 drops each of mandarin and orange essential oils and 1 drop each of clove and cinnamon to 2 tablespoons of honey. Heat 1 litre of red wine slowly, add the flavoured honey and stir. Take off the heat just before the wine starts to bubble. Serve with slices of orange and lemon.

This short article gives just a flavour (sorry!) of the uses that essential oils can be put to in the kitchen. Many more recipes are available in books and on the internet, so why not start searching now and explore the taste explosion that essential oils can provide.

Sources:

electricscotland.com/food/donna/recipe12.html

aroma-essence.com/cooking.html

zhealthinfo.com/recipes1.htm http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fcf182.html

Worwood VA. The Fragrant Pharmacy. A complete guide to aromatherapy & essential oils. Bantam Books, 1996

Alix Williams is a regular contributor to the holistic website Aroma4u.co.uk a home based UK business providing Eco-friendly hand made Aromatherapy Stress Relieving Gifts.

Alix Williams also writes about using unique Essential Oil Gift Ideas for Stress Relief.

For more information regarding Stress related matters (stress in the Workplace), Stress Busting Gift ideas with pure Essential oils, please visit: http://www.aroma4u.co.uk

copyright 2008 Alix Williams (CUS Busting Ltd)

dehydrator

Monday, March 9, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker

This convenient dehydrator makes great tasting, healthy snacks & jerky! Introducing the Snackmaster?? Encore???. It's Grey top and marbled design features 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky, and venison jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. The top mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the the heating chamber!You can make delicious beef jerky, turkey jerky, fish jerky, trail mix, homemade yogurt, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, dried tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, papaya and other dried fruits at a fraction of the cost. Make dried herbs and spices; also make potpourri and dried flowers for any occasion.


I have not always been a chef. In fact, I was a very picky eater
as a child. My interest in food and cooking began as an adult.
During my first pregnancy, I started eating tomatoes. It was a
breakthrough in eating for me and since then I have more than
made up for the "picky years."

In 2002 after taking various cooking vacations with my husband,
I decided to go to culinary school and learn the basics of food
preparation from a professional chef. In class, and after
performing various cooking demonstrations, my teacher pulled
me aside and told me that I really should start teaching.
With my family growing,I knew that working in a restaurant
or hotel would not fit into our lives for a long time. So
I opened up a school out of my home and began sharing my
experience and passion.

I am not sure if this happens to other chefs, but one of the down
sides about cooking and teaching is that friends seem hesitant to
invite me for dinner. I know it is not my personality because I do
have lots of friends. I even shower regularly! However, some
feel intimidated by my skills and do not want their abilities to
be critiqued or judged.

In fact, I love going to other peoples' homes. Like every other working
mom, I get tired cooking for my family day in and day out. At times, I
even feel uninspired and order Dominoes. What does get me excited is
trying new foods and learning about other families' culture and
traditions. I do not judge but I enjoy the opportunity
to take a night off and let someone else do the work. And I am
so easy to please. I eat almost anything!

For me, eating out in a restaurant is rather boring. Most reasonably priced
restaurants serve similar dishes using highly processed bland ingredients.
It amazes me how many people do not have the confidence in the food
they prepare in their home and its worthiness of any guest, let alone me.

And making friends with a chef and cooking for him and her will be
repaid. Most chefs and cooks I know are so appreciative of the
invitation and the rest from their own cooking woes, they repay by
cooking and cooking for those who have shared.

For a peak into Chef Dawn's professional home kitchen, visit http://www.chefdawn.com Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE must-have kitchen gadget list including discounts from Pampered Chef, Nordic Knives and Amazon.com

Dawn
Your Personal E-Chef Live: Everything about Cooking, Food, and Family. Bring back dinner parties!

dehydrator

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-1010 Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator

Drying apple slices in just three hours and beef jerky in four, this 1000-watt dehydrator is exceptionally fast, using a big, 4-1/2-inch fan to force air up through the drying trays' outer rings and across each tray. A thermostat adjusts from 95 degrees to 155 degrees for drying different items. Each of the four plastic trays is 13-3/4 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch deepthat's four square feet for drying fruits, vegetables, herbs, or flowers at one time. Additional trays can be ordered separately, and up to 30 trays can be stacked on this unit's metal base at once. A fruit-roll sheet inserts into a tray so that applesauce or other fruit sauces can be dried into healthful snacks, and soups and sauces can be dehydrated for camping trips. Beef-jerky spices and a detailed 64-page recipe and instruction booklet are included. The dehydrator measures 15-1/2 inches in diameter and 10 inches high, cleans easily, and carries a one-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack


Your grandmother did it and maybe your mother. You may have sampled some of the best tasting preserves ever made. When it comes to preserving fruit it may be time consuming but you can do it. Generations ago preserving foods, including fruit was not only a way of life it was also a necessity in order to survive throughout the winter when fruits were not available any more. Because of the many different fruits to preserve you can offer your family the same way of life as your grandmother offered hers.

Sometimes when you have too many good quality fresh fruits, the only way to keep them from spoiling without having to consume them all at once is by preserving. There are different ways to do this - freezing, drying, and making jams are the most common. You can experiment and decide on the method that works best for you. Whatever form of preserving you choose, it is always best to use the freshest fruit, as that will affect the overall quality of your finished product.

Fruit contains a natural substance called pectin. As fruit boils during the jam-making process, the pectin in the fruit thickens the preserves. Usually, though, putting in additional, separately-packaged pectin is necessary in order to arrive at the right texture. Added pectin also allows the jam to finish cooking faster. Another thing to keep in mind when making jellies and jams is to use lemon juice; the acid in it will keep harmful bacteria from developing. Of course, it's important to use all ingredients in the right proportion; for this, it's best to find a good recipe and follow it. To store the jam after it is finished you need to pour it into jars that have been washed in hot water, seal them tightly, and boil the filled jars in water. This will keep the preserves from going bad. When cooled, keep them tightly sealed and store in a dark, cool area.

Freezing is the one preservation method that involves the least amount of preparation. All you have to do is separate the fruits into freezer bags and keep them in the freezer. Small fruits such as berries can be frozen whole, and larger fruits can be cut into smaller pieces or pureed before storing.

Dehydrating fruit is a good option if you're trying to save space, and it is also fairly uncomplicated. Fruits can be dried in the sun, in the oven, or in a dehydrator. Specific drying procedures depend on the type of fruit being used, but there are general rules that should be followed for all fruits. Prior to drying, you should always cover fruits with an acidic mixture, such as lemon juice. This will keep it from discoloring during the dehydration process. You can cut or slice them in almost any way you like, but remember that the smaller the pieces you cut, the faster they will dry. Once dried, the fruit should have a rough texture and bend easily. You can then store it in containers someplace dark and cool.

Whether you are cooking with apples, bananas, peaches or any other fruit, you need to know about when fruit is in season and how to store fruits

dehydrator

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Colon Health by Dr. Norman Walker

Colon Health by Dr. Norman Walker Features & SpecificationsColon Health by Dr. Norman Walker Book DescriptionColon Health will take this forgotten part of your body and focus your full attention on it--and you'll never again take it for granted. This book shows how every organ, gland, and cell in the body is affected by the condition of the large intestine.About the AuthorDr. Norman Walker is the longest-lived, widely-known raw-foodist of the modern era. Thousands upon thousands of people credit Dr. Walker's live-vegetable-juice therapy for healing them of "incurable" diseases, including Jay Kordich, known to the world as "The Juiceman." When Jay Kordich had cancer, he met and was tremendously inspired by Dr. Walker. After healing himself of cancer through The Raw-Food Diet and juice therapy, Jay worked with Dr. Walker beginning in the 1940s up until Dr. Walker's death in the mid-80's at an age of well over 100.For more than 100 years, Norman W. Walker, Ph.D., proved through research and experience that well-being and long life go hand-in-hand. Through the non-stop activities of raw-food enthusiasts, such as Nature's First Law, modern day nutritionists and medical researchers are finally discovering the raw truths which Dr. Walker knew and taught throughout the twentieth century. Dr. Walker was living proof that a longer, healthier, more enjoyable life is achieved through The Raw-Food Diet, mental poise, and intelligent body care. Dr. Walker's contributions to the common heritage of humankind began before the turn of the century in London, where as a young man he became seriously ill due to over-work and stress. Unable to accept a sentence of ill-health and early death, Dr. Walker healed himself with living foods and vegetable juices. Among Dr. Walker's greatest contributions was his discovery of the therapeutic value of fresh vegetable juices and in 1930, the development of what would become known as the Norwalk Press Juicer. The present "juicing" craze is direct


Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic oils derived from plants, widely used in aromatherapy for their medicinal and mood-enhancing effects. Some essential oils also have culinary uses, however, and these powerful plant essences can be used to rejuvenate, or in place of, dried herbs and spices, which can lose aroma and flavor over time.

A number of essential oils have been designated as Generally Regarded As Safe [GRAS] to use as food additives by the US Food and Drug Administration. These include those listed below.

  • Basil ......Ocimum basilicum L.
  • Bergamot (bergamot orange) .......... Citrus aurantium L. subsp. Bergamia Wright et Arn.
  • Bitter almond (free from prussic acid) .........Prunus amygdalus Batsch, Prunus armeniaca L. or Prunus persica (L.)
  • Cinnamon bark, ............Ceylon Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees.
  • Coriander ...........Coriandrum sativum L.
  • Cumin .............Cuminum cyminum L.
  • Ginger ............Zingiber officinale Rosc.
  • Grapefruit ..........Citrus paradisi Macf.
  • Laurel leaves (Bay) ..........Laurus spp.
  • Lavender ...........Lavandula officinalis Chaix.
  • Lemon Citrus ..........limon (L.) Burm. f.
  • Lime Citrus ...............aurantifolia Swingle.
  • Mandarin Citrus ...........reticulata Blanco.
  • Marjoram, sweet.............. Majorana hortensis Moench.
  • Nutmeg ...........Myristica fragrans Houtt. Origanum Origanum spp.
  • Parsley ............Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Mansf.
  • Pepper, ...........black Piper nigrum L.
  • Sage ............Salvia officinalis L.
  • Rosemary .............Rosmarinus officinalis L.
  • Thyme ................Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis var. gracilis

Boiss.

When using essential oils in your cooking, it is important that they are 100% pure and of therapeutic grade. Essential oils are highly concentrated and, consequently, very potent, and so should also be used sparingly. The recipes below give suggested amounts, but probably the best way to establish what suits your taste is through trial and error.

Here are just a few simple ideas that you could try. Like herbs and spices, different essential oils provide good accompaniments to different ingredients. Generally, essential oils that go well with poultry include basil, dill, fennel, lemon, marjoram, mellisa, orange, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme. For red meat, try basil, clove, dill, fennel, marjoram, mellisa, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and/or thyme. Essential oils that go well with fish or seafood include black pepper, fennel, lavender, lemon, lime, orange, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Meat

When cooking joints of red meat, simply add 1 drop of essential oil to a vegetable oil and brush over the meat before cooking. Essential oils can also be added to the cooking oil when browning mince meat (lamb or beef) - use 1 drop per half-kilo of meat.

For chicken, add 2 drops each of lemon and orange essential oils to 4 tablespoons of honey and 1 dessert spoon of mustard. Make a paste and brush over the chicken before grilling or baking.

Fish

Add 1 drop of essential oil to 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Brush over white fish steaks and grill.

Vegetables

Try stir-frying your vegetables in an essential oil (diluted 1 drop to 1 tablespoon of olive oil). Cardamon, cumin, nutmeg and ginger are good choices.

Steaming your vegetables over water containing an essential oil can also be interesting - try nutmeg and lemon for greens.

Dishes that don't require cooking

Of course, some recipes don't need 'cooking', and essential oils are ideal for this kind of thing.

Marinades

Essential oils are ideal for making marinades - simply add a few drops of your selected essential oil(s) to honey or olive oil and brush on the meat. Place oiled red meat in a bowl containing red wine, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 chopped onion and 1 drop of orange essential oil. Season and leave for up to 8 hours.

Salad dressings

Essential oils also make great salad dressings. Add 1 drop of your chosen essential oil to 10 ml of vegetable oil and/or vinegar. Basil, clove, lavender, lemon, lime, rosemary, sage and thyme are good choices for salad dressings.

Herb butter

Add 1 drop of the essential oil of your choice to 1 cube of softened butter. Mix gently and add to potatoes, other vegetables, toast...

Drinks

Citrussy oils (e.g. grapefruit, lime, lemon, mandarin, orange and tangerine) and minty oils (e.g. peppermint, spearmint and mint) can add zest to drinks of all kinds. Try adding one or two drops of a selection of essential oils to water for a simple thirst quencher.

Herbal teas: add a few drops of essential oils to boiling water: some to try are lavender, roman chamomile, peppermint, orange, tangerine and lemon.

Mulled wine: add 2 drops each of mandarin and orange essential oils and 1 drop each of clove and cinnamon to 2 tablespoons of honey. Heat 1 litre of red wine slowly, add the flavoured honey and stir. Take off the heat just before the wine starts to bubble. Serve with slices of orange and lemon.

This short article gives just a flavour (sorry!) of the uses that essential oils can be put to in the kitchen. Many more recipes are available in books and on the internet, so why not start searching now and explore the taste explosion that essential oils can provide.

Sources:

electricscotland.com/food/donna/recipe12.html

aroma-essence.com/cooking.html

zhealthinfo.com/recipes1.htm http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fcf182.html

Worwood VA. The Fragrant Pharmacy. A complete guide to aromatherapy & essential oils. Bantam Books, 1996

Alix Williams is a regular contributor to the holistic website Aroma4u.co.uk a home based UK business providing Eco-friendly hand made Aromatherapy Stress Relieving Gifts.

Alix Williams also writes about using unique Essential Oil Gift Ideas for Stress Relief.

For more information regarding Stress related matters (stress in the Workplace), Stress Busting Gift ideas with pure Essential oils, please visit: http://www.aroma4u.co.uk

copyright 2008 Alix Williams (CUS Busting Ltd)

dehydrator

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Nesco American Harvest 5-Tray FD-35 425-Watt Snackmaster Dehydrator

This unit features Nesco/American Harvest's innovative Top Mounted Powerhead that dries food quickly and evenly with superior results. Detaches to make dehydrator dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Fan-Flow Technology means faster, more even drying with no tray rotation necessary. Perfect for the beginner.


After you have harvested your vegetables you might not be sure what you should do with them. Even a large family will have a hard time eating a steady supply of fresh organic vegetables. The way to avoid wastage is to store your vegetables in your home.

It is true that some vegetables are easier to store than others but most organic vegetables can be stored and saved in some way or another.

There are actually many ways to store your harvest so do not get frustrated if you feel that you have grown more than you can eat. Many grocery stores sell mason jars and supplies needed for making preserves and canning vegetables along with instructions on how to do this. The same stores sell cheesecloth which is great for placing vegetables on when drying if they are air drying.
Food dehydrators can also be used for drying your vegetables along with your oven. When using an oven to dry vegetables set it for the lowest setting, usually 140 degrees, and watch carefully to make sure the vegetables are drying out and not roasting.

Lettuce

Once you have harvested all of your lettuce you can wash it, remove the core, and pat it dry with a towel. When you have finished store it in a plastic bag and put it in your refrigerators crisping section. This will help your lettuce remain crisp for up to a week.

Since it is harder to store vegetables for a long period of time it is recommended that you harvest your lettuce and start using it even before it has reached full growth. When it has reached full growth use what you can, store what you can use, and offer the rest to friends and family members. They will appreciate some fresh organic salad to use in their salads or to place on their sandwiches.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables can often store longer than the other vegetables you harvest as long as they are harvested on time and correctly. Make sure your vegetables have not been bruised or damaged during the harvest. If they have been damaged throw them away since the spoilage can spread if you are not careful.

Many root vegetables such potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and more can be stored in a cool, dark, dry place such as a root cellar or some pantries. Other root vegetables (carrots) can be dried with a food dehydrator or even in an oven set to a very low heat setting. Some vegetables such as turnips can even be stored in a refrigerator crisper, especially if they are going to be used soon.

Tomatoes

There are many ways to store tomatoes and that is a great thing since tomatoes are popular with many organic gardeners. Tomatoes can be stored well on a counter top or in a window sill if they are still a bit green. They can also be stored in the refrigerator.

Some people will dry tomatoes for later use in sauces or even preserve them. Tomatoes preserves either sweet preserves with ripened tomatoes or pickle preserves with green tomatoes can be a winter time treat.

Onions

Onions will store wonderfully in any dry, dark place. As long as the onions have not been bruised and have no sign of moisture they can be stored in a pantry or attic for a long time.

Beans and Peas

Beans and peas can often be harvested as needed but once it is time to store them there are several methods that can be used. Peas and beans can both be stored in bags in the refrigerator for several days. They also can be canned with the proper equipment. Beans can also be dried which is a popular way to store them. Once beans are dried and bagged they can later be soaked and cooked.

Corn

Corn can be stored in the refrigerator or, once the husk is removed, frozen for a long time. The kernels can also be dried, stored, and creamed at a later date.

Learn about the redbud tree and the weeping cherry tree at the Tree Facts site.

dehydrator

Monday, February 16, 2009

Nesco All-in-One Food Dehydrator Kit, Model# FD50-WHC

Everything needed to dry fruit, vegetables, jerky and more. 500 Watts power plus patented coverage flow for even drying. No more rotating trays. U.S.A.


In this article you will find some great hard to find cleaning
and cooking tips, You can Copy and print for quick future references.

CLEANING TIPS
Before washing, it is essential that all stains be removed.
Sometimes Soap or hot water will set a stain and make its removal
impossible.

WARNING: DO NOT MIX BLEACH AND AMMONIA TOGETHER, THE FUMES CAN
BE DEADLY.
Commercial cleaning supplies can aggravate your allergies and
have long terms effects on your health. You can save on your
house cleaning bill with very good results using less toxic
substances.

Ammonia - cuts grease, cleans windows, Strip wax off floors.

Baking soda - cleans, deodorizes, polishes, and removes stains.

Bleach - whitens practically anything, removes mould and
mildew.

Cornstarch - cleans and deodorizes carpets and rugs.

*Rug Stains: Use a solution of half water, half white vinegar.

Shirt or blouse stain: Just a little of water and cornstarch
will remove.

*Grass stains: Dampen stain with cold water, and rub with plain
bar soap. (One without moisturizers). The stain should come
right out. Then wash normally.

*Toilet bowl: use tang, or sprinkle baking soda into the bowl.
Drizzle with vinegar. Scour with toilet brush. Cleans and
deodorizes

Berry Stain: Place the stained part over a pot and pour boiling
water over it from a height of about 2 feet so as to strike the stain
with force. Plunge the stained part up and down in the hot water
until the stain is removed. If stain is persistent, use Javelle water.

Peach Stains: are not easy to remove. Be careful not to wipe
hands with peach-stains on a good napkin, towel or apron. Stretch
stain over a pot of hot water and apply javelle water with a
medicine-dropper. Do not allow it remain too long in contact with
the fibres. Javelle water rots even cotton and linen. Apply
oxalic-acid solution to neutralize the alkali and rinse thoroughly
in hot water. Several applications may be necessary.

Tea And Coffee Stains.
Follow the same procedures as for berry stains above.
Blood and Meat-Juice.

Never put in hot water as that sets the stain. Soak at once in
cold water. Rub with soap and wash. A paste of raw starch mixed with
cold water will remove these stains on flannel, blankets, and heavy
goods. Repeat until stain disappears.

Egg-Stain:

Wash in cold water, then warm water and soap.

Mix 50-50 water, white vinegar. Great for stubborn carpet
stains.

LIGHTSIDE
A man is driving up a narrow mountain road. A woman is driving
down the same road. As they pass each other the woman leans out
her window and yells, PIG!

The man leans out his window and yells, STUPID!
He keeps driving up the Mountain, comes around a corner, and
smashes his car after slamming into a pig in the middle of the
road.

Wood Furniture; To remove water stains, dab white toothpaste
onto the stain. Allow the paste to dry and then gently buff
with a soft cloth

COOKING TIPS, INFORMATION
WARNING: DEEP-FRYING CRAZE
People can do themselves serious injury attempting to
deep-fry their turkey. In the past deep-frying has burned down
houses and put cooks in hospital.

Deep-fried turkey is juicy, and better tasting. However with
this high risk method of cooking, besides the above, your turkey
can end up charred by the resulting inferno.

There is an advantage of deep-frying due to its speed. Cooking time is
3 1/2 minutes per pound. A big turkey is done in less then an
hour. If you are going to deep-fry your turkey use a commercial
pressurized fryer, rather than vats on a stand.

An uncovered pan with a rack in the bottom gives the best
results in roasting. Cooking time varies with preference.
For rare meat, 16 minutes per pound.
For medium meat, 22 minutes per pound.
For well done meat, 30 minutes per pound.

Add salt during or after cooking, not before. The salt flavour
does not penetrate more then 1 inch. If the meat does not reach
the desired colour during roasting, increase the heat to (500 F)
for a few minutes before removing from the pan.

Methods of searing is subjecting the meat to a high temperature
until it is nicely browned.
By Browning in an uncovered pan in a hot oven (450 F-500F).
By Browning in hot fat in a frying pan on the surface burner.
By Adding boiling water and cooking at boiling temperature until
the outside of the meat has lost its red colour.

Reasons For Cooking Meat
To develop flavour.
To soften the connective tissue when present in large quantity.
To kill any living organisms that may be present.

To make meatballs of even size, spread mixture in an ice cube tray and press the
divider down to separate meat into uniform squares.
Take out divider and shape squares lightly into balls.

Add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice when making blueberry pie.
Gives the flavour a pleasant lift.

When it comes to food, healthy living, etc., generally the information
apply to both Canada and The U.S.A.

Canadas Food Guide to Healthy Eating and the Food Safety and Nutritious Programs provide guidelines for save and nutritious eating to help improve and protect your health.
Visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca
You will also find links to other sites in reference to food.

Healthy Eating.
www.hc-gc.ca/nutrition

Food recalls and allergy alerts.
www.cfia-acia.agr.ca
or
www.inspection.gc.ca
Click on food recalls and allergy warnings.
You can ask to be added to the automatic notification list.

Health and Disease Prevention Information.
www.canadian-health-network.ca
While at it why not check out the Guide to Active Healthy living. Click on;
www.paguide.com
You will also find links to other sites in reference to food.

I hope the above information will help you with some of your cooking
and cleaning chores around your home.

Disclaimer: The Author of this article is not responsible for accuracy or completeness nor shall he be held liable for any damage or loss arising out of or in any way related to the information or utilization of it.

Article Source: Bruce Chambers sold his printing, publishing, mail order business and retired in 1980. He came on the Internet in 2003. He researched for 1 year, and then started a free monthly Internet marketing report, plus free monthly recipes, bar mixes, tips newsletters. At present he resells from his website.

You can subscribe to either or both free newsletters by going to his web site. Please visit: http://www.cbestbuys.com

dehydrator

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook

A guide to food dehydrating shows readers how to make preservative-free dried apple rings, candied apricots, beef and fish jerkies, sun-dried tomatoes, corn chips, herb seasonings, dried fruit sugars, and more. 100,000 first printing. Tour.


Home cooking network - a pandora box for all the foodies. A never before array of recipes are a rare collection of specialties form all over the world. It can serve all sorts of individual needs that are vegetarian, quick & easy, traditional, etc. Ranging from gourmet to the simpler ones, these recipes can be broadly divided in to 4 heads. These are as follows:

1. Appetizers

Unlike the regulars such as bruschetta or deviled eggs, Home Cooking Network offers the individuals an opportunity to try various cuisines. Chinese, Mexican, French..... the list is amazing!

i. Spicy Appetizers
For spicy pre meal snacks check out the Mexican & Chinese appetizers.

ii. Soups
Soups make great appetizers and attribute to quite a healthy meal. If beef & chicken recipes do not tickle your taste bud being a vegetarian, look out for the vegetable soups such as carrot soup. For playing off the league try your hand with the French onion soup.

iii. Salads
Whether appetizers or a meal, salads are just perfect for all of us. And for the lazy ones, these are far more simpler & quicker recipes to opt from. They take almost no time, don't believe me, try potato salad or pasta salad! For some adventure & experience go for the Mexican salad.

2. The Main Course

Do you wanna be different this time? Choosing the main course could be rather hard but with Home Cooking Network, the choices are endless.

i. Beef
In place of the plain steak, try some corned beef or beef casserole, or the beef stroganoff.

ii. Chicken
Recipes enlist things as simple as the grilled chicken to something special like the low carb recipes and the chicken cordon bleu.

3. Traditional Home Cooking

This can be defined in many ways as per one's own perception. Home Cooking Network consists of many recipes that can be used as main course, appetizers, desserts or just simple snacks. These recipes are representatives of different cultures like
i. Polish
ii. Kosher
iii. German
iv. Indian
v. Mediterranean
vi. Phillipino, etc.

4. Desserts

Desserts are surely delicious end to the meals. Home Cooking Network believes in trying different recipes, that are new, uncommon and easy to cook.

i. Greek, Mexican and Phillipino desserts form a major chunk of the list.
ii. Alongside it enlists all time favorites like pies. Among pies, Home Cooking Network contains recipes for key lime, fruit filled and pecan pies.

5. Vegetarian Special

Among vegetarian cuisines, Home Cooking Network offers various new & exquisite recipes like:

i. Pasta dishes
ii. New recipes for asparagus and sweet potatoes
iii. Cajun cooking
iv. Vegetarian meatloaf

6. Others

To tickle your taste buds further, Home Cooking Network's recipes include many other categories to serve any purpose you have on mind, that is a festive treat, pleasing a cherished guest or thanking a friend, or simply sharing a relishing moment with the family. These recipes might be time consuming but the time is all the worth. Its rich culinary list includes:

i. Cajun
ii. Gumbo
iii. Sweet breads, and
iv. Collard greens.

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Don't Get Stressed When You're Cooking For Large Groups

When your friends and family think your a good cook, chances are you will be asked to cook for them. Most times that will be for a larger audience then you normally cook for. Most times that means a lot of stress and sometimes these things end up in a nervous breakdown for the cook. It doesn't have to be that way, cooking for a large group of people, if planned correctly can be a lot of fun for every one in the dinning room. You need to plan ahead and stick to that plan the whole evening. The larger the group the larger the dishes and pots and pans but that is not a thing you should start worrying about. Making stuffing still is making stuffing even for a large group. If the group is double then your used to doesn't mean cooking and preparation time doubles as well.

Time flies, when you should be having fun

Often, time is wasted when you, the cook, start to worry about everything that could go wrong. Instead that time worrying should be spend on preparing for dinner. Involve those friends and family members that asked you to cook for them by asking them to do things for you. When a person asks if he or she can do anything to help you. don't be polite and say you have everything under control. Even if you really have it all under control, take accept their help so you have more time on your hands for later. Let that person serve the drinks or set the table.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

Cooking for a large group of people is not a small task. When you start planning don't be afraid to include the help of people who are coming to dinner. Maybe you trust one or two of them to help you prepare the food or even help you cook. Not the whole dinner but little things like dressing the salad or preparing the side dishes. Small things so you can keep your mind on the main courses and grand deserts you have planned for the evening. The people who join you for your dinner are not coming to see you fail but to enjoy a lovely meal. If you make them part of the creative part of the evening they may just take pleasure out of it.

When the time has come that everyone is enjoying the meal you have prepared for them you should enjoy it as well. Enjoy the look on the faces of the people who are eating what you created in the kitchen. Start to relax and enjoy it with them. And when the evening comes to an end, again don't be afraid to ask for help picking up and cleaning the dishes. You removed the stress of preparing the dinner, now you should avoid the stress of ending the dinner. The sooner everything gets cleaned up the quicker everyone, including you, can enjoy the after dinner drinks and conversations.

After a while you will get the hang of cooking for a large group of people. And don't forget to thank the people who helped you out before, during and after the dinner. Then when the next one comes around they will be more then willing to help you again.

Kenny Vanderburen is the main blogger at http://www.kitchencookings.com. The kitchen might as well be his living room, that's how much time he spends there.

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