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.

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets. up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Pages Ebook, "Cooking Mastery!" from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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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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