Dehydrating Gifts

**ri*smom** · 07-26-2009, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Luckybustert

Have you tried any of these soup mixes yet? And if so, how did they turn out? I'd like to try making some soup mixes and am looking for some good recipes.

I haven't tried any out yet, but, man some of them look tasty. There are a few (non-dehydrator/non-mix) recipes I have on the agenda to try out this week if I get a chance . . . a cold cucumber soup and a chilled zucchini gazpacho. I'm trying to find ways to keep up with all the summer veg! They are winning!!

I know there is an dry onion mix recipe in there for sure because you can use it for soup or dip (or like a meat seasoning I think, too).

ETA: It was for roasting potatoes, not meat seasoning, but I betcha could do that also!

**ri*smom** · 07-26-2009, 10:16 PM

I'm pretty sure someone here has posted this before, but just in case it has some tasty-looking recipes, too:

http://www.budget101.com/soup_mixes.htm

Oh, and I dehydrated my first batch of limes today (dh uses them for his beer) and he hasn't tested them yet . . . but they smell heavenly and they look purdy, too!

**LastDragonfly** · 07-27-2009, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by Luckybustert

I'm not laughing at all over here.....between dog food and treats, we spend more on our two than we do for groceries for ourselves! How do you make your dog treats?

Went to a class on drying foods last week and the woman who was teaching it was talking about how terrible dried lemons were and not to waste our time. And I'm sitting there thinking "well that's not what MISTI said"...lol....honestly I've learned so much more from everyone here at FV than this woman was teaching us. Hated to waste my money on a class where I didn't learn anything new, but also felt good to realize just how much I'm learning from all of you

wOW honey, get your MONEY BACK! I love my dehydrated lemons and oranges...they were and are definately NOT a waste of my time or money...I bought 15 on sale for $2. Here they are in my canister.

And here is my mentor Tammy at dehydrate2store.com with her lemons.

Omg...your dehydrating teacher is not frugal apparently...I hope to pick up some more lemons soon.

Dry your end pieces too...I use them for lemon peel as needed.

I also throw my USED lemons (left over from my daily tea) down my disposal...keeps it clean. A few oranges and a dash of cinnamon on the back burner...makes my kitchen smell yummy.

**Luckybustert** · 07-27-2009, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

Great ideas!!! Luckybustert, you take the most interesting classes - who gives these classes and how do you find out about them? Mahalo for sharing!!

I like to take classes (non-credit) at our local community college - they always have such an interesting selection of classes and it's so much fun to learn how to do new things!

Originally Posted by madhen

MauiMagic,

Do a search for "master food preserver" for your area. They put on classes for free around here.

Thank you so much for this information! I did a search and found there are some classes at Oregon State (about an hour and a half away from me) for $7 per class. By the time I factor in gas it would be about $37 a class but it would be worth it to me. I am going to see if I can find anything closer, but if not then I'm going to try to get to a couple of the classes. There's a pickling one coming up - I believe it's on August 13th and one on canning vegetables and meats later in the month. Very excited about this - thanks again for the info!

**madhen** · 07-28-2009, 12:28 AM

Glad you found something, but too bad it is such a drive!

If it is put on by MFP, you'll really enjoy it. They are a great bunch of people who LOVE what they do (and most have been doing it a long, long time)!! When I attended regularly, they used to always bring in produce, canning jars, etc, and everyone would barter.