Sure, they make great fruit roll-ups and excellent dehydrated mushrooms and beef jerky, but what else can you use your EziDri food dehydrator for?
BE CREATIVE! Or pay heed to the old adage that necessity is the mother of invention. The best way to get your money's worth out of any kitchen appliance is to actually use it! Read on for other useful ways you can put your EziDri food dehydrator to work.
1. DRYING PASTA: If you make your own pasta, you'll know that if it has any moisture in it before storage, it will go mildewy fairly quickly. You can dry it efficiently and quickly in your EziDri dehydrator. Dry for 2 to 4 hours on a medium setting and store in airtight containers. Remember, you can make the most wonderful pasta dough by hand, or even with a breadmaking machine, and instead of using water as the moisture content, use vegetable juices such as carrot, spinach or capsicum. Or, add homemade vegetable powders to create flavour and interest. Use the spaghetti or fettuccine extrusion nozzles on the Samson 6-In-1 or the Oscar Vitalmax Juicer ... how easy is that?
2. COOKED PASTA: You can actually dry cooked pasta in your EziDri dehydrator and break it into bite size chunks before storing in airtight containers. When you need it, simply rehydrate in a bowl of boiling water and it takes just 2 to 3 minutes. Excellent for when you have leftover meals and you want to stretch them a little further without a lot of extra effort. Or, take with you on camping and hiking trips. Great carbs, no complicated preparation!
3. FRESHENING UP CRACKERS: Don't waste money on crackers, biscuits, chips or even cereal that has passed its freshest state. If you find they're a little stale, recrisp them by laying them out in a single layer on the EziDri drying trays and turn on for about an hour on medium.
4. HUMIDIFIER: If you find the air in your home is quite dry, particularly during the cooler months, you can actually use your EziDri dehydrator to humidify it back to a more comfortable condition. Position a few containers of water in the trays of your EziDri and turn on to high. As the water evaporates, the air will become more moist.
5. AIR FRESHENER: You'll notice when using your EziDri dehydrator that the air fills with the aromas of whatever you are drying. Well did you know that you can deliberately use your EziDri to perfume the atmosphere in your home? Simply by placing aromatic fruits or botanicals in the dehydrator, you can create a beautiful perfume, without any of the chemicals used in commercial air fresheners. Try citrus, lavender or a variety of herbs.
6. AROMATHERAPY: Yes, it's even an aromatherapy diffuser! Lay a few non-toxic branches or aromatic plants on the trays of your EziDri dehydrator and turn on to medium. Old bread moistened with water will help to diffuse the scent of vanilla essence. Lavender, rosemary and rose petals are all delightful.
7. BREADCRUMBS: Whenever you have bread that doesn't get eaten, it's a shame to throw it out. Dry it in your EziDri food dehydrator and once it's crisp, either crush it manually or give it a quick whiz in your food processor. While you're at it, you can add herbs or citrus peel that you may have dried before, or vegetable powders to add extra flavour. Flavoured breadcrumbs are perfect for chicken, fish fillets or veal cutlets, and great for stuffing recipes.
8. POT POURRI: Tailor make your own pot pourri combinations to suit your tastes and the materials you have on hand. The EziDri food dehydrator is the best tool for the job as it dries all the elements perfectly yet still allows them to retain their beautiful perfumes. Try various flower petals, fruit peels, pine needles, herbs, grasses, woods and spices.
9. FIRE STARTERS: Turn citrus peels into the best - and most aromatic - fire starters you've ever used. Citrus doesn't break down on compost heaps because of its antibacterial properties and in fact, it inhibits the break down of the other matter. When you peel citrus fruits, simply cut the skins into strips and dry to a crisp. When you light them, the oils will flare up and burn for a decent length of time. With no water content, they'll burn beautifully.
10. PET TREATS: Don't overlook your pooch or kitty-cat. Pigs' trotters and snouts and other meats are very welcome treats when dehydrated; pets love them!
11. FLAVOURED VEGETABLE POWDERS: Coarsely chop vegetable, spread over mesh sheet and dehydrate until the vegetable is dried to a crisp. Then pulverise and store in airtight containers. Imagine what you can do with these! Try carrots, entire heads of celery, garlic, onion, red or green peppers and more. Add the powders to soups, salad dressings, bread dough, your favourite beef jerky marinade or whatever else your imagination conjures.
So you see, EziDri food dehydrators are very valuable appliances. You'll have heaps of fun trying new ideas and seeing what new things you can create. Available in three models: the Classic Everyday, the Snackmaker and the big brother of them all, the Ultra FD1000.
