DEHYDRATOR TREATS WITH FRUIT

It's summer and the kids are home and they always seem to be hungry. Why not give them snack food that is not only really appealing to them but is also healthy.  Many of the fruits become like candy when they are dried in a dehydrator as the flavours and sugars concentrate to make them really tasty.  Case in point--I really don't like watermelon, but when it is dried in small chunks on the mesh trays in our dehydrator is because chewy and sweet and I love it.  If you already own a dehydrator or are just getting your first dryer and have dried just the plain apples, bananas, and grapes, try a few of these really interesting ideas for creative interesting and snacks using dried fruits.  By the way, many of these great snack ideas are from Mary Bell's Food Drying with Attitude cookbook that we carry.  Just in case you were wondering I am using either a Pressairizer Dehydrator 8 Tray from American Harvest or the Filter-Pro Dehydrator from L'Equip.

Apple Cinnamon Slices - Almost everyone who has a dehydrator has dried apples.   We like customers to start with apples as they are so easy and quick to do in a good dehydrator (or even a not-so-good dehydrator).  All apples are good to dry, including some old apples.  If you want a sweet dried apple, try my favorite, Golden Delicious, and for a tart dried apple, try Granny Smith.  Wash the apple and cut it in half.  Remove any damaged, bruised.  Since peeling is a matter of choice, leave the peel on one half of the apple and peel the other half.  When the apple is dry, decide which you like best--peeled or not peeled.  Cut into quarters and remove the core, then cut each quarter into 1/4 inch slices.  Pre-treatment is also a matter of choice.  I like to use pineapple juice but you can use water with lemon juice as well.  Dip the apple slices in the pre-treatment and lay flat on the mesh tray of your dehydrator without overlapping.  I like to lay them facing all one way so they nestle into each other and I can get more on the tray.  To make the apple slices into a real tasty treat, sprinkle them with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon before turning the food dryer on to about 130 degrees F. for anywhere from 5 to 12 hours depending on the power of your dehydrator's fan.  For a real taste sensation, try dipping the apple slices into maple syrup before putting them on the mesh trays and you will end up with a real confection that is popular with everyone.

Fruit and Nut Crunch - Gluten-free-- Everyone loves this fantastic concoction.  It is almost a complete meal and has satisfied many a hiker, biker, and trail rider.  You can add beer nuts because they are salty, but any nut will do.  You can substitute any dried fruits that appeal to you. 

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1-  14 oz can non-fat sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup dried apples
• 1 cup dried grated coconut
• 1 cup dried banana slices
• 1 cup dried canned peaches
• 1 cup beer nuts
• 1/2 cup dried pear slices
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup raw cashew pieces
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds

In a large bowl, (I use the Bosch with the dough hook for all the mixing)  mix together oats and on-third of the condensed milk.  Use a knife to cut the milk into the oats.  Add apples and coconut and stir.  Separate the banana and peach slices so they don't stick together and add them as well as the beer nuts.  Stir.  Add another third of the condensed milk and stir.  Separate the pear slices and add to mixture with cranberries, cashews, and almonds and stir thoroughly.  Let sit one hour.  Lightly oil two leather sheets.  Divide mixture evenly and spread on each sheet.  To do this you can wet the palms of your hands so you can use your hands to press the sticky mixture onto the flat sheets.  Dry approximately 3 hours at 135 degrees F. or until the texture becomes similar to peanut brittle.  Cool and break into 2 inch squares. 

Click here for printable recipe for Fruit and Nut Crunch

Can't A Loupe Candy -- We call cantaloupes the "Unwed Fruit"   This wonderful treat is a great way to use up some cantaloupe that didn't get eaten at last night's barbecue.  Depending on how much you like ginger, feel free to adjust the amount used in this recipe.  One tablespoon is for those who really like ginger.

• 1 medium-sized cantaloupe, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp. powdered ginger (or less)

Mix sugar and ginger together.  Dip one side of each melon piece into the sugar mixture.  Place dipped side up on a mesh-lined dehydrator tray.  For a raw food, dry at 110 degrees F. or up to 135 degrees F. for regular drying.

Dried Pineapple Flowers - Fancy dried fruit is an attention-getter treat and can also be used as a garnish for baked goods like cupcakes. 

Cut the top and bottom off a fresh pineapple.  Use a knife to cut all the skin off and trim the sides to make it round.  Then cut 1/3 inch "V-shapes" in the sides of the pineapple every inch and continue making V-cuts around the entire pineapple.  With a knife or an electric slicer, cut the pineapple in 1/8 inch rounds.  Lay the pineapple rounds on a mesh-lined dehydrator tray and dry for 1 hour at 135 degree's F. Within this time the pineapple should become pliable. 

Remove the pineapple slices from the tray and place it over the rounded side of a lightly oiled Tablespoon.  This is how you get the pineapple to lift so it has a rounded shape and looks more like a flower petal.  Try to get as much lift as possible from at least half of the pineapple slices.  Place the tablespoon with the pineapple back on the dehydrator tray, and continue drying until the slices are dry, yet not too hard. 

Remove spoons and flex the slices to form flower shapes.  Put two slices together to make a flower.  Place a drop of honey on the centre of the bottom slice and press the two pineapple slices together.  Put another drop of honey in the centre of the top slice and place a small slice of dried strawberry or several dried grapes in the pineapples centre.

Our next post will be how to use the dehydrators. to make great Camping Food