Using Dehydrated Fruits and Vegetables

Vegetables:

Dehydrated vegetables are best when used in soups, stews and casseroles.  They may also be used in baked goods such as carrot cake or zucchini bread.  You can also use dehydrated vegetables to create your own vegetable flakes, powders, and mixed seasonings.

Vegetable Flakes

Crush dehydrated vegetables or leather with a wooden mallet, rolling pin, or break them apart with your hand.  Use in soups, stews, and other dishes.

Vegetable Powders

Grind dried vegetables such as onions, celery, or tomato in a food processor or blender.  Use as flavorings or thickeners for soups and stews and other dishes.

Instant Soup Cup:  1 T. vegetable powder, ¼ cup powdered milk, ¾ cup boiling water

Spaghetti or Pizza Sauce Mix: Blend dried herbs into tomato powder.

Instant Vegetable Broth:  Add vegetable powder to boiling water.

Tomato Paste: 1 tsp. tomato powder, 1 tsp. water

Tomato Sauce: 1 tsp. tomato powder, 3 tsp. water

Tomato Soup: 1 tsp. tomato powder, 1 tsp. water, 2 tsp. cream

Tomato Juice: 1 tsp. tomato powder, ½ cup water

Baby Food: 1T. vegetable powder, ¼ cup hot water or formula or milk

To Rehydrate Vegetables

Method 1:  Soak in cold water or vegetable juice for 30 minutes or longer, then drain off excess liquid.

Method 2:  Soak in boiling water or bouillon for 15 minutes, then drain.

Method 3:  Toss directly into soups or stews to rehydrate while cooking.

If you will be soaking your vegetables for longer than 2 hours, it is best to do so in the refrigerator.

Fruits:

Dried fruits are delicious eaten on their own, but they can also be used in a variety of other ways.  Try using dehydrated fruits in:

Granola                                                          Smoothies

Trail Mix                                                         Scones

Oatmeal                                                         Cookies

Cold Cereal                                                   Muffins and Quick Breads

Cobblers and Pies                                       Tossed in a Green Salad   

Dried fruits can also be used to reduce the fat content in your recipes.  Use ½ fruit puree and ½ margarine, butter, oil, or shortening.  To make puree:  Cover dried fruit with water and allow to stand 30 minutes to 1 hour.  Puree the fruit, water, and a small amount of vanilla (if desired) in a blender or food processor.

To Rehydrate Fruit

Method 1:  Cover dried fruit with cold water or fruit juice and let stand 30 minutes or longer, then drain off any excess water.

Method 2:  Cover dried fruit with hot water or fruit juice and let stand 15 minutes, then drain.

Method 3:  Place dried fruit in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam 3 to 5 minutes.

Unless a recipe specifically calls for dried fruit, it is best to rehydrate fruit before using in baking to maintain the proper liquid to flour ratio in the recipe.