What real food tastes like.

[journey11]

@baymule and @Gardening with Rabbits, could you share the process of dehydrating hash browns? Dh loves hb's and drying them would free up more storage space for the fresh ones, which is where it all came off the tracks for me last year.

They look good! I'd like to know which method you guys prefer too, especially to do up that many. I have done them by pre-baking, chill, peel, shred, then dehydrate. And I tried the other way...shred raw, treat w/ a little lemon juice in water, blanch, pat dry, then dehydrate. The first was easier, but the second gave better results. I was afraid I'd taste the lemon juice, but it wasn't noticeable. It was to keep them from turning brown.

 

[baymule]

I use a mandolin slicer with the hash brown blade. I bought it at WalMart for about $10 As I slice the potatoes, I put the hash browns in a big bowl of water, with lemon juice added. I get my blancher pot boiling and blanch, then cool the potatoes. After the cold water cool off, I drain them through a colander. Then I spread a thick towel on the counter top and spread the hash browns on the towel to dry them better. I let them drain a few minutes then put them in the dehydrator. I store them in 1/2 gallon canning jars. To use them, I pour hot water over them for about 30-45 minutes, drain and cook as usual. They hold their shape better than fresh, which generally turns to potato mush, at least when I cook them. I also use the dehydrated hash browns in soups instead of pasta noodles.

 

[digitS']

The food is different like you said. . . IF I say anything about being busy or tired, then they are eager to talk about gardening and how I should grow less or just use containers and not have so much work. I am just going to grow a bigger garden next year.

It may be that finding a way to work with nature makes us more fully human. Growing some of our food puts us close to the reality of where food comes from and our place in the universe.

Everyone must eat but it seems that everyone need not garden. That may be a reason some people are so messed up and willing to mess things up for others.

Enjoy your garden.

Steve

 

[britesea]

Gardening puts you in rhythm with the seasons and the earth. Many of the eastern religions stress being in harmony with the cosmos, which starts by being in harmony with the part that is closest to you. It's a lot easier to do that by gardening and spending time outside than by watching TV or shopping at the mall.
The greatest act of faith one can do, is to plant a seed.

 

[Just-Moxie]

I was raised the city life...but have always had the country spirit. As it was, I didn't even get to experience country life till I was 11. Then, my maternal grandmother took me to her youngest sisters house in the Ozarks. That's when I realized I had found my country roots.
It still took years and years for me to get to have a garden...and no chickens till 2011. Now, I live on 1 acre with a WV hubby...and I even get to grow the herb gardens that I never was able to experiment with before! Of course, now, we have the internet for "go to" information and knowledge. It is great that we can learn from others experiences...especially since none of my grandparents are alive anymore to share theirs with me.

 

[Just-Moxie]

Baymule-I found that same mandolin at Walmart...and love it! I have been wanting a mandolin for years and years...but the ones I saw were always costing way more than I wanted to spend on them.

 

[baymule]

Baymule-I found that same mandolin at Walmart...and love it! I have been wanting a mandolin for years and years...but the ones I saw were always costing way more than I wanted to spend on them.

I got my first one at a home show when I was 20. Some guy was demonstrating them and I paid $20 for it, the best purchase I ever made. I happily used it for years, still have it, plus 2 more. I can never have too many kitchen gadgets or canning jars.