Everthing You Need to Know About Nesco Dehydrators

Monday, March 30, 2009

Excalibur 5 - Tray Dehydrator

Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator for great tasting and long lasting fruits, veggies and jerky! Save the flavor, save the nutrition, SAVE BIG BUCKS! Eating healthy can get expensive... especially fresh produce that seems to go bad the moment you get it home. The Excalibur is a compact Food Dehydrator with plenty of room to make jerky or dry your favorite fruits and vegetables so you can keep them edible longer while still maintaining almost all the taste and nutritional value! Excalibur! Holds 5 to 6 lbs. of meat; 5 trays with 8 square feet of drying area... means BIG CAPACITY; Easy to clean with removable doors and trays; Trays roll out easy so you can check on drying process; 8 1/2"h. x 17"w. x 19"d. with 5" fan. Order Now! Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator


Brie Cheese is quite unusual and it comes from France where it got its namesake. The French still make Brie Cheese the same way today as they did in the 18th century. Both the commoners and the royalty of that era enjoyed the taste of Brie Cheese. It was always in demand for the ceremonies to offer tribute to the Royals of France.

Outside of France Brie Cheese is make in larger factories where the process is significantly industrialized and sped up. While the try hard to get the very same taste many cheese coniseurs claim you can definitely tell the difference in Brie Cheese that is made in France and that which is made in other places.

To make Brie Cheese, the curds are processed after they are firm. They are injected with a vaccination called a mold infusion. This mold will grow over a couple of weeks and this is where the taste of the Brie Cheese starts to change. The mold grows on the outside of the cheese and preserves the delicious taste inside of it. The white exterior of Brie Cheese has made it quite famous in many parts of the world.

Brie Cheese is commonly sold in one or two kilogram wheels. Some retailers will sell it in smaller wedges as a courteously to customers. There are several varieties of Brie Cheese including plain, herb, and others with combinations of milk products.

It is made from cow's milk but many people are hesitant to try it because of the grayish color it has. Brie Cheese has a very soft and smooth texture to it. It has a rind on it that doesn't taste like anything. It is actually a white mold that you can eat without getting sick but since it has no flavor many people pass it up.

Many people say Brie Cheese tastes very similar to wild mushrooms. For the best taste Brie Cheese should be allowed to sit at room temperature for an hour before serving. It is often served with berries, nuts, salads, and on hamburgers.

If you found this information on Brie Cheese useful, you'll also want to read about Goat Cheese

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator

The NESCO Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator has more power than most dehydrators -- 700 watts -- which means faster drying time. You will have results in hours, not days. The top mounted fan with patented Converga-Flow action pressurizes air downward through the outer ring and horizontally across each individual tray, converging at the center, for fast, even drying. No need to rotate trays. The adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at proper temperatures (95-155 F), providing the flexibility to produce the best drying results. As your needs grow, the Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator can be expanded up to 12 trays.


If you have just gone vegetarian and are coming up to you first vegetarian holiday season, or if you find yourself cooking for a vegetarian this holiday season this is the article for you. A vegetarian holiday season need not be a gloomy series of substitutes for meat. Vegetarian fare can be festive in its own right.

A good nut roast is one of the delights of the vegetarian table. It takes some time to make so it is not something that vegetarians eat every day. But it takes much less time than a turkey.

You will need a selection of nuts and this is season of nuts. You will also need a food processor to grind them to a paste. The kind of nuts you use influences the flavour and colour of the finished roast. Almonds, walnuts, cashews and some hazel nuts make an excellent vegetarian roast but be guided by your own tastes.

Grind the nuts and season them with salt, pepper and spices. Nutmeg is an ideal spice to use. Add some liquid such as vegetable stock and put the mixture into a tin. It should be baked in the oven for about an hour depending on size.

To accompany your vegetarian roast you will need sauces. Cranberry sauce is fine for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. An onion gravy made with vegetable stock will be eaten by all your guests.

Stuffing can be cooked in a separate dish. A combination of brown rice, dried fruit, chopped apples and spices will make a delicious accompaniment to the vegetarian roast. Just avoid adding meat fat. Rely on vegetable fat such as vegetarian suet.

For the visual aspect of a festive vegetarian meal you need to think about vegetables. Decorate your table with a variety of vegetable dishes. Baked squashes make a spectacular centre piece. Stuffed vegetables will show that you have taken that little bit of extra care about the meal.

If your meal is to be entirely vegetarian give the vegetables centre stage on your table. Their colours will delight the eyes of your diners. If you are entertaining vegetarians and non-vegetarians then the turkey will have to take pride of place. But all your guests will be able to tuck into the vegetarian dishes. Your meal may open their eyes to the world of vegetarian cuisine.

Remember that your vegetarian guests may be vegan. If you cannot ascertain this in advance then it will be as well to avoid the use of eggs and milk in your vegetarian dishes. A nust roast is often bound together with eggs but this is not essential. Cream sauces for dessert can be made from ground nuts. Cashews are always popular for this. Soya cream is also available.

When creating a cheese board take care to ensure that at least one cheese is made without rennet. Rennet comes from the lining of a cow's stomach and many vegetarians will not eat it. You might also like to have a few soy based cheeses. The soft soy based cheeses are an excellent option for guests who are watching their cholesterol levels as well as vegetarians and vegans.

The whole point of a holiday season is to share with friends and family. So if you are a non-vegetarian cooking for vegetarians or you are a vegetarian cooking for non-vegetarians make your festive table welcoming to all.

Abhishek has got some great tips on becoming a Vegetarian Download his FREE 108 Pages Ebook, "The Advantages Of Being A Vegetarian!" from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/81/index.htm Only limited Free Copies available.

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker

This convenient dehydrator makes great tasting, healthy snacks & jerky! Introducing the Snackmaster?? Encore???. It's Grey top and marbled design features 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky, and venison jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. The top mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the the heating chamber!You can make delicious beef jerky, turkey jerky, fish jerky, trail mix, homemade yogurt, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, dried tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, papaya and other dried fruits at a fraction of the cost. Make dried herbs and spices; also make potpourri and dried flowers for any occasion.


When people think of knives they tend to think of a few select companies; Kershaw is one of those well known companies. This company is a corporation that makes nothing but knives and is known for the quality of the knives While the company is international, and is owned by a Japanese group, it is located in Oregon in the United States. There are many different facets to these knives including where the company came from and the knives that they create

Kershaw Knives actually got its start in its current state of Oregon. The company was started in 1974 in Portland, Oregon. The knives were actually manufactured in Japan, however, and in three years, the company was bought by a Japanese company. While the company is American, it as always had a large amount of production in Japan.

This brand of knives is easily one of the most popular brands of knives in the United States. These knives have won multiple awards, with the latest being a "Knife of the Year" award. These knives are known both by those who need knives and those who simply want them.

When people think of these knives they tend to think of switch blades and other types of knives They often fail to realize that chef knives are some of the knives available through Kershaw knives These knives must be sharpened often, but offer a great blade for all of your kitchen work, from basic chopping to complete carving. The knives also have styling that matches many types of dinnerware, meaning that the knives fit well at the table.

The kitchen knives available from this company are incredibly useful. These kitchen knives are made of great knife steel, and allow for you to chop, dice, and slice with ease. The knives do require sharpening (as do all other types of knives), but offer you the craftsmanship and quality that you expect from a knife with the Kershaw name. These knives can and will be a great addition to your kitchen cutlery.

The blades of these knives are made from great knife steel that allows you to know that your knife is strong and durable. The blade is long enough to get the job done, and has the perfect blade that allows for ease of use.

The handle on these knives is second to none in the knife business. These knives feature a great handle that gives an ease of use through length and balance. All knives whether they are utility knives or kitchen cutlery, use their handles to maximize your ease of use. The handle is stylish, and is easy to grip and use.

Trying to buy these knives on line is incredibly easy. Just like any other type of product, these knives are available on line in multiple different forms. You can search by Kershaw knives and blades on line individually, and can also purchase them in sets. One place that you cannot purchase the knives on line, however, is off of the actual company website. The website simply links you to the local dealers who have the knives that you are looking for.

If you are looking to purchase Kershaw Knives on line, there are a few things that you should do. First, you need to figure out exactly what tool that you want and need. Knowing exactly what type of knife you need is a big help. After you have chosen the knife, you need to find that exact knife on multiple websites. Finding these knives on multiple websites on line is the only way to make sure that you are paying the lowest prices for the exact knife that you want.

For all your cutlery needs, including Kershaw Knives visit our site.

All of your cooking supplies can be found at KitchenwareInc.com" at competitive prices.

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Nesco American Harvest FD-61 Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker

This convenient dehydrator makes great tasting, healthy snacks & jerky! Introducing the Snackmaster?? Encore???. It's Grey top and marbled design features 500 watts of drying power, and generates maximum speed and quality for dehydrating fruits, vegetables, beef jerky, and venison jerky. Helps dry food in hours, not days like ordinary food dehydrators. The top mounted fan eliminates the worry of liquids dripping into the the heating chamber!You can make delicious beef jerky, turkey jerky, fish jerky, trail mix, homemade yogurt, apple snacks, banana chips, dried soup mixes, dried tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, papaya and other dried fruits at a fraction of the cost. Make dried herbs and spices; also make potpourri and dried flowers for any occasion.


The colorful national fruit of Jamaica, the ackee, is as interesting as it is delicious when prepared in a spicy saute of salted codfish, onions and tomatoes, the color and consistency of which reminds visitors to the island of scrambled eggs.

HISTORY

Ackee fruits are borne on a large evergreen tree which grows to 30-60 feet and is related to the lychee and longan. The tree was brought to Jamaica from West Africa aboard slave ships in the 1770's. The name is derived from the Twi language in which it is known as "akye fufu". The botanical name of the ackee is Blighia sapida, a reference to Captain William Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame who brought the ackee plant from Jamaica to Kew Gardens, London in 1793 and introduced it to the scientific community.

DESCRIPTION AND COMPOSITION

The ackee consists of a bright red leathery pod roughly the size and shape of a pear, within which are 3-4 fleshy, yellow pegs called arils-the edible portion of the ackee. Each aril bears a shiny black seed at its tip. When mature the pods open to reveal the arils, which are about 55% lipid in dry weight, all unsaturated fats (omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids) and rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid. There has been absolutely no substantiation that omega 6 fatty acids have a role in the causation of prostate cancer as was reported from the University of Chicago earlier this year.

ECONOMIC IMPACT AND PROPER PREPARATION

No Jamaican Sunday breakfast is complete without 'ackee and saltfish', and every Jamaican expatriate yearns for this taste of home. As a result, the export of ackee canned in brine to North America and the UK has become a JA$400 million dollar per year export market for Jamaica, a valuable source of revenue for this third world country still deeply in arrears to its international debtors. The availability of canned ackee in the US has been subject to intermittent import restrictions by the US Department of Agriculture because when improperly harvested and prepared, ackee can also be lethal: the unripe fruit contains the poison hypoglycin which causes a precipitous drop in blood sugar levels and produces coma, seizures and death if untreated. The ackee pods must be mature and open naturally on the tree to allow for disappearance of the toxin from the arils upon exposure to sunlight. The arils must be cleaned, washed and boiled and the water discarded to remove remnants of hypoglycin. Follow these simple rules and ackee is no problem, mon! In addition, ackee processing plants in Jamaica are subject to strict analytic controls to satisfy requirements of hypoglycin levels less than 100-150 parts per million in the canned product.

OTHER USES OF THE ACKEE

In Africa and other Caribbean islands the ackee has many non-edible uses: In Cuba, an extract of the ackee flower is used to make cologne; along Africas Gold Coast the green pods are used for washing clothes as they produce a rich lather. Also in West Africa, the bark of the tree is ground with hot peppers and applied to the body as a stimulant. The bark may also be used to make a medicinal tea, and the young leaves applied to the forehead for headaches.

Now your tootsies can get intimate with this emblem of Jamaica: colorful cartoonized ackees grace the soles of the flip flop sandals of the new Miami-based sandal company JAMFLIPS.

JAMFLIPS is a family-owned company based in Miami, Florida, USA, specializing in unique, comfortable Caribbean flip flop sandals. Visit us on-line at http://www.jamflips.com

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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook

A guide to food dehydrating shows readers how to make preservative-free dried apple rings, candied apricots, beef and fish jerkies, sun-dried tomatoes, corn chips, herb seasonings, dried fruit sugars, and more. 100,000 first printing. Tour.


There is an idiom that you have likely heard--"the salt of the earth." That saying refers to a person who is someone you can count on, who does not put on airs but is a decent, good person.

The seasoning salt is rather like that idiom. Salt is a basic seasoning that is used in many of our favorite dishes and is useful in other applications around the house. You will find it in your favorite foods at every meal, as well as an important ingredient to recipes such as bread, salsas and chips. Organic salt, along with bulk organic spices, supply your kitchen with the taste controllers you need to put savory foods on the table morning, noon and night.

Seasoning Blends

Many blends of bulk herbs and spices can be made more zesty with the addition of organic salt. Imagine fajitas seasoned with black pepper, onion and garlic powders, cumin, coriander, lemon peel, oregano, parsley and cayenne, then brought to perfection by a little sprinkle of organic salt.

Creole foods like gumbo would not be the same without Cajun seasonings comprised of specially blended organic salt and spices. Savory Cajun foods shine when you add a seasoning blend of black pepper, cayenne, organic salt, garlic, onion and paprika. Southern Red Beans and Rice dishes can benefit from the addition of these wonderful Cajun seasonings as well. Cajun seasoning blends are also useful as a dry rub that can be used with fish or chicken that gets sauteed or even barbecued on the grill.

Salt itself can be seasoned by the addition of different herbs and spices in bulk A delicious rub that can be used on beef steaks, pork spareribs, hamburgers, and even fish fillets can start with salt that is flavored with pepper, paprika, and a smoky malt that goes by the name of Hickory salt.

You can make your own special blends of organic salt, herbs and spices suited to your favorite dishes. If you cook a lot at home, it does save money to purchase spices in bulk. That way, you will have a good supply and not run out when you are cooking late at night, at a crucial moment in putting together an anticipated dish.

Other Uses for Salt

In addition to cooking, salt makes a wonderful organic home cleaner. By combining vinegar with salt in a sturdy spray bottle, you have created a non-toxic counter cleaner that will help you scrub away dirt and grime.

Anne Harvester is an herbalist who has studied the benefits of organic foods and healthy living. In this article, she explores organic salt and spices, cajun seasonings, and bulk herbs and spices.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Nesco American Harvest 5-Tray FD-35 425-Watt Snackmaster Dehydrator

Drying apple slices in just five hours and beef jerky in seven, this 425-watt dehydrator is exceptionally fast for its price range. Its patented hot-air circulation system ensures not only speed but uniformity, so foods dry evenly. Each of the five trays is 13-1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep (the plastic dehydrator stands 10 inches high), providing more than 12 square feet of tray space for drying lots of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers at one time. Available separately is a two-tray accessory pack that expands the dehydrator to seven trays. Also available separately are accessories for drying fruit rolls, soups, and sauces and for making jerky from ground meat. Accompanying the dehydrator is a detailed instruction booklet with a drying-time chart for various foods and recipes for cooking with dried foods. --Fred Brack


Beef jerky is known to be the go-to product for people who need to bring along food, but lack refrigeration -- hikers, campers and hunters to name a few. With a food that seems to last forever and does not need to be refrigerated, it seems as if there is no such thing as beef jerky risks. However, as with any food preparation, there are some risks associated with the making of beef jerky.

See, when you really think about it, beef jerky is never cooked. That said, what then makes the meat safe to eat? Drying meat actually dates back thousands of years as a way to preserve portions of meat like buffalo and cattle that could not otherwise be saved. Think about it -- refrigeration just came into play this century, really. The principle behind the safe preservation of meat through drying is that the moisture is removed, meaning there is no longer a way for enzymes containing bacteria or fungus to react with the food. There are very few beef jerky risks when it comes to commercially-made beef jerky. This is because the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set guidelines for beef jerky makers to follow, and like any manufacturer, they are monitored. But, when making at home beef jerky risks are more plausible. The reason for this is that the meat may not get to the right temperature before it is dried, which can cause some bacteria to be left behind. Meat should be heated to 160 F and poultry to 165 F before the dehydration process. Then follow the recipe instructions, which usually keep a dehydrator at 130-140 F. If the meat is not heated to par before the drying process starts, whether it is in a dehydrator or oven, the bacteria will become heat resistant. If bacteria are left behind on meat, salmonella and E. coli or other food born illnesses can infect those who eat the jerky.

Here are some tips directly from the USDA to reduce beef jerky risks when making at home:

Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after working with meat products.

Use clean equipment and utensils.

Keep meat and poultry refrigerated at 40 F or slightly below. Use or freeze ground beef and poultry within 2 days; whole red meats, within 3 to 5 days.

Defrost frozen meat in the refrigerator, not on the kitchen counter.

Marinate meat in the refrigerator. Don't save marinade to reuse. Marinades are used to tenderize and flavor the jerky before dehydrating it.

Steam or roast meat to 160 F and poultry to 165 F as measured with a food thermometer before dehydrating it.

Dry meats in a food dehydrator that has an adjustable temperature dial and will maintain a temperature of at least 130 to 140 F throughout the drying process.

For ground beef jerky prepared at home, safety concerns related to E. coli are minimized if the meat is precooked to 160 F prior to drying.

Homemade jerky can only be stored for one to two months, while commercially produced jerky can last a year.

Another beef jerky risk is the sodium content. Beef jerky is a good snack for those who want to eliminate carbs from their diet, and also some jerky is low in fat. However, most jerky is extremely high in sodium. A 30 g serving of beef jerky could contain more than 515 mg of sodium, which would be 21% of the recommended daily value. While salt is essential to our survival, too much sodium in a diet can cause high blood pressure. So, people who indulge in beef jerky often, as well as other salty foods may want to watch what they eat.

If you found this information on beef jerky risks useful, you'll want to read this article about alligator beef jerky.

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Monday, February 16, 2009

Nesco Clean-a-Screen for Dehydrator Item# 168605, Model# LM-2-6

Screen flexes to remove sticky fruits and jerky quickly and easily. Herbs and spices wont fall through tray spokes. Includes 2 screens. Dishwasher safe. U.S.A.


Beef jerky is one of the most preferred American foods but sometimes buying this in the local grocery store can be quite costly. There are also risks in buying commercially and artificially prepared beef jerky products because of their rich preservative and chemical contents, which are proven to be harmful to the human body.

So what can we do to remedy the cost as well as the content problem of beef jerky products found in the grocery? The answer is simple, don't buy them. Instead, make your own beef jerky in the comforts of your kitchen. The process is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Today, you will be able to learn the proper way of making your very own home made beef jerky. We'll teach you how.

How Is It Done

The most basic ingredient is obviously the meat. You can choose from a wide variety of meat choices like lamb, pork, but the most common and original choice is the beef meat. You should choose a cut of meat that will save you more time in preparation. Some of the choice cuts are mostly the lean cut portions such as sirloin, top round, eye round, and a few others more. Lean cuts are basically the meat portions with the least fat content. If you are quite unsure which part of the meat to choose, you can always ask the help of the butcher or the attendant.

The next step in the preparation process is the slicing of thin meat strips. There are some butchers who will do this freely for you - all you have to do is ask. There are actually two ways of slicing the meat. One is by following the thread lines of the meat and the other one is by slicing across the thread lines. You must trim any fat included in the meat because the fat contents will not dry out. If you do not do this, the beef jerky won't taste as good. If you are having problems slicing the soft meat, you can always refrigerate it for about thirty minutes prior to slicing. This process freezes the meat a little, making the slicing process a bit easier.

Now that you have prepared the meat slices, you can start marinating it. The most common recipe for marinating is the mixture of cider vinegar and rock sea salt. There are also other recipes you can use in marinating your beef jerky. The whole idea here is to allow the meat to absorb the flavor of the marinade.

If you want your beef jerky a bit stickier, you can put the soaked meat inside the refrigerator in about four up to twenty four hours. If otherwise, just lay it down on the kitchen table where air circulates constantly. After soaking, you can now coat the meat with a variety of seasonings you like.

The final step in the preparation of beef jerky is the dehydration process. You can either use a dehydrator or an oven for this. You must make sure that you lay down your meat in an orderly manner so that you can avoid any meat touching one other. When you're using the oven, you should preheat it first and then set the temperature to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, that's about 65 degrees Celsius.

The dehydration process allows the meat moisture to evaporate gradually. This may take about six to twelve hours, depending on the temperature, the level of humidity, and the thickness of your meat slices. You should regularly check the jerky slices if it's dry enough to your preference, but not too dry. To ensure that it is not raw, you may need to cut into it. The final color of each beef jerky must turn into deep brown or burgundy.

When all of the beef jerky slices are ready, you can place them inside plastic bags and store them in the freezer or refrigerator. You can then enjoy your home made beef jerky after a week.

Bernadette Guadiz is an expert writer that has been in the online writing industry for several years. She specializes in SEO and keyword-rich articles for website content, blogs, and even forum postings. Should you wish to hire her services, you can contact her through a safe outsourcing website via http://www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder/SoftwareCoders/showBioInfo.asp?lngAuthorId=6956948

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