Why? Because you can! And pickle, and jam, or otherwise celebrate the resurgence of the domestic arts our forebears held so dear. Put on your best apron and step into our kitchen, won't you?
Dried strawberries are easy to make and just heavenly to eat. And strawberry season is in full swing. (Well, not in Minnesota. My strawberry plants are still sleeping under six inches of snow.) Take advantage while berries are fresh and inexpensive.
My obsession with jerky knows no bounds. This honey, ginger and garlic beef jerky is my new favorite go to snack! Fresh garlic and fresh ginger are used for a zingy marinade.
Here's a way to use the entire apple in drying. I got the idea for Apple Dust from drying leftover skins from canning tomatoes. My dust has a lovely pink color & a light apple flavor. Perfect for mixing into yogurt, oatmeal & pancakes.
I completely ran out of onion powder one day, and thought to myself - I can do that! So it's been a mission to dehydrate all my own powders ever since. And this one is effortless.
Homemade raisins from my own grape tree! They are smaller than the raisins you buy in a store, which is nicer in some ways because their sweetness comes in little bursts. These would be really great in muffins or cookies, etc.
Grass-fed beef is perfect for jerky. Naturally lean, the rich mineral flavor of the beef shines through. I made two kinds of jerky, one with smoked salt, maple and mustard, the other with dark soy and garlic chili paste.
For the more hardcore DIY enthusiast in your life, here's a selection of tools that are sure to make them squeal with glee when they see them under the tree.
.jpg "Onions: Minced. Dried. Pulverized.")
