08/18/2008

PROCTOR'S TIPS: Store summer flavors by drying your crops

My guess is that there are several thousand plums ripening on my two trees. Even the squirrels are satiated. Rather than let them go to waste, I'm making prunes. Last year my bumper crop of grapes became raisins.
Drying is the oldest method of food preservation, practiced by humans since ancient times. It's made a bit easier by an electric food dehydrator. Many types are available at cooking stores or other retailers, as well as online. These dehydrators use just the right mix of air circulation and heat (about 130 degrees F) to remove about 80 percent of the moisture in the fruit or vegetables. Reducing the moisture content to levels that inhibit the growth of microorganisms allows the dried food to be stored for up to a year. Most dehydrators consist of stackable trays, a heat source and a fan.
The preparation varies a bit for the type of fruit or vegetable you're drying. With plums, for example, I'm cutting them in half, removing the pits and arranging the halves on the trays with the cavity side up. Cherries, peaches and apricots are usually treated this way. Many fruits and vegetables are simply cut into 1/4 inch strips. This includes bananas, tomatoes, pineapple, apples and pears. To prevent darkening of the fruit, some people dip the slices in an equal mix of cold water and lemon juice for 10 minutes before drying. This may also help prevent bacterial growth. Some people also blanch the fruit before drying.
The time it takes to dry the produce depends on the moisture content of the food, the sizes of the pieces and the equipment you use. After drying, the food should be conditioned. Take the cooled, dried fruit and pack it loosely in glass or plastic containers. Seal them tightly and shake daily for 4 or 5 days. This allows any excess moisture in larger pieces or those furthest from the heat source to be absorbed by the driest pieces. If condensation develops in the container, return it to the dehydrator for more drying.
When completed, seal the food in moisture-proof containers or zip-lock bags. I prefer to refrigerate them and use them within 6 months or a year. Many of the dried fruits such as the banana chips, raisins and prunes make tasty snacks. All the produce can be reconstituted for use in cooking. To do this, place the fruit or vegetables in a bowl and cover them with boiling water. Allow them to stand for an hour to reabsorb moisture. Reconstituted fruit can be used in pies, cobblers, puddings, or cooked cereals such as oatmeal, as well as soups, casseroles and stews.
From http://www.agriculture-supplier.com/ agriculture-supplier

05:28 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this

O3 Washing Machine

6 ADVANTAGES1. No laundry detergent is needed. No more harm done to violate human body done bythe chemical residue of laundry detergent chemistry.2.Washing with active oxygen water: The technique of active oxygen water washingis being adopted to achieve better results of a traditional washing machine in thecleaness.3. Disinfection:
a) The active oxygen is generally accepted throughout the world as a broad-spectrum,highly efficient and fast bactericide with a killing rate of up to 99.9%.
b) No bacteria cross-infection, no more worry to separate underwear and outerwearin washing.
c) While washing, open the machine cover and let the emitted active oxygen kill thecirculated germs and keep the indoor with fresh air.4. Elimination of peculiar odor: The characteristic function of active oxygen watercan be used to disengage the organic matter smell from the fabric in the clothesand peculiar odor will be eliminated eventually. No mildew smell will be producedeven in the rainy season or wet weather.5. En...


From http://www.chemical-suppliers-china.com/ chemical-suppliers

05:27 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this

Inergy buys NY salt company for natural gas storage

Reality star-turned-style icon Lauren Conrad is hoping to expand her clothing line to cater to skateboarders - like her teenage brother.
The Hills star has had mixed success with her first fashion line.

But Conrad has been asked to design the gown Miss Emmy will wear at the upcoming Emmy Awards in September - and now she's says she plans on branching out with her 16-year-old brother Brandon.
She explains, "He's got this really cool style, and I'm always bugging him that we should do a guys' line together."
From http://www.chemical-suppliers-china.com/ chemical-suppliers

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