Your Guide to Countertop Cooking
A jerky gun is a great addition to your kitchen toolbox, especially if you are looking for a simple way to prepare jerky in your oven or food dehydrator. Traditional beef jerky is made from thinly slicing meat. An easier way to get started with beef or venison jerky is to start with ground meat and a jerky gun. In this article, I will review five popular jerky gun models. If you’re in a hurry, check out our top pick,...
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Food dehydrating has been a longstanding practice used to preserve food dating back to ancient times. It preserves food by removing moisture which in turn inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria. The reduction in water content also makes shrinks the size of the food making it easier to store for the long term. In this article, we cover some of the best foods for dehydrating. Benefits of dehydrating food There are many benefits to dehydrating food for...
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Are you interested in food dehydrating, but don’t know where to start? Our rundown of the best budget food dehydrators will help get you started enjoying the benefits of a food dehydrator. In this review, we cover 4 top affordable dehydrators: the Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro, the Presto 06031 Dehydro, the Hamilton Beach 32100A, and the Gourmia GFD1550 Cut + Dry Auto Dehydrator. All four are solid contenders in the budget price range, but the one that stands out is the . Read our...
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Don’t let the pumpkin seeds from your Halloween Jack O Lantern go to waste. They’re a tasty snack that I like to make in a food dehydrator. Pumpkin seeds contain many essential minerals like zinc and magnesium. Also, they are a great source of fiber and rich in protein and healthy omega-3 fats. Read more about their nutrition here. Many of the nutrients hold up well to dehydrating. Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to make them. Drying pumpkin...
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Beef and other types of meat jerky are one of those items that seem to be expensive when bought a grocery store. A price of $20 to $30 per pound is not uncommon. Homemade jerky is easy to make in your kitchen using a food dehydrator and costs significantly less. In this article, we discuss the best cuts of beef, pork, and poultry to use for making your own jerky. What is the Best Cut of Meat for Making Jerky?...
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Using a food dehydrator is an excellent way to preserve food for storage that otherwise would have a short shelf life. Whether you want to take advantage of a grocery store sale, create some healthy snack for your family, or make your own dog treats with locally sourced ingredients, this guide will cover what you need to know to store your tasty creations. What Foods Can Be Dehydrated All kinds fruit, vegetables, and meat can be dehydrated if prepared properly....
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If you’re like me, you love bananas. They are inexpensive, pack great nutrition, and are a great snack when on the run. The problem I have is there is a small window to eat them before they get too ripe. This makes them a great fruit to dry in your food dehydrator to preserve their shelf life. Dried banana chips are great, but the commercially available ones have a bunch of added ingredients like sugar and coconut oil. Some manufacturers...
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Figs are a great fruit to dry in your food dehydrator. In raw form, they are perishable, so should be refrigerated if kept for more than a few days. If refrigerated, they typically last for 5-7 days, depending on ripeness. To significantly extend the shelf life, I like to dry them in a dehydrator. Dried figs can last for up to a year if properly stored in a dry location that is cool and dark. Figs have great nutritional value,...
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The Zojirushi NS TGC10 is a 5 1/2 cup rice cooker which doubles as a steamer and uses microcomputer logic to control the cooking process. It can handle all types of rice: white, brown, sushi rice, mixed (rice plus additional ingredients). The exterior is stainless steel which looks great and is easy to clean. Key Features My favorite feature is the ability to cook any type of rice to perfection. The microchip (or “brain”) of the rice cooker automatically adjusts...
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