really old style living?

annie123

carriebradshaw wrote: »

the sun doesn't come in here very much all sadly so I can't do that, haven't got the floor space either. I thought maybe if I could do them in the micro or a warm oven it would be a solution,I thought someone here on OS might have tried it but I guess I'll have to have a google then and see what I can find

CB the link below tells you how to air/oven/microwave dry them

http://www.allotment.org.uk/allotment_foods/drying-food/Drying-Fresh-Herbs.php

I do it by air/oven never thought to use the microwave, so much easier and quicker, I must try it.

carriebradshaw

annie123 wrote: »

CB the link below tells you how to air/oven/microwave dry them

http://www.allotment.org.uk/allotment_foods/drying-food/Drying-Fresh-Herbs.php

I've do it by air/oven never thought to use the microwave, so much easier and quicker, I must try it.

thanks hon I was having a google about and found that drying in the oven took too long, so too much would be electric used
I've been having a little go in the micro with thyme and rosemary in between an oldclean tea towel and seems successful so far :T Will try mint and chives next

annie123

If drying by oven, only use left over heat from something bigger.
Apple rings dry really well with leftover heat from baking, they seem to take on a lovely taste.

Pleased the microwave worked for you, will try it on my rosemary, lavender, and mint.

Broomstick

Annie,

With apple rings how thick do you cut them? How do you know when they are dry enough? How long do they keep?

I'm thinking that this might be a good solution for cheap munchies and lunchbox food and I really like the idea of using the residual heat in the oven.

B x

annie123

I cut them about 1/4" thick in slices, and dip in a diluted lemon juice to stop them going brown.
Place them on a rack and pop them into the oven when I've finished cooking whatever and just leave them in there till cold, turning after an hour or so, then leave them on the work surface,in a day or 2 they are done.

I also air dry them,as above except, instead of in the oven, put a piece of bamboo garden pole through them and hang in the sunshine, again done in a few days.

I keep them in a Tupperware box with a piece of kitchen roll at the bottom, seem to keep for months, and yes great for lunch boxes.

Can also do banana chips too;)


http://www.ehow.com/how_3906_dry-apples.html

zarazara

I'm saving up for a fruit drier.

Wee_Jo

zarazara wrote: »

You've got me on a roll here, theres bee keeping,willow weaving,wood turning,hurdle making,pottery making. My friends place has reed bed sewer management,it works well,they have 3 large fish ponds stocked with fish and they "discharge" into them so they must do their job and clean up the effluent. The Centre for Alternative Technology at Machyncleth [sp?] has tonnes of info and runs courses about all sorts of eco stuff.

I've been to CAT too - it is absolutely fantastic, when I was there I learnt how to make a rammed earth wall

I love this thread, thanks for starting it Mardatha! We live in London so not much scope for this at the moment BUT I think I may have found a little patch of land through the Land Share scheme not too far from where I work that I hope to be able to start my little veggie patch :T

In the long term hubby and I would love to become a bit more self sufficient, maybe start with some chickens (we need them, with the number of eggs we go through in a week!) I think though that we would have to consider very carefully keeping animals, mainly because hubby's family have kept cows (beef, not dairy) for years and it does take a lot of work and requires either very friendly family or neighbours if you want to go away at all!

Jo

zarazara

Yes, Thanks Mardatha,Great thread.

mardatha

It was just the Victorian farm prog going to my head. LOL ! But every bit of knowledge helps, doesn't it.

Broomstick

Annie - that's really helpful. Thank you. Apple rings tomorrow night then.