Party Treat That Makes You A Rock Star

Written by Jon Manning on 08 October 2016.

BERRIES (OR FRUIT OF YOUR CHOOSING) PUREE JERKY

I’m not talking about those processed, cut-out rolls of food coloring and sugar. I’m talking about the easy peasy homemade ones! Master this, and you will be a pro in no time. Your kids and friends will think you are a superhero for actually making something so delicious and good for them.

I’m going to show you how to make berries puree jerky. That doesn’t mean you only have to make fruit jerky with the fruits I choose. You get to make these out of anything you want, that’s the fun part! Get creative, and use the fruits your family likes best!

CHOOSE WHOLE FOOD

Since the fruit is being concentrated down, it is a healthy choice to choose organic. You don’t want a fruit jerky filled with pesticides.
As far as honey goes, the amount you use will depend on your taste buds and the fruit you choose. Since I prefer strawberry, cranberry and rhubarb, I used the whole 4 Tbsp of honey. Usually, I only add 2 Tbsp if I use sweeter fruit. The lemon juice will give any fruit flavor a pop! If your fruit is not watery, then you should add a few tablespoons just so the pan doesn’t burn.

THE CHEWINESS

There are many different recipes for making fruit jerky out there, but when I tried them, most would turn out too thin. We like the fruit jerky nice and chewy at my house, so I found a way that works every time! By cooking the fruit down you are concentrating the flavor and taking out some water. The honey gives it that nice soft chew for little mouths.

STRAWBERRY & RHUBARB PUREE JERKY USING A FOOD DEHYDRATOR

PREP TIME : 30 min
COOK TIME : 8 hr
TOTAL TIME : 8 hr 30 min

Ingredients

1. 2 cups rhubarb
2. 1 cup strawberry or cranberry
3. 2-4 Tbsp honey
4. 1 Tbsp lemon juice
5. 2-4 Tbsp of water (as needed)

Instructions

1. Measure and cut 3 cups of fruit total (your choice). Fresh or defrosted frozen fruit is great.
2. Add the fruit, honey, lemon juice, and water (if needed) to your pan. Cover with a lid. Cook on low until the fruit is released in juices and combined together. Let it cook down until thickened.
3. Allow the fruit to cool. Add the cooked fruit to your blender and blend until very smooth.
4. Spread the thick puree onto a dehydrator sheet lined with Silpat or parchment paper (14″ x 14″). It should be spread on thick. Use a spatula to get a nice even surface (important, so it dries evenly!).
5. Dehydrate at 58 °C. Takes 8-11 hours depending on method, thickness and fruit of your fruit jerky.
6. Carefully peel fruit jerky off sheet and cut into 12 strips. Roll in parchment paper strips and seal the end with a staple (an easy and simple way to keep it together, as tape does not stick to parchment paper).
   
   
   
   

Weekday Dried Apple Ring Recipe

Written by Jon Manning on 07 October 2016.

A 5lb bag of apples will make an ice cream pail full of apple rings. But they never last long; they’re a hot commodity in our house. They’re definitely one of the easiest snacks to make, store and take along anywhere.

TIPS FOR HOMEMADE APPLE RINGS IN THE DEHYDRATOR

• You don’t need to add any sweeteners when drying apples. The natural sugars in the apples get more intense during the drying process making them sweet enough for everyone to enjoy.
  
  
  
  
• Preferably using Spartan, Granny Smith or McIntosh apples that aren’t too sweet. Some apples like Galas become almost too sweet when dried.
• Soaking, dipping or spraying apple slices with lemon juice or salt to prevent browning is completely optional. Look at the photo below, the apples in the center were soaked in lemon juice and water, the others were not. Because the difference is so little, I’ve stopped using any anti-browning techniques when drying apples.
  
  
  
  
• If you prefer the brighter apple rings, soak apple rings in a solution of 1/4 cup (125 ml) lemon juice to 1 quart (1 litre) cold water.
  
  
  
  
• Accept the fact that homemade apple rings will not be exactly like store bought apple rings, they won’t be as soft or pliable. Why? Because most store bought varieties have added preservatives so they can be stored for long periods with a higher moisture content. Your homemade apple rings don’t have any preservatives so they have to be drier in order to store well.
  
  
  
  

DRIED APPLE RINGS USING A FOOD DEHYDRATOR

Homemade apple rings are a delicious snack. Make big batches of these and store them in a tightly sealed container, they'll store for months. That is, if they don't get eaten right away!

PREP TIME : 30 min
COOK TIME : 6 hr
TOTAL TIME : 6 hr 30 min

Ingredients

1. 5 lb apples
2. 3 Tbsp cinnamon
3. 1/4 cup lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash, peel and core apples.
2. Slice apples thinly and evenly (1/4 inch), use a mandolin if possible.
3. If desired, soak slices in a mix of 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 quart water to avoid any browning.
4. Place rings on dehydrator trays leaving a little space around each slice for air circulation. If you soaked your apples, shake off as much excess liquid as possible before laying on tray.
5. Sprinkle slices with a light dusting of cinnamon.
6. Dehydrate at 62°C for 6 to 8 hours.
7. Check apples for any moisture on outside and inside. The slices should feel dry and leathery without any tackiness. Rip a slice in half to see if there is any moisture on the inside - it should look like dry dense sponge.
8. Allow to cool several hours before storing in an airtight bag or container.
9. Store in a dry, cool, dark place for several months