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Podcast Episode 8:
Making Dried Food Gifts

SEASON 2

Susan Gast, founder of Easy Food Dehydrating

by: Susan Gast / Author, Blogger at Beesville Books, Bored Boomers, and a Food Dehydrating Fanatic!

Making Dried Food Gifts

Making Dried Food Gifts Podcast, Season 2, Episode 8Podcast Created With Google's AI NotebookLM

Thanks for checking out this Podcast Making Dried Food Gifts

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00:04
Hello, and welcome to Easy Food Dehydrating, the show that teaches you how to safely dehydrate and store fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables along with cooked meats. Let's get going!

00:21
Alright. Let's, dive into something a little different for this deep dive. Dehydrated food gifts.

Oh, interesting.

Yeah. So we're gonna be talking about homemade and healthy gifts and, you know, stuff that will last a lot longer than your typical Right. Holiday fruitcake.

Yeah. I love that idea. It's so practical, but, you know, it still has, like, a charm to it. Right.

It's like you're giving the gift of flavor... Exactly.

That can be enjoyed way after the holidays are over.

Yeah. And to help us with this, we are using Susan Gast's website, Easy Food Dehydrating.

Oh, cool.

00:56
I think it's so interesting how dehydrating has been around forever.

Yeah.

But it's like making a comeback.

It is.

You know, people are more aware of food waste these days, and they wanna be able to preserve those seasonal flavors.

Yeah. For sure. Like, imagine being able to capture the sweetness of summer and then savor it in the middle of winter.

I love that.

01:15
And the best part is it's Easy. It's pretty easy. Yeah. You don't need, like, a fancy lab or anything.

No. Not at all. And what I really like about Susan's website is that she makes it feel so approachable. Yeah. Even if you're a total beginner. Right. So you can use a dehydrator.

Yeah.

But she also has tips for oven drying if that's more your speed.

And speaking of starting out... Yeah. She really stresses how important it is to choose ripe fruit if you want the best results.

Oh, that makes sense.

Yeah. The more sugar in the fruit, the more concentrated the sweetness. Right.

Exactly.

It's all dried up.

Exactly.

01:48
I think a lot of people think that dehydrating will, like, magically ripen the fruit. Yeah. But that's not how it works.

No. It doesn't.

You're taking the moisture out. Right.

And that intensifies the existing flavors and sweetness.

So if you start with, like, a bland under-ripe strawberry... Yep.

You're gonna end up with a bland under-ripe dried strawberry.

Exactly. Nobody wants that.

Okay. So let's say we've got our perfectly ripe fruit. We're ready to go. What's next?

Okay.

02:15
So Susan recommends that you slice the fruit evenly to make sure that it dries at the same rate.

That makes sense.

You don't want some pieces to get, like, brittle while others are still... Yeah. Kinda moist.

Yeah. It's like a fruit Tetris, making sure everything fits on the dehydrator tray.

Exactly. And it's not just about how it looks.

Right.

That consistent drying is really important to keep those vibrant colors and flavors.

And here's where I think things get really interesting. Susan actually encourages us to embrace the imperfect fruits.

Oh, I love that.

Yes. Yeah? Like, you know, the ones that might be a little misshapen or have a few blemishes.

Right. Because so much produce goes to waste. Just because it doesn't look perfect. Yeah. And dehydrating is such a good way to, like, rescue those fruits and veggies and make them into something delicious.

Give them a second chance to shine. Exactly. And, honestly, once it's all sliced and diced, no one's gonna know if your apple... Mhmm. Wasn't perfectly round.

Exactly. It's about the flavor, not the looks. Right.

03:13
So we've got our fruit sliced. Dehydrator's doing its thing. How do we know when it's ready?

This is where patience is key. Dehydrating takes time.

And Susan really stresses the importance of testing for dryness. Okay.

Because different fruits have different moisture levels. Right. So there's no, like, one-size fits all answer.

Yeah. She's got some great tips on her website for checking for dryness, like pressing on the fruit to see if any moisture comes out.

Oh, yeah.

You want it to be like... Leathery.

Yeah. That leathery texture.

Pliable, but not sticky... Right.

Or moist.

Okay. So I have a question, and it might be a silly question. Sure.

03:51
But does drying fruit in a dehydrator destroy all the nutrients? That's a great question. Because I know... And a very common one. That heat can sometimes affect the nutritional value of food.

The good news is that dehydrating actually keeps a lot of those vitamins and minerals.

Oh, wow.

And because you're taking the water out, the nutrients become more concentrated.

So it's like a little nutritional powerhouse.

Exactly. Right. And there's no added sugar or preservatives.

That's great. Especially if you're looking for a healthy snack option.

Right.

Okay. So let's talk about the fun part. Turning these dehydrated goodies into gifts that people will actually want.

04:29
Yeah. Presentation is everything.

Yeah. It is.

And Susan has some great ideas. Yes.

She does.

For taking those dried treats from Meh to Magnificent.

Alright. So first Okay.

Mason jars.

Yes.

They are our best friend.

Love them.

They look cute. Adorable. And they create an airtight seal.

Yeah. So they keep everything fresh.

Like little flavor vaults. Exactly. And Susan recommends layering the dried fruits in the jar to make it look pretty.

Oh, Oh, that's a good idea.

And maybe add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few sprigs of rosemary.

Sensory experience.

It is the thing.

It's not just about the taste.

05:03
And for that extra wow factor, ribbons, twine. Yes. Maybe a handwritten note.

So thoughtful. Right?

Love that. K. I am already feeling inspired, but let's take a quick pause here. And when we come back, we'll get into some of Susan's creative gift basket ideas and explore the world of dehydrated vegetables.

Sounds delicious.

Don't go anywhere.

05:26

Sponsor Message
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06:12
Welcome back.

Now let's move on from all that fruity goodness and talk about dehydrating vegetables.

Oh, okay.

Yeah. So Susan's website has a whole section dedicated to drying vegetables, and it's just as exciting as the fruit section.

Really? I'm intrigued. I've always focused on fruit when it comes to dehydrating.

But I do love the idea of, like, crispy veggie chips. Right.

06:36
Or preserving those garden fresh herbs. Right.

It's a total game changer, especially if you've got, like, a garden overflowing with zucchini and tomatoes. Alright. Yeah. Like you're hitting the pause button on those flavors. Right. And you can enjoy them all year round.

I love that. And, of course, we can't forget the nutritional benefits. Dehydrated veggies keep a lot of their vitamins and minerals.

Right.

So that's a really healthy snack option.

And Susan even mentions that dehydrating can actually enhance the flavor of some veggies, like tomatoes.

Oh, interesting.

Yeah. Apparently, the drying process... Yeah.... Intensifies the natural sweetness and all those savory notes.

07:09
That makes sense. Like, sun dried tomatoes, they have so much more flavor than fresh tomatoes.

Exactly.

And speaking of flavor, Susan has some really great tips for seasoning dehydrated vegetables. Okay. Like experimenting with different herbs and spices. Oh, fun.

Even citrus zest. Mhmm. To create your own unique flavor combinations.

I love that she encourages people to be creative in the kitchen.

Yeah.

It's not just preserving food. It's like transforming it into something totally new.

And the beauty of dehydrating is you control the ingredients. So you can avoid all those added sugars and preservatives. Yeah. That are in store bought snacks.

Absolutely a win-win.

Right.

07:48
Oh, and she also has a recipe for kale chips! Oh, nice.

Seasoned with nutritional yeast to give them that cheesy, savory flavor.

Kale chips, I've heard so much about them, but I've always been a little intimidated to try making them myself.

Yeah. Well, Susan makes it sound super easy, and she has tips for getting that perfect crispy texture.

Oh, k. What's the secret?

The key is to massage the kale with a little bit of oil... Yeah. Before dehydrating.

And that helps it crisp up.

Interesting. Who knew there was so much to learn about kale chips?

I know. It's a whole world.

This is making me realize that dehydrating is more than just a preservation method.

Yeah.

08:27
It's like a whole culinary adventure.

It really is. One of the things I find most intriguing is the possibility of creating your own powdered seasonings.

Oh, powdered seasonings. Tell me more.

So you can dehydrate herbs, and then grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle.

That's such a great idea. Imagine having all these jars full of homemade herb powder.

Alright.

It would make any dish taste gourmet.

And they're free of any additives or anti-caking agents, so you're getting pure concentrated flavor.

I love that. And you're reducing waste too because you can use up those herbs that are starting to wilt.

Right. Give them a second life. A culinary magic trick...

Turning something past its prime into a pantry staple.

Right.

09:11
Speaking of pantry staples, Susan also recommends dehydrating veggies for long-term storage, especially if you have a big garden harvest.

That makes sense. Dehydrated vegetables take up way less space, and they can last for months. Yeah. If not years if you store them properly.

And the process is surprisingly simple. Susan has step-by-step instructions on our website for blanching and dehydrating, all sorts of vegetables.

09:36
Blanching. Now there's a term I've heard before, but I'm not really sure what it means.

So blanching is basically like giving your veggies a quick spa treatment before you dehydrate them.

Okay.

You immerse them in boiling water for a short time and then immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

So it's like a quick shock to lock in the color and nutrients.

Exactly. And Susan really emphasizes that blanching is important for veggies like broccoli, green beans, and peas because it helps preserve their texture and color.

Wow. It's amazing how such a simple step can make a big difference.

Yeah. I'm learning so much about dehydrating.

Me too. I'm starting to think this is an essential skill for anyone who loves food.

For sure.

And wants to make the most of those seasonal flavors.

It really is a celebration of nature's abundance.

Right.

Capturing those flavors and enjoying them all year round.

And the fact that it's so healthy and delicious? Yeah. Is just a bonus.

Okay. Let's take a quick break, and then we'll go back and explore Susan's creative gift basket ideas and how to make those homemade treats look extra special with thoughtful presentation.

Sounds good.

10:42
Alright. So we've got all these dehydrated goodies. Time to get creative and assemble some gift baskets.

Yes. Let's unleash our inner Martha Stewart.

Exactly. And, thankfully, Susan has a ton of ideas on her website to help us take these gifts to the next level.

I love her idea about themed baskets.

Oh, yeah.

It's not just about, like, throwing a bunch of random stuff in a jar.

It's about creating a whole experience. It's like [unintelligible].

For whoever you're giving it to.

So she has some really good suggestions.

That's why.

11:09
Okay. So for the tea lover, you could do a tea time treats basket filled with dried apple slices, pear chips, and maybe even some candied ginger.

Oh, that sounds amazing.

Right.

Or for your health-conscious friend, you could put together a trail mix powerhouse. Okay.

With dried berries, banana chips, nuts and seeds.

That's perfect. Right. It's healthy and delicious.

And then for the kids... Yes.

A rainbow fruit leather basket. Oh, fun.

With all those colorful homemade fruit roll-ups.

I love that. It's a much better option than those sugary store-bought snacks.

Right. And who doesn't love fruit roll-ups?

Okay. So we've got all this delicious stuff jarred up.

Uh-huh.

But how do we make it look really special?

11:50
Well, Susan has some great ideas for presentation.

Okay.

Think ribbons, twine, decorative tags, maybe even a sprig of fresh herbs... Oh, that's perfect.

Or a cinnamon stick tucked into the jar.

I love those little touches.

Right.

And she even recommends using acid-free tissue paper inside the jars. Oh, interesting.

To protect the dried food and make it look fancy.

It's like a little nest. Exactly.

For those flavor treasures.

If you want a more rustic look, you could use brown paper bags or even little wicker baskets instead of Mason jars.

The possibilities are endless.

They really are. And you don't have to spend a lot of money either. You can repurpose old jars or baskets and just use things you already have around the house.

Exactly. Yeah. It's all about being creative.

And personalizing it. Oh, and Susan had this great idea about adding a handwritten note to each gift.

Oh, I love that.

Yeah. It's such a nice touch.

12:45
It makes it so much more special than something you just buy at the store. Right. You could write a little message or favorite memory or even a poem! Yeah. Inspired by the flavors in the basket.

It really shows the recipient... Yeah. That you put a lot of thought and care into it.

You know, it's funny. As we're talking about all this, I'm realizing that these gifts are about so much more than just food.

Yeah.

It's about connecting with people, sharing something you made. Yeah.

Spreading a little joy.

Exactly. It's about slowing down, appreciating the simple things, and making those moments with loved ones even more special.

Yeah. In a world that's so rushed and impersonal, these little gestures become even more meaningful.

So as we wrap up this deep dive, I am feeling super inspired. Mhmm. To get in the kitchen and start dehydrating.

Me too.

13:33
And remember, it's not just for holidays, like Susan says.

Right.

Dehydrating can be a fun activity to enjoy all year round.

So grab your favorite fruits and veggies, fire up that dehydrator to get creative.

13:44

Closing:
Thanks for listening to the Easy Food Dehydrating podcast.
Visit Easy-Food-Dehydrating.com for much more information on how to dehydrate food and the best way to safely store it.

Head on over to our Podcast Host to see a list of all our Easy Food Dehydrating episodes... or go to our hub page on this site. Please note that for your convenience, the episodes on our site contain the Podcast transcripts, too!

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