Ideas for the dehydrated vegetable stash

Food, Nutrition and Agriculture
GillyBee
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:46 am

Ideas for the dehydrated vegetable stash

Post by GillyBee »

I've just learned a useful tip for using my stash of dried onion flakes. These can be fried in a little oil and will turn into really nice golden fried onions in about 2 minutes. (Keep stirring as they also burn fast). They then can be used in the same way as normal fried onions for anything that uses these as a base - curries, bolognaise sauce, chilli etc. Mr GB was impressed when I blind taste tested a dried onion based curry and he could't taste the difference.

This will make our off grid cooking much quicker and save fuel, time and chopping.

Does anyone have any good tips for other dried vegetables other than the usual "throw them into a stew"? As I increase my stocks of dried veg for winter, I need to have matching plans to use them and rotate them through.
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pseudonym
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Re: Ideas for the dehydrated vegetable stash

Post by pseudonym »

When dehydrating courgette slices add hotsauce/ balsamic vinegar/ worcestershire sauce to the top.

I use them as crisps.But you could add them to a meal already flavoured.
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jennyjj01
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Re: Ideas for the dehydrated vegetable stash

Post by jennyjj01 »

GillyBee wrote: Sat Aug 13, 2022 2:17 pm I've just learned a useful tip for using my stash of dried onion flakes. These can be fried in a little oil and will turn into really nice golden fried onions in about 2 minutes. (Keep stirring as they also burn fast). They then can be used in the same way as normal fried onions for anything that uses these as a base - curries, bolognaise sauce, chilli etc. Mr GB was impressed when I blind taste tested a dried onion based curry and he could't taste the difference.

This will make our off grid cooking much quicker and save fuel, time and chopping.

Does anyone have any good tips for other dried vegetables other than the usual "throw them into a stew"? As I increase my stocks of dried veg for winter, I need to have matching plans to use them and rotate them through.
Dehydrated Onions are the very best for reconstituting. I usually pop them in boiled water for 15mins then cook as usual.

Julienned Carrots are a close second. A quick soak then add them in a bolognese or sweet and sour and they pad it nicely. Small diced carrots also a good minced beef substitute/adjunct in bolognese. They don't quite get shape back, but you can get good texture. Dried Sliced garlic, you can lob in with onions and they will rehydrate from whatever moisture is in your onions or sauce. Most other dehydrated veg is a big compromise.
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GillyBee
Posts: 1154
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:46 am

Re: Ideas for the dehydrated vegetable stash

Post by GillyBee »

Agreed. The revelation for me was that the onions do not need to be rehydrated before frying which saves some work.
My next challenge is to find the best way to use the commercial dried mixed veg I have in stock. I made some up and it tastes and smells just like the dried mixed veg soup i was force fed as a teenager. I may try blending some, adding mushroom powder and salt and seeing if it works well as a stock powder rather than as actual veg mix. I may also try frying it off before rehydrating to see if it works the same magic as on the onions.