[Madame Cholet]

dehydrated some kale which I added to tom sauce for a veggie bolonegse success :happy:

[Trillium]

It's amazing how well some things will dehydrate then bounce back almost as fresh as they went in. I'm trying carrots, sweet potatoes and cabbage this year as well as the usual fruits.

[New shoot]

Mint dried at home is really good.  A million miles away from the dried herb you buy.  I did a big jar last year and wished I had done double to last me the winter 

[Madame Cholet]

s

Mint dried at home is really good.  A million miles away from the dried herb you buy.  I did a big jar last year and wished I had done double to last me the winter 

sounds good could dry other herbs to add to apple jelly too.

I added some kale to scrambled egg with chives and mushrooms that worked well too.

[New shoot]

I was adding the mint to rice and couscous salads all winter    Not done much in the way of leafy greens yet, but going to this year 

If you see celery being sold cheap in the supermarkets, grab some and dry that.  It's really useful for stews, spag sauces and casseroles that only call for a stick or 2, but soak it in the stock and add it later, rather than in with the initial veg base    Your carrots would be good for that as well Trillium 

[plum crumble]

ooh, never tried a dehydrator - I am intrigued. Are they expensive? and how much space do they take up (I have a tiny kitchen)

[New shoot]

There is a post somewhere on here with the one Val uses which I believe is around £40 and is pretty compact.  Give me a sec and I'll have a root round as someone at work is interested as well.

I picked up 4 packs of mushrooms at Trasco tonight reduced to 25p each so am slicing and drying those tomorrow for stews and casseroles through next winter 

[New shoot]

Found it I think 

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=65021.msg743217#msg743217

[plum crumble]

thank you my dear! very helpful. so once you have dried them, what do you do - just store in an airtight container?

[New shoot]

Yup    Dry them until they rattle if shaken in a jar and they keep for months.  I find glass jam or pickle jars are best for storage.  Plasticware will let some air in and that means the veg can absorb moisture and spoil 

My winter meals last year featured a lot of dried veg cooked into stews. soups, chillies and your fave ............. CURRY ........ all done in the slow cooker 

[plum crumble]

mmmmmm.....curry......... :tongue2:mmmmm. SOLD to the small mad Welsh woman

[MJS]

mmmmmm.....curry......... :tongue2:mmmmm. SOLD to the small mad Welsh woman

and the mad Midlander!    I just hope I grow enough to dry. Thanks for the info everyone.