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11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:30 AM Page 3 Welcome to the fun and exciting world of food dehydration, and thank you for choosing Nesco American Harvest – “The ® ® world’s fastest, most even drying dehydrators” ® Our long history of developing and manufacturing food dehydrators and accessories enables us to bring to you the best in patented drying technology.
11. Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner or in a heated oven. 12. Do not use this appliance for other than its intended use. www.nesco.com...
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 6 SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS NOTE: This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electrical shock, this plug will fit on a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician.
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• Do not spray vegetable oil directly onto surface of trays. • Do not dehydrate foods that have been prepared with or marinated in alcohol. • Trays are only intended to be used with your NESCO ® /American Harvest ®...
• Do not add fresh produce to a partially dried batch. It will slow the rate of drying for both products. It is possible, however, to combine partially dried foods on to fewer trays. • Many people have more than one NESCO /American Harvest dehydrator. If you ®...
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Drying Time (continued) Drying times may vary, depending on the type and amount of food, thickness and evenness of the slices, percentage of water in the food, humidity, temperature of air, altitude and the model of NESCO ® /American Harvest ®...
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11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 10 Home vacuum packaging devices are ideal for packaging dried foods. They extend the shelf life of dried foods 3 to 4 times. Since most packaging materials are transparent, store packaged dried foods in a plastic or metal container that will not allow the light to penetrate.
Try fruits both ways – peeled and unpeeled – then decide for yourself. Pre-treat if desired and place the fruit into the dehydrator to dry at 135 F (57 www.nesco.com...
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11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 12 Pre-Treatment Pre-treatment minimizes oxidation, and gives you a superior quality, better tasting product with less vitamin loss. Apples, pears, peaches and apricots are better when pre-treated. They are more appetizing, have a longer shelf life and higher nutritional value.
Fruits generally need no added sweetening, but if fruits are under ripe or particularly tart, you may add light corn syrup or honey. Add 1 or more tablespoons sweetening for each quart of purée, depending on your preference (sugar added to fruit rolls tends to become brittle during storage). www.nesco.com...
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 14 Drying Place a Fruit Roll sheet on the dehydrator tray and wipe lightly with a vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Purée should be about 1/4” to 3/8” thick and evenly spread. Dry at 130 F –...
Snacks, cookies, Prunes and remove pit muffins, bread and granola Rhubarb Slice in 1" lengths. 6-14 hrs. Pies, tarts and other Steam until slightly desserts tender Strawberries Halve or slice 6-12 hrs. Snacks, cereals, and 1/2" thick baked goods www.nesco.com...
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 16 Drying Vegetables Some vegetables are quite good dried. Others lose their appeal and are better frozen or fresh. Some vegetables are far better frozen than dried, if you must preserve them. Vegetables have a low acid and sugar content that makes them more subject to spoilage, and tend to have far shorter shelf life than dried fruits.
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Tomato sauce = 1 tsp. powder, 3 tsp. water Tomato soup = 1 tsp. powder, 1 tsp water, 2 tsp. cream Tomato juice = 1 tsp. powder, 1/2 c. water Adjust amount of water to taste for soup and juice. www.nesco.com...
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 18 Vegetable Drying Guidelines Vegetables will also vary in their drying times. Blanching decreases drying times, but not all vegetables are blanched. Again, the average drying times in the following table are general and depend on different variables. For more accurate times, keep records of your own specific experiences.
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125 F and dry for remaining time. Blanch for 5 minutes or until translucent. If not steamed long enough, they will turn black during drying and storage. *** For information on rehydrating tomato powder and uses, see page 17. www.nesco.com...
When purchasing meats for jerky, choose lean meats with minimal marbling (fat), as fat tends to get rancid during storage. A lean cut of flank steak or round steak makes excellent jerky. You can make delicious jerky from ground meat, using the NESCO ® /American Harvest ®...
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11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 21 Marinate cut meats in store-bought or your own recipe marinade for 4 to 8 hours in the refrigerator before drying. NESCO ® /American ® Harvest Jerky seasonings can also be used to marinate by mixing one package of cure, one package of spice/seasoning and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water per pound of meat.
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4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 22 TERIYAKI MARINADE 1 Lb. sliced meat 1 Cup teriyaki sauce 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 Packet NESCO ® /American Harvest ® Teriyaki jerky seasoning. 1 Packet jerky cure2 1/4 Cup water In bowl, mix all ingredients except meat. Add slices and marinate at least four hours in refrigerator.
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C) until they feel firm and dry, but don’t crumble. There should be no moist spots. Packaging and Storage Follow guidelines for Packaging and Storage on page 9 and 10. Store dried fish jerky in freezer if it will not be consumed within 2 to 3 weeks. www.nesco.com...
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 24 Drying Herbs Fresh herbs and spices have a stronger aroma and flavor than commercial dried herbs and spices. They are prized by food lovers and gourmet cooks. Dried herbs and spices are used more often than fresh because they are more readily available and convenient to use.
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Sharpness of flavor deteriorates with age. Some herbs, such as mint or basil, lose their flavor more rapidly than others when dried. It may take nearly an equal volume of some dried herbs to replace the amount of fresh called for in the recipe. www.nesco.com...
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 26 Herb Drying Guide Most herbs may be dried in your NESCO ® /American Harvest ® dehydrator right on the plant stalk and stem. Seeds and leaves are easily stripped from the plant when dry. Drying temperature should not exceed 90...
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Rinse in cold water, 20-24 hrs. Poultry, pork, lamb, Leaves/stem pat dry. veal & fish dishes For more information, please visit our internet web site at www.nesco.com Tarragon Rinse in cold water, 20-24 hrs. Sauces, salads, fish or call 1-800-288-4545 Leaves pat dry.
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 28 Rehydrating Dried Food Rehydrate by placing dried foods in a container (with enough water to cover food) and soaking for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Boiling water rehydrates foods more quickly than cold water or water at room temperature. Fruits or vegetables may also be rehydrated in liquids other than water, including fruit juices, cider, vegetable juices, milk, consomme, etc.
Makes 24 of the best bran on a cooling rack. Makes 3 small or 2 muffins you've ever tasted! medium loaves. Variation: Substitute 1 cup oat bran for Variation: Add dried pineapple wheat bran for an oat taste. instead of dates www.nesco.com...
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 30 HOMEMADE CHILI POWDER FAVORITE HERB BLEND Add to your favorite Mexican recipe or use in Making culinary dried herb blends is almost ground meat for tacos. as gratifying as growing the herbs 3 ounces dried chilies (mild peppers such themselves.
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It foams. Pour over popped corn Mix In: and mix well. Pour into a shallow 11" x 14" 3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice baking pan. Bake in a 250°F (129°C) oven for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. During www.nesco.com...
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In a blender, mix all ingredients until pureed. salt and pepper to taste Pour onto Nesco/American Harvest Fruit Roll 2 cups boiling chicken or beef broth sheets; dry at 135°F for 4 to 8 hours, or until leathery and pliable.
6 ripe Bananas, peeled and cut into pieces 1 orange, peeled and quartered Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Treats will be good for about three weeks. www.nesco.com...
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11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 34 several days. They will be fine in the TURKEY & SWEET POTATO TREATS FOR refrigerator for a couple of weeks. Excess DOGS (continued) treats can be frozen. To give as a gift, place the treats (cranberry side up) on a decorative holiday paper plate.
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1/3 cup. But only add as much water as needed to puree the fish. Spoon the paste into a bowl and add the flour, mixing well. The dough will become thick and stiff. If it isn’t, because www.nesco.com...
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 36 Drying Crafts You've all seen a flower so perfect in form, color, and texture that you wish you could keep it forever. With a dehydrator, it now can become a reality. Drying Flowers Preserve garden and natural favorites for attractive dried flower arrangements, Christmas and holiday decorations, party favors, place cards and corsages.
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Repeat process with the inside row, until there are 2 rows of apples side by side. When apples are glued in place, seal with Mod Podge on both sides of the wreath, one side at a time. Add a ribbon bow and any other decorative touches. www.nesco.com...
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11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 38 Dough Ornaments This basic recipe is also called "Baker's Clay." Once mixed, it has a satiny texture, a delicious aroma and begs to be touched and shaped. Do not be surprised if everyone in the family gets involved in making ornaments! 4 cups flour 1 cup salt 1-1/2 cups water...
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Dough should be baked for 2 hours at 300°F (150°C) in your oven. Then transfer to your dehydrator. Dry for an additional 4 to 12 hours until completely dry (until you become more experienced with drying dough-art in your Nesco ®...
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11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 40 Dry until brittle-dry, which may take from 2 to 12 hours, depending upon the plants, the amount, and the model of dehydrator you are using. Store different flowers and herbs separately in covered jars until you’re ready to mix. Keep in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 41 ACCESSORIES To see our complete line of dehydrator accessories, please visit us at www.nesco.com. CLEAN-A-SCREEN ® Flexible screens make drying sticky foods easier to remove. Perfect for drying small items like spices and herbs that would normally fall through the spokes of the tray, too.
11020745_1451.qxd:11020745_1455 4/25/11 6:31 AM Page 42 About Your Warranty and Service Satisfaction Mail in your registration card, phone us, or register online at www.nesco.com to file your Nesco ® /American Harvest ® dehydrator model number and serial number now! Your serial number and dehydrator model number are located on the power unit of your dehydrator.
Please call Customer Satisfaction at 800-288-4545 to obtain a return authorization before shipping. Service and genuine Nesco ® /American Harvest ® replacement parts may be obtained from Nesco ®...
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