Nesco Food Dehydrator - Manual (Page 36)

35
12 to 24 hours. In the dehydrator, they
are usually dry in 6 to 12 hours.
Paint and seal as directed in the salt
dough recipe.
Potpourri
Home dried potpourri and sachets are
fun and easy to do in your dehydrator.
Take advantage of your flower garden in
the summer by dehydrating petals, for
potpourri, to use the rest of the year.
Combine petals with store-bought
spices, fixatives, and essential oils to
make inexpensive, elegant gifts.
Pick flowers when they are about three-
quarters open – when they are fully
open, they lose fragrance. Gather about
twice the amount you believe you’ll
need, since they shrink as they dry.
Remove petals from flower heads and
pull herb leaves from their stems.
Spread in a single layer on a Clean-A-
Screen
® accessory and place in your
dehydrator.
Set temperature at 90°- 100°F (35°C).
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 sepa-
rately in covered jars until you’re ready
to mix. Keep in a cool place, out of
direct sunlight.
Experiment with different combina-
tions, mixing small quantities and
recording the results until you come up
with a blend that you like.
To blend ingredients, measure and stir
dried materials into a large bowl.
When you have the right blend of color
and fragrance, add fixative, spices, and
oil. Age in a tightly sealed jar for 2 - 6
weeks, shaking occasionally to blend
fragrances.
Package in smaller decorative contain-
ers or bags for gifts or personal use.
Sweet & Spice Potpourri
For a perfect holiday gift, place one cup
of this recipe in a lace bag tied with a
colorful ribbon.
1cup dried rose petals
1 ⁄
4
cup dried lavender blossoms
1 ⁄
8
cup dried rosemary
1 ⁄
8
cup dried chamomile
1 ⁄
2
cup dried grated orange peel
1 tsp. powdered orrisroot
2 tsp. orange-spice tea
1 tbl. coriander seed
1 tbl. whole cloves
1 stick cinnamon, crumbled
1 ⁄
3
tsp. ground cloves
1 ⁄
4
tsp. ground nutmeg
2 drops rose oil
1 drop orange oil
1 drop lavender oil
1 ⁄
2
cup dried bachelor’s button
petals (for color)
In a large bowl, combine rose petals,
lavender, rosemary, chamomile, and
orange peel. Add orrisroot, tea, and
spices. Add oils, sprinkling lightly over
mixture. Mix in bachelor’s button
petals. Makes about 2 cups potpourri.
There are numerous ingredients that
produce wonderful smelling potpourri!
Experiment with plants that you have
available or purchase plants from an
herbalist, drug-store, or supermarket.