Fall beckons in many new emotions, smells, tastes and sights. The colors on the leaves are shifting from green to yellow, red and orange. Light, cool foods are getting replaced by core-warming, comfort foods. People are beginning to think about the holidays and some are even decorating for the first holiday to kick off the season, Halloween. In response to the welcoming of the new season, I decided to take the afternoon to dehydrate apples.
The process of dehydrating apples is simple, but time consuming. Without the right tools it can take so long the joy of the process is removed, but with the right tools it can go smoothly and efficiently. First, you will need: the Apple Machine, a 2 quart bowl, cool water, lemon juice, cinnamon (optional), a knife, a dehydrator, and the apples. The apple machine is what has the power to make or break this fall experience. The machine gives you the ability to core, peel and slice an apple, all at the same time. Without the machine, you will be left with your own personal cutting skills. Last year that was me, I did not have the Apple Machine and found myself hours later, still working on cutting apples. For as little as $17, the Apple Machine is worth it.
Once you have collected all your supplies, the fun begins. Fill the large bowl with 1 quart cool water and 1/4 cup lemon juice. This mixture helps keep the apples from oxidizing and browning. Then begin to slice and/or peel the apples. I decided to leave the peel of the apples on for more nutritional value, but with the handy machine you can easily remove the peel while you are slicing the apples. The apples come off the machine in once piece, make a single, vertical cut down the side of the apple to separate the rings. After each apple is sliced, place it in the bowl of water for about 5 minutes before putting the slices on the dehydrator racks. Once the apple slices are placed on the dehydrator racks they can be left as is, or sprinkle cinnamon on top for more added nutrition. Set the temperature of the dehydrate at 135 degrees F and the timer somewhere between 7-12 hours. The shorter the time spent in the dehydrator the more pliable the apple slices will be. After the seven hour mark, check the apple slices periodically and remove when desired texture is reached.
After the apples are done, store in a air tight container and enjoy. Apple slices are a great companion on a fall hike through the changing leaves, or a great addition to homemade granola. Take advantage of the change of seasons to experience all five of your sense in a new way.
The process of dehydrating apples is simple, but time consuming. Without the right tools it can take so long the joy of the process is removed, but with the right tools it can go smoothly and efficiently. First, you will need: the Apple Machine, a 2 quart bowl, cool water, lemon juice, cinnamon (optional), a knife, a dehydrator, and the apples. The apple machine is what has the power to make or break this fall experience. The machine gives you the ability to core, peel and slice an apple, all at the same time. Without the machine, you will be left with your own personal cutting skills. Last year that was me, I did not have the Apple Machine and found myself hours later, still working on cutting apples. For as little as $17, the Apple Machine is worth it.
Once you have collected all your supplies, the fun begins. Fill the large bowl with 1 quart cool water and 1/4 cup lemon juice. This mixture helps keep the apples from oxidizing and browning. Then begin to slice and/or peel the apples. I decided to leave the peel of the apples on for more nutritional value, but with the handy machine you can easily remove the peel while you are slicing the apples. The apples come off the machine in once piece, make a single, vertical cut down the side of the apple to separate the rings. After each apple is sliced, place it in the bowl of water for about 5 minutes before putting the slices on the dehydrator racks. Once the apple slices are placed on the dehydrator racks they can be left as is, or sprinkle cinnamon on top for more added nutrition. Set the temperature of the dehydrate at 135 degrees F and the timer somewhere between 7-12 hours. The shorter the time spent in the dehydrator the more pliable the apple slices will be. After the seven hour mark, check the apple slices periodically and remove when desired texture is reached.
After the apples are done, store in a air tight container and enjoy. Apple slices are a great companion on a fall hike through the changing leaves, or a great addition to homemade granola. Take advantage of the change of seasons to experience all five of your sense in a new way.