Winter pantry

[Bulldog lady]

Got an old book "make your own groceries" daphene hartwig -  has a recipe Dehydrated potatoes, , slice and boil for 9 min and then pat dry and dehydrate in oven or dehydrator. Makes basic hamburger helper, scalloped potaoes, stews etc. style, add broth or water veg, meat cook 30 min and eat.  Stores on shelf.  Any thoughts?  Thinkin might be a light wt camp food and sure be a change when elec out for 3 or 7 days and only heat is fireplace or propane if it doesn't run out, sure sound like beat canned soups with all the salt.  Just my 2 cents worth.

[pilgrim]

     I agree with you Bulldog Lady.  It is a good idea to prepare ahead by dehydrating etc, but, following some recipes can end in disaster.   Boiling sliced potatoes for 9 minutes,  will end up with mashed potatoes.   Cant always follow a recipe to the letter.  I can see Blanching the potatoe slices for 2 minutes, then pat dry and then dry or dehydrate.   We have all read recipes from cookbooks with typo's, but didnt follow exactly as stated.  Past experiences  are the best teacher.   You may want to find a good, old print Pennsylvania Dutch Cookbook.  Can still find errors in those recipes as well.    Will probably need to go to antigue book store.   The Pa Dutch have been dehydrating food  for countless generations.   Especially Apples for Schnitz und Knepp.    My grandmother had a pan that was like a large cookie pan but could be filled with water to dry the food placed on top of pan.  Pan of course was placed on stove.  When all was dry, the dried food was stored in bags or jars.  

[chuck w.]

Will blanching potatoes be enough to keep them from turning brown in the dehydrator?