Making dried fruit and fruit leathers isn’t hard and it doesn’t have to be expensive either. While some food processors and juicers can get really pricey, a dehydrator isn’t going to cost that much and it’s a lifesaver to have fruit leathers, dried fruit or fruit jerky on hand when you can’t get out to the store for fresh food.

When buying a dehydrator, some things to consider are the materials and construction used to manufacture the product, the size, heating elements, fans and guarantees. Make sure you have room for the dehydrator in the space you have planned for it.  Choose one that’s multi-purpose, with multiple trays and special trays for fruits and herbs. A side-mounted or horizontal fan is best when choosing a food dehydrator.

Here are some food dehydrators to consider. But do a little research to find just the right one for you!

Nesco American Harvest – A very inexpensive food dehydrator with five trays that don’t have to be rotated. Price is $40-$55.

Excalibur Dehydrator – Has over 12 square feet of drying space. Comes with 9 free sheets and has a horizontal fan for maximum drying efficiency. Fast drying times, no tray rotation needed and fast cleanup. Price approximately $200-$220.

L’Equip Dehydrators – Comes with special mesh for drying sheets, plus special sheets for making fruit leathers and fruit roll-ups. Has a compact design and good, uniform drying. Price is around $150.

TSM Commerical Dehydrator – When you’re really serious about drying foods! Comes with 12 racks, 1600 watts of power, dual 6” fans for strong air flow. Can dry 15-18 pounds of jerky. Priced at $650 and up.

And don’t forget a food slicer for all that fruit drying! The Chef’s Choice 645 food slicer has a powerful 130 watt geared condenser motor for smooth, quiet, fast operation. A large 7″ nonstick stainless steel slicer blade cuts fruit & vegetables. Micrometer control dial selects slices from deli-thin to 9/16″ thick.

The post Food Dehydrators appeared first on Secret Menu.

Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Pasta

Secret Menu Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Pasta Print This

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes 20 Minutes

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

• One 12-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed (see Tip)
• 1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta (gluten-free if necessary)
• One 12-ounce vacuum-packed block extra firm silken tofu
• 1½ cups unsweetened nondairy milk (nut-free if necessary)
• ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
• ¼ cup vegan white wine
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegan butter
• One 14- to 15-ounce can artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained, and quartered if whole
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Pepita Parmesan , optional

Instructions

1. Place the spinach in a clean kitchen towel. Wrap the kitchen towel around the spinach and twist to squeeze out all the extra liquid. Set the spinach aside.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a bit of salt, and add the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set the pasta aside.
3. While the pasta is cooking, combine the tofu, milk, nutritional yeast, wine, lemon juice, arrowroot, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
4. Melt the butter in a large shallow saucepan over medium heat. Add the artichokes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes, until they begin to brown. Add the minced garlic and spinach and cook until heated through. Add the pasta and tofu mixture and stir, cooking until heated through. Add salt and pepper, then remove from the heat. Serve topped with Pepita Parmesan (if using). Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

Tip: If you can’t find a 12-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, 10 ounces will also work, or you can thaw 1 pound and leave a little bit out.

The post Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Pasta appeared first on Secret Menu.

Red Grapes Muffin

Secret Menu Some say sweets are bad for you. But this red grape muffin recipe can be healthy for you. If you’re a fan of baking, this is for you.  Get ready to bite some fluff! Print This

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

• • ½ cup of wholegrain flour
• • ½ cup of crushed red grapes
• • ¼ cup of almond milk
• • 2 tbsp of honey
• • 2 eggs
• • A pinch of cinnamon
• • ¼ tbsp of baking powder

Instructions

1. In a bowl, add eggs, cinnamon and almond milk.
2. Use an electric beater to beat the mixture.
3. Add whole grain flour to the egg mixture.
4. Give a thorough mix with the help of a spatula.
5. Add crushed grapes and baking powder.
6. Give a gentle mix and transfer the red grapes muffin mixture to the muffin baking tray.
7. Bake at 180C for 30 min.
8. Serve!

The post Red Grapes Muffin appeared first on Secret Menu.

1. Oatmeal: A fabulous breakfast food, full of B vitamins, iron, zinc and calcium. Old-fashioned oatmeal offers plenty of carbohydrate for quick energy and high fiber. Add berries and honey to make it a delicious perfect food for those fast-paced school day mornings!

2. Yogurt: Kick your child’s dairy consumption up a notch and include yogurt on the menu. A great source of calcium, yogurt is easier to digest than regular milk, and the cultures (check the label to make sure they’re in there!) are very beneficial to good colon health. Watch it on the sugar content though. A great idea is to buy plain yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit!

3. Broccoli: it is one of the best vegetables for anyone, especially growing kids. It has loads of calcium, potassium, beta-carotene and a wide variety of the B vitamins. If your child is not a fan of plain vegetables include broccoli in a casserole or put a little shredded cheese on top to add flavor.

4. Protein: One size does not fit all when it comes to protein. The fact is that growing kids need protein to keep growing. How you’re going to give it to them can vary widely, according to your preferences. Good choices include legumes, beans (combined with a grain to make a complete protein), soy products like tofu, eggs or lean meat, fish or poultry.

5. Whole Grains: The best nutrition is found in whole grains. Brown rice and whole wheat bread are a quantum leap over their white counterparts and offer necessary fiber, minerals and vitamins. Choose grain products with the words ìwholeî, ìunbleachedî and ìintactî or ìgroundî.

6. Nut Butters: Peanut butter and other nut butters are great fast and easy foods for kids. Kids need fat (it’s a good fat if it doesn’t have hydrogenated oils mixed in it) and they need the protein. Try spreading almond or sunflower seed butter on crackers, toast or celery sticks for a quick and nutritious snack.

7. Fresh Fruit: My personal choice would be cantaloupe in the melon department. Vitamin C, beta-carotene, bits and pieces of B vitamins and trace minerals and calcium fill every juicy bite. Any in season fresh fruit is sure to be packed with healthy goodness!

The post 7 Top Foods to Include in your Kid’s Diet appeared first on Secret Menu.