Cooking Resources

n2cookin · 02-22-2011, 08:00 PM

We used some of my dehydrated broccoli in a dinner side dish. It was a packaged side dish of broccoli and rice. But they never seem to have anything in them but broccoli crumbs. So I rehydrated a 1/2 cup of my dehydrated broccoli and tossed it in. It was really good. The rehydrated broccoli even had some density, tooth, or texture to it. Not like a fresh piece but not mushy in anyway. It was definately the star ingredient in the side dish. It was the first time I used any dehydrated broccoli in cooking. We will definately be using this more often.

I dehydrate my broccoli after blanching to keep the dark green color.

betterthanabox · 02-23-2011, 10:10 AM

How do you do it? I buy those bags as well and want more broccoli. I just got a dehydrator, but don't know how to use it.

n2cookin · 02-24-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betterthanabox

How do you do it? I buy those bags as well and want more broccoli. I just got a dehydrator, but don't know how to use it.

I cut broccoli off the stalk leaving a small stalk with each head. If some heads are larger I will slice themin half. I drop them into boiling water to blanch, usually only about 30 seconds to a minute. I take them out of the boiling water and put into a bowl filled with ice and water. That stops the cooking process. This is all done to keep the broccoli a nice green color when dried. If you don't blanch it then it will turn brown when you dehydrate it.
I have an exaliber and I use every other tray if they are too tall for each tray to slide in. After dehydrating I store them in glass jars with lids that I vacume seal with a jar lid attachment.

I rehydrate by covering about 1/2 cup broccoli with boiling water until hydrated, then add to the side dish while it is cooking.

A really good source for how to dehydrate videos that I use a lot is called.
www.dehydrate2store.com She has done some nice videos and recipes on using the dried foods.