Home made dehydrated meals

[blgoode]

I am sold on home dehydrated meals. This showing good old turkey dumplings. It held 90% of the original flavor. Stock wasn't as thick but man it was good. I have chili for 3 meals and will be doing this permanent!

It will work for any non dairy one pot type meal.

 

[Jason Snyder]

So you are cooking it in your cup? I've done these and just add the boiling water to the ziplock and let it sit for a half hour. It's definitely the way to go if you have the time to make them and don't mind waiting a little longer for dinner.

 

[Bulldawg]

So how do you go about actually dehydrating this? Cause you can't just pour a whole bunch of soup into your dehydrator can you?

 

[colonel00]

So you are cooking it in your cup? I've done these and just add the boiling water to the ziplock and let it sit for a half hour. It's definitely the way to go if you have the time to make them and don't mind waiting a little longer for dinner.

+1 on just reheating in a Ziploc. I use quart freezer bags as they are a little thicker. I also made up my own cozy out of Reflectix to help retain the heat while re-hydrating. Works very well.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?9451-DIY-Reflectix-Pouch

 

[Jason Snyder]

So how do you go about actually dehydrating this? Cause you can't just pour a whole bunch of soup into your dehydrator can you?

Put parchment (NOT waxed) paper on the trays and layer the soup or sauce on it.

 

[beachbunny]

i make my soups thicker,more like stews so they ladle out better and spread consistently and then dehydrate away.

 

[G Posik]

I have been working on some meals for this year. Mountain house have way to much sodium for my liking.

Glenn

 

[Stid2677]

I boil mine down, then weight it, I weight it before I dry it so I know how much water to add back. Pour onto the trays for making fruit rolls.

I add a oxygen pack and vac seal in a heat pouch.

 

[bobhunts]

Nice contribution Stid. Gonna have to start doing this myself.

 

[HuntHarder]

How long do you need to dehydrate a stew for?

 

[Jason Snyder]

How long do you need to dehydrate a stew for?

It all depends on how thick you layer it on the tray and how large your veggie and meat chunks are. If you dice stuff up to about the size of pinto beans it will dry overnight. I don't normally time mine, I just start it at night and pull the stuff off in the morning.

 

[G Posik]

Do you cook your meat well done? I was thinking of doing some steak and potato. Some chicken and pasta.

Glenn

 

[beachbunny]

i just cook it the way i prepare my meals(deer-a-roni, deer stroganoff) and then ladle it out and dehydrate the leftovers. As was said earlier, smaller chunks dry faster and after a while as it dries ,flip it over,let that dry and then crumble it up to complete the drying process.
just start doing it and you'll figure it out right quick.

 

[NMbackcountry]

How long would you expect the stew to last once it's dehydrated? I imagine this would be much more price effective than having to purchase meals. I'd love to give this a shot.

 

[G Posik]

The dehydrator I bought said 6 months if frozen.

Glenn

 

[rbljack]

ok. so if im understanding this correctly, I can cook a stew in a crock pot, then take the left overs, and place them on dehydrator trays spread thin, using small chunks in the stew if possible, and then dehydrate the stew completely. Once its completey dry, this is safe to store in a freezer for 6 months. How long can it be left in its room temperature dehydrated mode? I have 0 experience with dehydrating anything besides jerky and fruits....which always are GONE within a day or three....LOL

 

[steve anderson]

Stid is that Icy Bay IPA? Love that stuff

 

[Jason Snyder]

ok. so if im understanding this correctly, I can cook a stew in a crock pot, then take the left overs, and place them on dehydrator trays spread thin, using small chunks in the stew if possible, and then dehydrate the stew completely. Once its completey dry, this is safe to store in a freezer for 6 months. How long can it be left in its room temperature dehydrated mode? I have 0 experience with dehydrating anything besides jerky and fruits....which always are GONE within a day or three....LOL

Pretty much. I've left them in the freezer for a year before and they were fine. I don't know how long at room temp? At least a 10 day trip.

 

[Ray]

ok. so if im understanding this correctly, I can cook a stew in a crock pot, then take the left overs, and place them on dehydrator trays spread thin, using small chunks in the stew if possible, and then dehydrate the stew completely. Once its completey dry, this is safe to store in a freezer for 6 months. How long can it be left in its room temperature dehydrated mode? I have 0 experience with dehydrating anything besides jerky and fruits....which always are GONE within a day or three....LOL

I like to grind my stuff up after drying. It rehydrates easier in the field. simple science due to increase surface area. I have no concerns about what it looks like on a plate. Just taste and ease of preping and eating when dog tired.

Looking in my dehydration books it looks like some things can last up to 30 days on the counter in a vacuum bag without a degradation of flavor. Vegetation and grains may last longer. Meat needs to be as low fat as possible to prevent the fat from going rancid during storage.

 

[Liv2Hunt]

All sounds very interesting. Does anyone have any good recipes?