The Dehydrator Bible

Jennifer MacKenzie is a professional home economist, cookbook author and recipe developer. Jay Nutt is a chef and restaurant owner. Don Mercer, Ph.D., P.Eng, is an associate professor in the Food Science Department at the University of Guelph.

This one's an encyclopedia. It's a good resource for recipes on the spot but may be overwhelming if youre starting out. I like to have it on the shelf in case I'm looking to expand ideas but its recipes are so literal (an advantage to many) that I prefer to use this to brainstorm my own ideas from rather than to use it each piece. This could apply to all levels of home preservers but I like it best as an on-demand reference as opposed to a manual. Dehydrating is one of the most effective ways to preserve food for maximun nutrition at a very low cost. The Dehydrator Bible recognizes that cooking is a blend of science and art. Co-authors Jennifer MacKenize, Jay Nutt and Don Mercer combined their professional expertise to take the guesswork out of drying a variety of foods, and sharing successful techniques and recipes.

Whether grow-your-own, bought locally from a farmer's market, or fresh from an ordinary supermarket, the seasons still affect the quality, abundance and price of good food. It just makes sense to preserve food quality for those times when it's not as plentiful or not available at all. Dehydrating food with this terrific book is easy and creates tasty food year-round. Incorporating the age-old practices of food dehydration takes full advantage of what nature offers. All the wonderful recipes are still here and there is a bonus section on everything from pet treats to crafts and homemade gifts. What has changed is that the 'Everything You Need to Know About Dehydrating Foods' section has been expanded to include even more comprehensive and complete information about dehydrating foods along with even more tips and techniques. There are more than 150 recipes for dehydrating everything from herbs and seasonings to fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. Plus more than 250 delicious recipes actually use the dehydrated foods as ingredients, putting home-preserved food to work for home, caravan, boat or campsite. The easy-to-follow drying instructions along with time guidelines make even a novice cook feel like a seasoned professional. Planting a few extra rows of tomatoes or beans, picking many strawberries at their peak or buying that big basket of freshly harvested carrots can really pay off later. Loading up the dehydrator will provide personally dried foods the whole year through.