Nesco American Harvest 5-Tray FD-35 425-Watt Snackmaster Dehydrator

Drying apple slices in just five hours and beef jerky in seven, this 425-watt dehydrator is exceptionally fast for its price range. Its patented hot-air circulation system ensures not only speed but uniformity, so foods dry evenly. Each of the five trays is 13-1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch deep (the plastic dehydrator stands 10 inches high), providing more than 12 square feet of tray space for drying lots of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers at one time. Available separately is a two-tray accessory pack that expands the dehydrator to seven trays. Also available separately are accessories for drying fruit rolls, soups, and sauces and for making jerky from ground meat. Accompanying the dehydrator is a detailed instruction booklet with a drying-time chart for various foods and recipes for cooking with dried foods. --Fred Brack

Cooking really is an art, it can take some time to get it right. I would like to share a few basic tips with you that have helped me to become a better cook.

1) If you are using a wok/pan and it becomes too dry, add a little stock instead of more oil. Too much oil can really overdo things and take away from the taste.

2) Add some salt to water and it will boil faster. Don't worry, just adding a pinch really shouldn't effect the taste of the food that is cooked.

3) Always cook over low, well-distributed heat. If you are concerned that your stove is uneven, get it checked out. You definitely want your dishes to be cooked the right way!

4) Beware cooking something in super hot oil. Cooking when the oil is extremely hot only cooks your food on the surface and not deep in.

5) Be careful! Cooking areas should be blocked off - effectively - if either might be present without responsible supervision. Especially if you have children, make sure your pot handles are turned inward so they cannot be knocked off. You can never be too careful.

6) Like all electrical appliances, failures (in the electrical wiring or the control mechanisms) can cause problems, including fires. Keep a close watch on this.

7) Don't ever be afraid to experiment. If you don't take chances, you will never know what you could have discovered. Cooking is not meant to always be done by the rules. Even something as small as a pinch of spice can vastly change the taste of your food. Have fun!

Have you ever wanted to cook like the pros at home? Now you can learn all of the best-kept secrets of cooking, such as the KFC cole slaw recipe.

Wouldn't you love to be able to cook your very own restaurant secret recipes at home?

dehydrator