I have been dehydrating apricots one of our family favorites. Dehydrator out and ready for action, what about some dog treats?
Does your dog like chicken jerky?
Try this recipe (and save some for yourself!).
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Dog-friendly seasonings (parsley, rosemary, sage) fresh and chopped very fine
Directions:
1. Rinse the chicken breast and remove any fat,which slows down the dehydrating process and will shorten the jerky's shelf life.
2. Slice the chicken into strips about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick; slicing with the grain will make the jerky even chewier.
3. Coat the strips with oil and seasoning.
4. Place the strips on the dehydrator tray, spacing them evenly; make sure they do not touch. The drying process depends on adequate airflow between the strips.
5. Put the tray in the dehydrator, turn it on and set the temperature for 140 degrees (if you have a temperature setting, mine does not).
It will probably take between 3 to 12 hours for the strips to fully dry, depending on how thick you cut them and the exact temperature of your dehydrator. After the first hour, you might start checking the strips on an hourly basis. To determine the dryness level, remove one strip from the dehydrator, cut into it with a sharp knife and examine the inside. When the meat is completely dried, you will not see any moisture and it will be the same color throughout. If it needs more time, put it back and check every half-hour.
When your chicken jerky is done, store it in air-tight containers; zip-lock bags work great for this. Refrigerate the containers for an even longer shelf life.
Another treat: Sweet Potato Chews
Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Slice the sweet potato into 1/4 inch slices by cutting down the middle lengthwise.
Dehydrate at the highest setting until done. Drying approximately 6-8 hours will leave them with a chewy texture. For crunchier treats dehydrate longer until the desired consistency.
Bon Appetit!
