One Of My Experiments~ Dried Beans

This year I am trying real hard to find ways to preserve food with as little use of plastic as I can. So instead of blanching and freezing beans in freezer bags I am trying out drying my beans. After drying them I store them in glass jars.

How I did it...

I picked the beans when they were still immature ( meaning it hasn't started to form bean seeds) and then blanched them for 2 minutes in boiling water. Dried in the dehydrator for 8-14 ( or until dried) hours at 120*F.

*How to use them...

You can throw them into soups or stews or re dehydrate them and use them in other recipes.

*Here is one recipe...

Dried Green Bean Dish

2 cups boiling water

3/4 ths cup dried green beans

2 Tablespoons dried onions, minced

4 slices of turkey bacon, diced

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pour boiling water over green beans and onions in saucepan. Cover and cook over low heat for 45 minutes until plump and tender.

Meanwhile saute' turkey bacon in a small skillet until brown. Add bacon to green beans. Mix lightly and serve.

serves 4 to 6