PERFECT POT POURRI
The following recipes show you why it's such a great idea to dehydrate Flowers! With an Ezidri dehydrator you can dry your flower petals & bunches in no time at all! It's so easy to create wonderful, lasting flower arrangements, fantastic smelling pot pourri, fragrant lotions, soap & more in no time at all!
Simply click on the dish you're interested in to go to that recipe:
* How to dry Flowers
* How to make Pot Pourri
* Basic Pot Pourri
* Dried Flower & Herb Bath Bag
* Herb & Flower Pot Pourri
* Lavender Rose Petal Sachet
* Sensational Soap
* Sweet & Spicy Pot Pourri
HOW TO DRY FLOWERS
You can make wonderful, lasting flower arrangements with your Ezidri dehydrator. Flowers must be picked when only half open & it is essential that they be completely dry. The best time to pick them is early in the morning, as soon as any dew has been dried by the sun. Use scissors only, don't pull or break the flowers off at the stems.
Carnations, daffodils & all types of daisies produce fantastic dried arrangements. Avoid drying white flowers as they turn a dull, grey colour.
Spread the flowers on a Mesh Tray in your Ezidri Dehydrator & dry at 40 deg C (Snackmaker - Low) for 6-8 hours. You can also choose to dry them in a bunch, using Spacer Rings to add height to the trays.
When completely dry, arrange in a bunch & spray with a 'petal proofer' or hairspray.
Enjoy the smell & beauty of your dried flower arrangement!
Information courtesy of Drying Food, by Ricky M Gribling.
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HOW TO MAKE POT POURRI
The Summer months are the best for making pot pourri as the aromatic herbs are at their peak & flowers are their most dazzling & fragrant.
Pot pourri can be made using a combination of flower petals, gumnuts, herbs, leaves & fruit blossoms - especially citrus. The most popular flower petals used in pot pourri are apple or orange blossom, geranium, honeysuckle, lavender, nasturtium, roses & violets. Add in herbs such as basil, bay leaves, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, spearmint & thyme.
Additional pot pourri ingredients are fixatives which prevent the fragrance from evaporating. Orris root, sandalwood & dried citrus peel do the job nicely. A couple of drops of fragrant or essential oils also helps to enhance the fragrance.
To make your own pot pourri simply follow any of the recipes below & have fun experimenting!
Information courtesy of Drying Food, by Ricky M Gribling.
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BASIC POT POURRI
Ingredients
4 handfuls of dried herbs, peels & flowers
1-2 Tbsp fixative (Sandalwood or dried citrus peel is good for this)
1-2 Tbsp mixed spices
A few drops of fragrant oil
Method
Your flower petals need to be completely dry, so gather your flowers for pot pourri early in the day, as soon as the dew has been dried by the sun.
Spread your petals, leaves, gumnuts or pods sparsely on a Mesh Sheet in your Ezidri dehydrator & dehydrate at 40 deg C (Snackmaker - Low) for about 6 hours. Dry herbs separately at 35 deg C (Snackmaker - Low), also for about 6 hours.
Once finished, allow to cool, then place dried flowers, herbs, peels & any other dried materials in a large glass, ceramic or stainless steel bowl, tossing gently until mixed.
Combine the fixative & oil in a small bowl and then mix in the dried flowers & spices.
Store in a glass jar in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks to allow the fragrance to develop. Shake or stir the mixture one to two times a week.
After time this aromatic delight will be ready to be enjoyed!
This recipe can be found along with plenty of other great ideas in the Ezidri Snackmaker & Ultra FD1000 Instruction/Recipe Book.
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DRIED FLOWER & HERB BATH BAG
Method
This recipe couldn't be easier! Simply dry your choice of flowers & herbs and then place 1 Tbsp of dried flowers or herbs, or a combination of both in a small cotton or cheesecloth bag.
To use, simply run yourself a bath & add the bath bag, letting it steep for 5-10 minutes before getting in. Or, place the bag in 1 Litre of boiling water. Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes and then add the herb infusion to a full bath.
Remember you can reuse the bath bag - simply empty & dry it, then refill with a new combination of dried flowers or herbs.
Recipe courtesy of Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook.
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HERB & FLOWER POT POURRI
Ingredients
6 cups rose petals
1 cup dried thyme
1 cup dried rosemary
1 cup dried sweet marjoram
1 cup dried lavender
1 cup dried sweet basil
6 bay leaves, crushed
1 Tbsp allspice berries
2 Tbsp dried orange peel
2 Tbsp dried lemon peel
1 tsp anise seeds
Method
This pot pourri couldn't be simpler! Simply mix all ingredients together & stir in a cool, dark area until ready to use.
Recipe courtesy of The Dehydrator Cookbook, by Joanna White.
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LAVENDER ROSE PETAL SACHET
Ingredients
1 cup dried lavender
1 cup dried rose petals
1/2 cup dried citrus peel
Method
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients & fill small cloth pillows. Sew the ends of the sachets closed. The fabric used should be lightweight enough to let the fragrance emerge, but not so sheer that the contents fall through.
Use the sachets to scent clothes drawers & wardrobes as well as your linen closet.
Make sure you experiment with your sachets - these pillows smell fantastic when made of 2 or 3 ingredients, including mint, lavender, rosemary, rose petals, geranium, thyme, violets & lilacs.
Enjoy!
Recipe courtesy of Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook.
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SENSATIONAL SOAP
CAUTION: This recipe involves Caustic Soda - always wear gloves when using Caustic Soda!
Ingredients
5 heaped Tbsp dried chamomile flowers
1 cup boiling water
2 cups water, extra
1 kg lard (pork fat)
145g caustic soda (1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp)
2 tsp glycerin
2 tsp almond oil
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp eucalyptus oil
2 Tbsp honey
Method
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over dried chamomile flowers, cover bowl & leave overnight.
Prepare the moulds you are going to use. Any firm rectangular container will do for a mould. A baking dish, a strong cardboard show box lined with plastic wrap, kitchen moulds or small longlife milk cartons (500ml) are ideal.
Drain & squeeze the liquid from chamomile flowers, using muslin or cheesecloth; discard the flowers.
Using a ceramic bowl (not an aluminum bowl or a saucepan), add enough water to the chamomile liquid to make up exactly 700ml.
Sprinkle caustic soda over liquid & use a wooden spoon to stir gently until the caustic soda is dissolved. As it combines with the water the mixture will become very warm. This is as it should be. Leave to cool.
Melt lard in a large saucepan. Don't have it too hot - just warm & melted. Remove from heat. Add caustic soda mixture & stir for 10 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients. Do not attempt to use dried or living flowers or herbs, they will decay.
Keep stirring for at least 10 minutes. The longer the soap is stirred, the smoother it will become, 30 minutes is not too long.
Pour soap mixture into prepared moulds & allow to settle. Cover & leave for 2 days. It should then be firm enough to cut into cakes, but not so hard that it is difficult to cut.
Place on a Mesh Sheet in your Ezidri dehydrator and dry at 35 deg C (Snackmaker - Medium) for 6 hours, turning the soap after 3 hours.
Your soap is then ready to use!
For something different, why not try adding a couple of tablespoons of oatmeal. Coconut oil added to a basic soap recipe is a very good lathering agent, but it tends to dry out the skin, so for this recipe 1 teaspoon would be enough.
Another great idea is to experiment using your favourite essential oils. Eucalyptus oil can be used to make an antiseptic soap, as can lavender or tea-tree oil.
The chamomile infusion in this recipe is soothing to the skin & strengthens facial tissues. This makes it ideal for men who shave daily & is also a comfort to sensitive or dry skin. You could substitute the same quantity of an infusion of lemon grass or elder flowers.
Recipe courtesy of Drying Food, by Ricky M Gribling.
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SWEET & SPICY POT POURRI
Ingredients
1 cup rose petals
2 Tbsp rosemary
1/2 cup grated orange peel
1 Tbsp whole cloves
1/2 cup lavender blossoms
2 Tbsp chamomile
1 Tbsp coriander seeds
1 cinnamon stick, crumbled
Method
This pot pourri couldn't be simpler! Simply dry all of ingredients, mix together & stir in a cool, dark area until ready to use.
This recipe can be found along with plenty of other great ideas in the Ezidri Snackmaker & Ultra FD1000 Instruction/Recipe Book.
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