Make Raisins With a Dehydrator

Raisins are great in a variety of foods, they add just a touch of sweetness and the chewy texture is delightful.  Sadly they can be expensive to buy, instead try making your own.  It is easy, inexpensive and rewarding.  Now you can say the oatmeal raisin cookies were made completely from scratch!

Need:

   Organic ripe grapes (any amount)
   1 lemon
   Large pot with boiling water (enough to cover all the grapes)
   Large bowl with cold water (enough to cover all the grapes)
   Dehydrator
   Wire basket

Pick the ripe, undamaged grapes from the stem

Rinse well in warm water

Place in wire basket

Immerse in boiling water for 30-60 seconds to blanch

Rinse immediately in cold water

Transfer blanched grapes to bowl of cold water.  Make sure water completely covers grapes.  Squeeze the juice from 1/2 the lemon into water (you can use a teaspoon of citric acid but I like the subtle taste of the lemon in the finished product).

Let sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

After soaking for 10 minutes remove the grapes and pat dry (or let air dry)

Arrange grapes on dehydrator trays with space around each grape (none of the grapes should be touching)

Start your dehydrator.  Mine does not have temp settings so the process takes a bit longer.  If yours has temp settings you can set it at 130-150 degrees F for the first hour or two then drop it down to the 100-110 range for the rest of the dehydration process.

After ~ 24 hours in the dehydrator and once the raisins are as raisinesque as you like, remove the trays from the dehydrator and allow to cool for about an hour.

Store in an airtight container in a cool place

Congratulations your done!