Nesco Food Dehydrator Sweet & Spice Potpourri, 1⁄8 cup dried rosemary 1⁄8 cup dried chamomile

12 to 24 hours. In the dehydrator, they are usually dry in 6 to 12 hours.

Paint and seal as directed in the salt dough recipe.

Potpourri

Home dried potpourri and sachets are fun and easy to do in your dehydrator. Take advantage of your flower garden in the summer by dehydrating petals, for potpourri, to use the rest of the year. Combine petals with store-bought spices, fixatives, and essential oils to make inexpensive, elegant gifts.

Pick flowers when they are about three- quarters open – when they are fully open, they lose fragrance. Gather about twice the amount you believe you’ll need, since they shrink as they dry.

Remove petals from flower heads and pull herb leaves from their stems. Spread in a single layer on a Clean-A- Screen® accessory and place in your dehydrator.

Set temperature at 90°- 100°F (35°C). Dry until brittle-dry, which may take from 2 to 12 hours, depending upon the plants, the amount, and the model of dehydrator you are using.

Store different flowers and herbs sepa- rately in covered jars until you’re ready to mix. Keep in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.

Experiment with different combina- tions, mixing small quantities and recording the results until you come up with a blend that you like.

To blend ingredients, measure and stir dried materials into a large bowl.

When you have the right blend of color and fragrance, add fixative, spices, and oil. Age in a tightly sealed jar for 2 - 6 weeks, shaking occasionally to blend fragrances.

Package in smaller decorative contain- ers or bags for gifts or personal use.

Sweet & Spice Potpourri

For a perfect holiday gift, place one cup of this recipe in a lace bag tied with a colorful ribbon.

1cup dried rose petals

1⁄4 cup dried lavender blossoms

1⁄8 cup dried rosemary

1⁄8 cup dried chamomile

1⁄2 cup dried grated orange peel

1 tsp. powdered orrisroot

2tsp. orange-spice tea

1tbl. coriander seed

1tbl. whole cloves

1stick cinnamon, crumbled 1⁄3 tsp. ground cloves

1⁄4 tsp. ground nutmeg

2drops rose oil

1drop orange oil

1drop lavender oil

1⁄2 cup dried bachelor’s button petals (for color)

In a large bowl, combine rose petals, lavender, rosemary, chamomile, and orange peel. Add orrisroot, tea, and spices. Add oils, sprinkling lightly over mixture. Mix in bachelor’s button petals. Makes about 2 cups potpourri. There are numerous ingredients that produce wonderful smelling potpourri! Experiment with plants that you have available or purchase plants from an herbalist, drug-store, or supermarket.

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