Just can't get enough of fresh fruit!!

[Cuilidh]

Possibly, I really don't know for sure.  The ones I make have always been fairly plain.  I think some people may even put salt in them.  I'm sure if you Googled Lassi you would get some better ideas than anything I can come up with.

[Amy :-)]

I haven't been googling much since I found this forum There are so many knowledgable and experienced members, I like to ask questions and take advice from here. I hope nobody minds

I might have to google Lassis though

[Cuilidh]

I think that's the best idea Amy, my knowledge is way too limited to be really helpful.

[Amy :-)]

I think that's the best idea Amy, my knowledge is way too limited to be really helpful.

After googling Lassis, I think I mght just stick to mango smoothies

Judy, I hope you see this. I just bought 2 persimmons at Woolworths (they only had 4!!) but I'm not sure how to tell if they are ripe. Can you help me out please?

[fundj&e]

amy   do not  eat them  if they are not ripe yuk

they should be very soft. i eat them with a spoon yum   

[judydawn]

Yes, they certainly must be ripe.  You sometimes have to buy them and just look at them for a few days until they soften slightly, I don't like them as soft as Uni obviously does. I just peel and slice one then go back for another.  Don't share it with the kids, they might like them too and you won't get any.  I told GS he wouldn't like them but unfortunately he did 

[Amy :-)]

Yes, they certainly must be ripe.  You sometimes have to buy them and just look at them for a few days until they soften slightly, I don't like them as soft as Uni obviously does. I just peel and slice one then go back for another.  Don't share it with the kids, they might like them too and you won't get any.  I told GS he wouldn't like them but unfortunately he did 

Hm...they are quite firm. I think I should probably leave them for a few days. Does their colour change at all?

[judydawn]

Not really, maybe a little more orange in colour in some cases.

[cookie1]

I think my favourite would be mangoes. But then I also love bananas and grapes and a good soggy peach.
I'm very fond of dried fruits too.

[Amy :-)]

I think my favourite would be mangoes. But then I also love bananas and grapes and a good soggy peach.
I'm very fond of dried fruits too.

Dried fruit! Yum! Have you tried dried strawberries cookie?

I got watermelon today...yummmmmmmmy

I think my persimmons are still unripe. I am a bit worried that I will either cut it too soon or too late and then have to throw it out

[judydawn]

Just be patient Amy, as soon as you feel a bit of give in them try one then you will know if you want it softer or you like the firm texture.

[cookie1]

I love dried strawberries Amy. Also dry blueberries.

[stacelee]

Pink lady apples are very cheap here at the moment so I have been buying up big and drying them until they become brittle.  My daughter is eating them like chips (so is my mother).  I've had to buy more trays for my dehydrator to keep up with them.

[Amy :-)]

I love dried strawberries Amy. Also dry blueberries.

Oh yum, I haven't tried dried blueberries! I have also seen dried goji berries around? But they are quite expensive so haven't indulged in them yet...

Pink lady apples are very cheap here at the moment so I have been buying up big and drying them until they become brittle.  My daughter is eating them like chips (so is my mother).  I've had to buy more trays for my dehydrator to keep up with them.

That sounds like a great idea stacelee. I have being hearing more and more about these dehydrators. They sound very useful

[stacelee]

Mines 20 years old this year and has been used for everything from beef jerky to yoghurt drops.  I go through phases of not using it but it has done a lot of work lately as I found mushrooms for 3.99 a kilo, onions for 49c a kilo and the pink lady apples.  The mushrooms were great because they are really quick to slice using an egg slicer and I love throwing a handful of them in a casserole.  I made a quick vegetable soup yesterday by grabbing a handful of mushrooms, and other dried vegetables and dumping them in the multicooker with some chicken stock.  Took all of 1 minute to do.  My biggest problem is getting the dried product into vacuum bags and sealed before my daughter eats it.....she has discovered dried zucchini and mushrooms taste good.  I'm currently drying some beef jerky.