Best replacement for potato chips?

[livenraw]

We don't have a dehydrator just yet (we are working on getting out of debt before we buy any fancy gadgets) and dh always likes the taste of potato chips. Is there some type of replacement that doesn't require dehydrating that might be satisfactory?

[rawpriestess]

Well, you are asking three questions here,

1. how can I replace potato chips
2. how can I replace potato chips without dehydrating
3. how can I get the taste of potato chips

So, you can make all kinds of really great dehydrated crackers, or chips taht give you the crispy chip texture and the taste of potato chips, but without a dehydrator you are really limiting yourself.

So, you can cut crispy veggies, like carrots or turnips or parsnips thin, and sal them, but they will be wet, and cold and crispy, not warm and crunchy, but it really depends on what you LIKE about potato chips, I've never cared for them, so I'm lucky, I've never liked crunchy salty foods.

But, I do make killer chips and crackers, as so many other people love them.

So, take any veggie, slice it thin, salt it and try that, I can't think of any other way, with the limitation of no dehydrator.

Good luck, I think parsnips are the "least" veggie tasting veggie for this.

[Autumn]

Hmmmmm, I think I might have something that will work. I found that for me (who liked chips when I was eating them, but wasn't chip crazy), that when I want something chip-like (something crunchy, salty and that I can snack on for a while) that sliced cucumbers with a bit of sea salt sprinkled on top does the trick. I eat them the way most SAD eaters each chips-I can't stop!

So even though they don't taste like potato chips, it might fit the bill as far as texture and saltiness.

If he was a chip and dip guy, perhaps dipping them in a raw version of his favorite kind of dip (dill, onion-based, etc.) would work.

[Autumn]

Ah! RP and I must have been posting at the same time. :)

[creaky]

I found a dehydrator at a local Goodwill thrift store. You might try your local thrift stores. It took a while for me to find it but I kep going back to the store, hoping one day one would be there. Of course, when you buy it, you hope it works fine, but most stores will let you bring it back if it doesn't.


Christy

[tames]

Just an opinion. If you buy a dehydrator, make sure it has a temperature control. I have one that was sold on T.V. that I bought a few years ago. It does not say how warm it gets, and no temp control.

--Tim

[anthony11]

We don't have a dehydrator just yet (we are working on getting out of debt before we buy any fancy gadgets) and dh always likes the taste of potato chips. Is there some type of replacement that doesn't require dehydrating that might be satisfactory?
I don't know your financial situation, but I've read reports that Wal-Mart (hissss) sells a round dehydrator for $30-40. It's not ideally suited to raw stuff, but for the $ ... The Excalibur that many here use can be had for $100-200 depending on which size you get and if you get the teflex sheets for stuff that'd fall through the screen otherwise.

Photos of the chips I made: http://www.dreamsnake.net/ids/index.cgi?mode=album&album=./Food

[Sweet lips]

Oh, Anthony, you are talking about the Nesco at Walmart - and yes, it is suited for raw stuff - it has a temp control- but alas it is round. I had and still have 2 along with my excalibur - but yes, it is 35.00 in Maryland and it works very well for raw. Many on this board have them.

[Christinejeanine]

Really check out thrift stores. A friend was telling me when she went raw, she found several dehydrators at thrift stores for under $10 and she'd buy them to friends who were leaning towards raw as motivational gifts. So, I decided to check out the thrift store down the street and I found one on my very first try for $9.32! :)

[FreshAir]

I have the Nesco from Walmart and am very pleased with it for the money. I might want the Excalibur later, but I wanted to be sure I would use it enough to warrant the expense. But..... is there something I can use for the teflex without buying it online? It came with one, but I really need at least one more. I tried wax paper, big mistake, won't do that again. Thought if I put coconut oil on it, my crackers wouldn't stick. Does butcher paper or parchment paper work, and where can I find it?

As for the chips, I do like my zucchini sliced thin and sprinkled with garlic salt, then dehydrated til crispy - it really hits that crunchy salty spot :D

[sweetgoddess]

FreshAir, I use parchment paper all the time when dehydrating. It works wonderfully. I buy the natural unbleached parchment and find it at both the healthfood store and the grocery store. Im sure you can hunt it down.

Many Blessings~

[swiddweas]

raw priestess, will you be so kind as to share your raw craker/chip recipie, please?

thank you
swid

[Fuzzball]

Every day I have Zucchini chips with Spicy Herbamaire on them. That's really good cold and fresh....I bet they're great after a bout in the Dehydrator.