Not only can you get perfectly good food from the clearance rack and dehydrate it, instead of wasting a lot of produce in your refrigerator, get out the dehydrator and dry it.

You can make up your own packets of soup mix from your dehydrated "goodies".

Cream of Mushroom Soup Mix
1 c. (250 ml) dried mushrooms
1/2 t. (2 ml) dried onions
1/2 t. (2 ml) grated dried lemon rind
3 T. (45 ml) all-purpose flour
1 t. (5 ml) salt
1/8 t. pepper (1/2 ml)
1 c. (250 ml) dry milk powder

Combine all ingredients and store in a tightly sealed container. To use: add to 1-1/2 quarts (1-1/2 litres) boiling water. Cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and thickened. Cover and cook over very low heat for 20-30 minutes. Serves 4-6.

For more dehydrating information and recipes, check out a copy of "Making & Using Dried Foods" by Phyllis Hobson.

-Grainlady

Potatoes have gotten really expensive at $4/10 lb bag. I found them on sale at $.99/5 lb bag last week and bought enough to get me through the new year.

My co-op also will take the meat that's close to sell-by, freeze it, and offer a 20% discount on it. That works out well if I don't need it right away and especially if it's going to be stewed or braised.