Drying Herbs

[Mylilpinkpig]

I planted way to much basil, oregano and cilantro in the garden this year. Has anyone tried drying fresh herbs? Any other ideas on how to preserve them??

[Rowen]

I have always just bundled and hung them above my sink. Makes the kitchen smell wondrful while the leaves dry :) Also try freezing the fresh herbs for use in Pesto.

Rowen

[Fia MacTaggert]

Parsley, Cilantro and Oregano all dry extremely well in the microwave. Simply wash, pat or let stand until VERY dry, then place herbs in the zapper on paper towels for maybe half a minute or so. You can probably find exact directions on the internet somewhere, but I have done it several times with great success. No herb garden anymore, so I forgot times. It keeps the herbs color bright, and I have not had a problem with it affecting the flavours at all. I don't think I ever tried basil, but no reason why it would not work. I like fresh basil to much to have it around long enough to dry!

I'll see if I can find the page on the web where I found my directions originally.

Fia 8)

[Fia MacTaggert]

Hmm...nevermind. I just checked a web site and discovered that Micro drying is not recommended due to the risk of fire :shock: I never had a problem with it, and they always came out lovely and green and tasting good!

Found these pages, however. I hope they help!

http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/foods/Drying%20herbs%20frame1.htm

http://www.indianspringherbs.com/drying_herbs.htm

Fia 8)
"Undercover" Wench for now. Have to get me an avatar!

[Mylilpinkpig]

Thank you!!!!!

[Galleywench]

you can also use a slow oven to dry them...and walmart sells a dehydrator for under $15

[Nimue]

Here's an idea:

Put some basil and oregano in a jar or bottle of olive oil with a few cloves of garlic...you will end up with some lovely infused olive oil that is great with bread or pasta!

[Mylilpinkpig]

I did invest in a dehydrator and it works really well. That idea of making infused oils sounds yummy, I am going to try that today!!

[Morrigan Lynnea]

I place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet spread apart in the oven at 200 degrees with the door cracked open...only reccommended if there are no curious children's little fingers around, and if your kitchen doesn't overheat too quickly...it usually takes a couple hours to get them crunchy-dried. I only do this in the fall/winter, or when the bundle/hang drying technique isn't an option. I also mince my herbs and freeze them with a little water in ice cube trays. makes them easy to add to soups.

[Nightfire]

You could try the book Rawsome! or any other books by Brigitte Mars, she is a very very very cool lady, and teaches Herbology at my school, so she might have some books with either suggestions or great raw recipes, if you are interested...