Drying Herbs
Oregano! Thyme! Basil! Oh my! Drying and preserving your fresh herbs at home is a money and time saving technique to bring delicious flavor to your meals year round! In this video, we see just how to do it, and our pal, Eryn Whalen, gives you some helpful tips and tricks.
Start by gathering your fresh herbs that you want to dry, whether that's from your garden or the grocery store. Make sure you harvest them in the morning! That is when they have the most flavor.
Next, find a place in your home where you can hang your herb stems. Take some twine and hang them from their stems (upside down), ensuring that all the essential oils move down onto the leaves during the drying process. Also, hang them out of direct sunlight and away from any moisture so they can properly dry. After about four weeks of drying, your herbs should be ready to go! You can either grind the herbs up or leave them whole, depending on desired effect. Place them into a container and set aside. It really is that easy to get dried herbs at home for a fraction of the price in the grocery store!
How to use
Dried herbs can be used in just about any recipe that calls for fresh herbs! From soups and stews, to pasta and even meat seasoning, dried herbs are a perfect addition to any recipe. Dried oregano is great in any dish that has tomatoes and cheese, such as most Mexican or Italian dishes. Most people even prefer oregano dried vs fresh! Another great dried herb to always have in your kitchen is thyme. Thyme can be used for a variety of dishes. From roasted chicken, to soups and stews, it adds a light and unique flavor.
How to store
The best way to store your dried herbs is not only ensuring they are in a cool dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard, but also making sure they are out of direct sunlight. You can also store them in a freezer if that is easier for your cooking habits. Finally, make sure you are keeping your herbs in an airtight container or bag. With the proper storing methods, your dried herbs can last from one to three years!
Sources: The best ways to use dried herbs.
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Instagram-Dried herbs can be used in just about any recipe that calls for fresh herbs! From soups and stews, to pasta and even meat seasoning, dried herbs are a perfect addition to any recipe. Being able to dry and preserve your fresh herbs at home is a money and time saving technique to bring delicious flavor to your meals year round! @Eryn explains just how to do it, and even gives you some tips and tricks along the way. #WAGrown #herbs #sustainable
Facebook- Dried herbs can be used in just about any recipe that calls for fresh herbs! From soups and stews, to pasta and even meat seasoning, dried herbs are a perfect addition to any recipe. Being able to dry and preserve your fresh herbs at home is a money and time saving technique to bring delicious flavor to your meals year round! @Eryn explains just how to do it, and even gives you some tips and tricks along the way.
The best way to store your dried herbs is not only ensuring they are in a cool dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard, but also making sure they are out of direct sunlight. You can also store them in a freezer if that is easier for your cooking habits. Finally, make sure you are keeping your herbs in an airtight container or bag. With the proper storing methods, your dried herbs can last anywhere from one to three years! #WAGrown #herbs #sustainable
