July 23, 2024
Growing herbs:
Herbs are considered easy to grow. It is recommended as the best plants to start with for new gardeners. They can be grown in pots or in the garden. By cultivating herbs you will have fresh herbs whenever you like. They provide more flavor and nutrition. When making meals that require herbs, consider what you use the most of. Those would be the best option to grow. Starting herbs from seeds is possible, but it takes a long time for them to pop out enough leaves to harvest. Buy small plants in the spring at the start of the planting season. If you plant them in your garden, they will come back year after year. Once they are established, they can be harvested when need for meals as you are making them.
Drying fresh herbs:
- Remove the bigger leaves with a scissors from the outside of the plant to encourage continued growth.
- Fresh cut herbs don’t last long, so use them as soon as you can.
- Next chop the fresh herbs using a sharp knife or by putting them in a food processor.
- The finer you chop the herbs, the more oils that are released and the more fragrant it will be.
Drying herbs for year round use:
Drying herbs from your garden is a great way to get the most out of them. It is simple and easy. It will definitely save some money.
They will last if stored properly, for 6 months to 3 years. Watch the color and the flavor to fade as your guide that they have come to the end of their use.
Steps to drying herbs:
- Prep your herbs by rinsing them off. Shake off excess water, dry with a towel.
- Dry methods- air dry, using the oven, the microwave or a food dehydrator if you have one. Always follow the instructions carefully to avoid the herbs catching on fire.
- When the herbs are fully dry, they should be delicate and crunchy. Transfer the herbs to an airtight container. Glass jars work great, so you can see what is in them. I like to label them. Then I know at a glance what is in the container.
My preferred method of drying herbs:
I prefer to air dry my herbs. There is no special equipment needed.
1) Snip the leaves off the stems and place them in a single layer in a glass container. I set them on the kitchen counter.
2) Use a kitchen scissors to cut the leaves into smaller pieces.
3) I turn them once a day, redistributing them in the container to dry.
4) After several days they are ready to be put into jars.
Using your herbs all year long
With preserved herbs, you will notice a richer aroma, color and taste. It is very satisfying to be able to use the herbs all year long.
Here is a good site that explains in detail the various methods and steps in drying herbs.
https://simpleecology.com/recipes/make-your-own-dried-herbs
Bon Appetit!