Monday, September 11, 2017

How To Dry Fresh Basil



Drying fresh basil is super easy!

Don't let that fresh basil you purchased for a special recipe go to waste in your fridge! Preserve it by drying it!
If you have an herb garden with fresh basil growing in it, preserve it now because the plant will die off when the weather turns cold!


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As I said, drying fresh basil is super easy. If you buy fresh herbs from the store and only use a little in your cooking, don't let them go bad in the refrigerator. The process is the same whether you picked them out of your garden or bought basil fresh at the store.

Just clip off individual leaves and place on a paper towel on a cookie sheet or plate. Try not to pile them up. Set them aside for a day or two. The top of your refrigerator is perfect!


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When they look like this, I put them in a warm oven for about 15 minutes. I turn on my oven to it's lowest setting and then turn it off when it reaches 100 degrees, and then I set the cookie sheet in the oven (after the oven is turned off) This should dry out the leaves completely and they'll be crispy. 
If you live in a dry climate or your leaves are already crispy, skip the oven!
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After that, I just rub the leaves between my fingers and use the paper towel to pile them up.
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 Put them in jars or a Ziploc bag to use for later.
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I told you it would be super easy!

Happy Harvest!

Pam


4 comments:

  1. It does look easy! I discovered adding basil to my pasta salads and have been hooked ever since!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy to read your article. I have make fresh basil, so you can make it easy. Actually it would be super easy for you just do it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Pam, As a herb gardener I really appreciate your tutorial.

    ReplyDelete

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