SANDRA'S SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO FREEZE FRESH HERBS: The easy way and tips for using them later
I often find that I have an abundance of herbs at times, and here is a quick method of freezing some of them so you have use of your herbs year round... |
This is so rewarding...
I often have to go to the market for just one herb while cooking a particular recipe. Further, I tend to never use all the herbs I purchase or grow, so this is the best method I found to preserve herbs is by freezing them.
Choose the best and healthiest, leaves, sprigs, or shoots of herbs: basil, parsley, thyme, chives, rosemary, etc., (See below).
Wash, and spin dry fresh herbs (or pat dry with paper towels).
Spread them out in one layer on a parchment paper (or wax paper) lined baking sheet. Flash freezing them flat and individually will prevent them from melding together later on.
Cover and place the cookie sheet of herbs into the freezer and freeze solid for a minimum of 24 hours.
Meanwhile, mark small Zip Lock bags with date/name of herb/amount/expiration date = up to 6 mos. When frozen, measure and place ¼ cup into individual bags, and to freezer.
If you freeze quite a few herbs, it may be easier to find them in your freezer if you store the individual packages of the same herb together in one large container.
[Be aware that when herbs are frozen, they become limp, lose their color and are best used in cooked foods, dressing, sauces, pesto, salsa, etc., although not as a garnish for instance.]
BASIL a natural snipped in with tomatoes; terrific in fresh pesto; other possibilities include pasta sauce, peas, zucchini, Italian toppings for brochettes
CHIVES dips, potatoes, tomatoes
CILANTRO Mexican, Asian and Caribbean cooking; salsas, tomatoes, salads, dips
DILL carrots, cottage cheese, fish, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, dips
MINT carrots, fruit salads, parsley, peas, tabouli, tea, parfaits, desserts, drinks, garnish
OREGANO peppers, tomatoes, sauces, stews
PARSLEY The curly leaf is the most common, but the flat leaf or Italian parsley is more strongly flavored and often preferred for cooking. Naturals for parsley include potato salad, tabouli, green salads, sauces, soups, and stews, to mention a few
ROSEMARY chicken, fish, lamb, pork, roasted potatoes, soups, stews, tomatoes
SAGE poultry seasoning, stuffings
TARRAGON chicken, eggs, fish, salad dressings
THYME eggs, lima beans, potatoes, poultry, summer squash, tomatoes
WINTER SAVORY dried bean dishes, stews
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