what to do with extra herbs

What are the best herbs to cook with?

Thyme

• Tastes earthy.
• Delicious Pairings: Any bean dish, blends well with bay leaves, parsley, or lemon zest, and roasted vegetables
• Extra Tip: Lightly crush dried leaves between your fingers when adding to a dish to release the flavor.

What herbs should I Keep on hand?

Ten Basic Spices Every Cook Should Have on Hand

1. Garlic. The Greeks called it stinking rose, but its pungency aside, garlic has a rich history of culinary and medicinal use.
2. Onion. The onion needs no introduction. ...
3. Ginger. ...
4. Pepper (White, Green, Red and Black) Peppercorns once as used interchangeably as money—they were used to pay rent, tolls and wages in Eastern Europe, are much loved in many ...

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What herbs are good for stomach?

Top 10 Herbs for the Stomach

• Herbs for Stomach. Stomach aches, ulcers and other digestive upsets can occur to anybody and could be due to the growth of bacteria in the stomach or perhaps can be ...
• Garlic. This herb has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time. ...
• Licorice Root. ...
• Turmeric. ...
• Green Tea. ...
• Pepper Mint. ...
• Ginger. ...
• Spearmint. ...
• Aloe vera. ...
• Chamomile. ...

What do I do with leftover herbs?

Fresh Herbs

• Make a Big Salad. ...
• Cook a Simple Syrup. ...
• Put 'Em in a Salad Dressing. ...
• Decorate a Savory Tart. ...
• Infuse Some Oil. ...
• Cook Up a Sauce. ...
• Rub Down a Chicken. ...
• Add Them to Pancakes and Fritters. ...
• Give 'Em a Whirl in the Food Processor. ...
• Make a Compound Butter. ...

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What can I do with excess herbs?

10 Things to Make with Too Many HerbsFreeze Them. Freezing is the best way to store the more delicate (and, in my case, most overabundant) herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley and mint. ... Chop Them. ... Dry Them (in the Microwave!) ... Drink Them. ... Drink Them. ... Make Scrubs. ... Make Oils. ... Make Butters.More items...•

How do I preserve fresh herbs?

Herbs must be completely dry or they mold. Store in a cool, dry, dark area, away from light and heat. Dried herbs keep their flavor and color three months in cupboards and up to one year in refrigerators or freezers.

What can I do with fresh cut herbs?

Arrange the herbs lengthwise in a single layer on a slightly damp paper towel. Loosely roll up the herbs and transfer to a resealable plastic bag or in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator. This technique also works well with sage, savory, and chives.

How do you freeze herbs for later use?

Place herbs in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the herbs into an airtight container or freezer-safe ziploc bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible. To use, simply remove the herbs one sprig at a time and add to recipes.

What is the best way to dry herbs?

Drying is the easiest method of preserving herbs. Simply expose the leaves, flowers or seeds to warm, dry air. Leave the herbs in a well ventilated area until the moisture evaporates. Sun drying is not recommended because the herbs can lose flavor and color.

How do you dry herbs for storage?

Place herb leaves or seeds on a cookie sheet one inch deep or less. Put herbs in an open oven on low heat – less than 180 degrees F – for 2-4 hours. To see if the herbs are dry, check if leaves crumble easily.

Can I freeze fresh herbs?

Fun fact—you can freeze fresh herbs in portioned amounts to easily add into recipes later on! It preserves their intense flavor for months to come. Stop wasting your herbs and save money by freezing your herbs and using them in your cooking from frozen. It is so simple to do and makes for months of flavor!

Should herbs be refrigerated?

Keep them in the fridge and change the water every couple of days. Hardier herbs can just chill in the refrigerator. The best way to store them is to wrap them in a damp paper towel, and then wrap that in plastic wrap, like a snug little herb burrito.

How long will fresh herbs last in the fridge?

Store refrigerated for up to 1 week (or more, if using the herb saver). For the thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, chives, dill or tarragon: Wrap the herbs in a damp paper towel and place it in a sealed plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator. Keeps for up to 1 week.

Is it better to freeze herbs in water or oil?

Finely Chop Your Herbs If using the food processor, add 2 tablespoons of a neutral-tasting vegetable oil or olive oil—the oil will help preserve the flavor of the herbs as they freeze, and frozen oil melts faster than plain water, too.

How long can you keep fresh herbs in the freezer?

12 monthsOnce the herbs are frozen, you can transfer them into a plastic freezer bag. When storing fresh herbs like this, they can stay in your freezer for up to 12 months. Freezing herbs is an excellent way for how to keep cut herbs.

Is it better to dry or freeze parsley?

If you need to keep your parsley longer than 3–5 days, freezing it is your best option. The herbs won't be sprightly enough to work as a garnish, but they'll definitely work when stirred into an herb sauce, a pan of scrambled eggs, or a pot of beans.

Can you store herbs in mason jars?

Store tender herbs by snipping off the bases of the stems and removing any discolored or wilted leaves. Transfer them to a large Mason jar with an inch of water in the bottom. Seal the jar with the lid (if it fits), or cover the top of the jar with an overturned plastic bag sealed with a rubber band.

Is it better to dry or freeze parsley?

If you need to keep your parsley longer than 3–5 days, freezing it is your best option. The herbs won't be sprightly enough to work as a garnish, but they'll definitely work when stirred into an herb sauce, a pan of scrambled eggs, or a pot of beans.

What is the best way to preserve basil?

Clean, dry, and chop fresh basil into small pieces or add to a food processor. Add one part salt to the basil, pulsing in the food processor for about 30 seconds. Store your mix in the refrigerator and remove as needed.

What is the best way to preserve fresh parsley?

How to Preserve Fresh Parsley in the RefrigeratorMake a fresh cut on the bottom of the parsley stalks.Gently wrap the parsley in a damp paper towel.Slide the bundle into an open bag or container to prevent excessive moisture buildup.Store it in your refrigerator for up to one week.

1. Herbes Salées

This is a great way to easily use up a variety of those leftover herbs like parsley, chives, thyme and rosemary. But what do you do with herbes salées? Add them to mashed potatoes, soups, dressings, on meat or vegetables…basically, any dish you want to lend a salty, fresh herb flavour to.

2. Classic Pesto

Making pesto is definitely one of the most practical uses for surplus herbs. Whether it’s basil, parsley, cilantro or a mix of several different herbs, this option is versatile and allows you to be creative with anything you might need to use up!

3. Flavoured Butter for Corn on the Cob

This recipe idea goes hand in hand with corn season: With these three flavoured butter recipes—cheddar and bacon, ginger and lime, and sun-dried tomato and basil—we guarantee that there will be no waste!

4. Herb Granité for Oysters

Hello creativity! Francine P. told us in 2018 that this recipe was “a big success” with her friends. So much so that one of her friends even ate her first oyster thanks to this refreshing and herby granité topping! Need we say more?

5. Citrus- and Cilantro-Infused Vodka

Over ice or mixed into a cocktail, this infused vodka will give your cilantro stems a new purpose. Nothing could be simpler for a festive summery drink recipe!

6. Herb Salad

Simple and delicious, this recipe will turn leftovers into a beautiful side dish for a weekday meal. It goes to show that it doesn’t take much to reduce food waste!

7. Cold Salmon with Tabbouleh and Peas

Since we’re talking about easy and satisfying meals, this tabbouleh is perfect to accompany weekday lunches as a new go-to recipe for your rotation.

How to make a refreshing summer drink?

Sweeten lemonade and tea with an herbal simple syrup -– or just mix the herbal syrup with sparkling water or soda for a refreshing summer drink. Greg recommends using leftover mint, basil, tarragon, or cilantro for this: “Add a handful of herbs in with equal amounts sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cool to room temp, strain, and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.”

How long can you keep herbs in the fridge?

The classic use for leftover herbs is to chop them and fold them into butter. Keep the herb butter in the fridge for two weeks or in the freezer for several months.

How to use up herbs?

Food editor Greg Lofts' favorite way to use up herbs is to gently warm olive oil in a pan and add the herbs to the oil, then let it cool down before straining. This makes an herb-infused oil for vinaigrettes or to use as a finishing oil.

How long to microwave dried herbs?

1) Place a few herb branches onto a paper towel on a plate. Place another paper towel on top and another plate for weight. 2) Microwave on HIGH for about 2 minutes, checking halfway and replacing the paper towels if damp. 3) If the herbs haven't dried after 2 minutes, microwave again for 30-second intervals until dry.

How to use a parsley comb?

To use, just place the herb comb by the stem of the parsley and comb it through towards the leaves. Pull the comb through the herb, against the grain of the leaves.

What to do with leftover thyme?

Sunny gave us a delicious and quick hack for using up leftover thyme--sprinkling it onto your fruit salad. Thyme goes well with desserts which is why Sunny often mixes it up with fruit. We tried sprinkling thyme onto a fruit salad of strawberries, green grapes, blueberries and oranges and found that it complimented the sweet taste perfectly.

How long to steep sage?

Let it steep for about 15 minutes, then strain into a pitcher and let it chill in the fridge overnight. It's delicious when served with ice and a squeeze of lemon, too!

Can you dry herbs in the microwave?

Videos of people drying their own herbs at home in their microwave went viral, so we tried it out for ourselves. We tested both hard herbs like sage, thyme and rosemary and soft herbs like parsley and basil, and found that it works well for hard herbs but seems to deflate the soft herbs entirely. We think this homemade hack is an easy way to make use of any hard herbs you have in the fridge before they go bad!

Can you use a comb tool with parsley?

We tried out the herb comb tool with parsley and found that it worked pretty well, but that using our hands to strip the herb worked even better and was quicker. It would, however, be a fun, safe way for the kids to use to help you while you're cooking!

Can you make your own tea with sage?

Sage Tea. It's easy to make your own tea using herbs. We tested a tea with sage and honey and found that it worked perfectly because the floral and mellow flavor of sage works well with honey for a refreshing drink. We tried it iced for an extra level of refreshment.

How to keep fresh herbs fresh?

When in doubt, or out of ideas, just stick your fresh mint, basil, cilantro and everything else into a small vase on your counter. Refresh the water often and the herbs will keep for a week, making your kitchen smell great and keeping them close at hand when you need them!

What herbs are used in compound butter?

Try Thyme and Paprika; Cilantro, Jalapeno and Lime; Blue Cheese and Chive, or my favorite All the Herbs in Your Garden Butter.

How to store basil and cilantro?

Freezing is the best way to store the more delicate (and, in my case, most overabundant) herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley and mint. The classic method of chopping and freezing herbs in ice cube trays covered in water works well, but I prefer to free ze them flat in a Ziploc bag with olive oil.

What to do with flat bag of oil?

The oil prevents freezer burn and adds flavor to your cooking and the flat bags take up much less freezer space. 2. Chop Them. Into Pestos, Pistous, Chimichurris or Cilantro Chutneys. All of these lovely sauces are variations on the theme of herbs chopped into oils and drizzled over meats, veggies or breads.

How to make butters from herbs?

Just mix 1 stick unsalted butters with a little bit of every herb in your garden (washed and rough chopped). Add a little lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste and roll into a saran-wrap or parchment log. Store in fridge or freezer. 9. Make Purees.

How to make infused oils?

Make Oils. Herb-infused oils make a delicious addition to salads, seafood and grilled veggies and are so easy to make. Combine washed and dried herbs of your choice into a mason jar. Heat 2 cups of olive oil to 200 degrees. Pour hot oil into jar, cover with a towel and let sit overnight.

Can you dry herbs in the microwave?

Although bunches of herbs hanging from your kitchen rafters makes for an inviting mise en scene, employing your microwave to dry herbs makes for a much faster and better result. Herbs that dry well in the microwave include hearty herbs like rosemary, thyme, lavender, savory, marjoram and oregano. Other herbs like cilantro and parsley can be dried as well. Simply wash and dry, place on two layers of paper towel and cover with an additional two layers of paper towel. Microwave on high in 20 second bursts until completely dry. Store whole or ground in an airtight container.

How to use vinegar in salad?

Wash and dry herbs – the sky's the limit on which herbs you want to use. Put 1/2 cup of herbs in a clean jar or bottle, pour two cups of vinegar on top.

What herbs are used in pesto?

But it need not end there. Pesto with any tender herb is lovely – cilantro, mint, parsley all make for a knockout pesto and you can match and mix as you like.

How to store seaweed logs?

Store parchment-wrapped log in an airtight container in the freezer. Cut into slices straight from the freezer and allow to melt directly on top of hot food. (Plus: If you have some extra dried seaweed snacks looking for a purpose, you can make seaweed butter in the same way. It's so good.) 2.

How to make a log for vegans?

Start with softened butter (coconut oil works for vegans); I use sweet butter and add sea salt to taste. Add a load of minced herbs and whatever else you have on hand (I like a touch of fresh garlic and lemon zest), plop it onto a piece of parchment paper and roll it into a log.

What herbs can mold?

Tender-Leaf Herbs – Basil, oregano, tarragon, lemon balm and the mints have a high moisture content and will mold if not dried quickly. Try hanging the tender-leaf herbs or those with seeds inside paper bags to dry. Tear or punch holes in the sides of the bag.

How to substitute dried herbs for fresh?

To substitute dried herbs for fresh in a recipe, use 1/4 to 1/3 of the amount called for. 8. Infuse sugar. Herb-tinged sugar gives a nice little surprise to desserts, cocktail glass rims, tea, fresh fruit, etcetera.

How long to blanch basil?

For basil only, water or steam blanch 1 minute. For other herbs, blanching is not necessary. Freeze in a single layer on cookie sheet. Pack into an airtight freezer storage container; bring out as needed.

How long to microwave honey?

For herb honey, you have to first dry your herbs. Do this by washing herbs and drying as much as you can by hand. Then, de-stem the leaves and place in an even layer on top of a plate. Microwave on full power for 30 seconds. Repeat until crunchy—about 3 to 4 minutes.

How to make herb oil?

In order to make herb oil, put herbs of your choice (basil, thyme, oregano, etc.) into a one-quart mason jar. Then pour 2 cups canola oil and 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil into a saucepan. Heat to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour the hot oil into the mason jar with your herbs and cover with a towel. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, use cheesecloth to strain the oil.

How to bring green to your home?

To bring green flair to your home, try decorating with indoor herbs! Herbs are extremely easy to grow, contain, and keep healthy. Plus, they’re absolutely beautiful and impart focusing and calming benefits.

What is chimichurri sauce?

Chimichurri is to Argentina what ketchup is to the United States. In other words, a staple. Although this herby, garlicky sauce is typically drizzled on grilled beef and fish, we have a feeling it would taste divine on pretty much anything, to be honest. Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon Cilantro, finely chopped.

What spices are used in Herbs de Provence?

That’s your cue to start experimenting with spice blends like Herbs de Provence. With equal parts savory, thyme, rosemary, basil, tarragon, and lavender, Herbs de Provence is a simple way to jazz up chicken, fish, or potatoes before roasting — just like our chefs did with Herbs de Provence Chicken with a Farro Caprese Salad.

How long can you keep fresh herbs in the fridge?

To save the water for the next day, strain out the solids before refrigerating for two to three days. The last thing you want is to reach for those leftover fresh herbs and find then well past their prime, which is why it’s important to learn how to correctly store them.

How to replant herbs that have been cut?

9. Replant them. Just because fresh herbs are cut doesn’t mean they can’t be replanted. The trick is to place them in enough cold water to immerse the stems but keep the leaves above. Lightly cover with a plastic bag and they may very well sprout roots after 1-2 weeks at room temperature.

What herbs are good to dry?

Behold the kitchen trick as old as time…drying! For thousands of years, this was the only way to keep fresh herbs from spoiling, and it hasn’t lost it’s appeal — especially when it comes to tarragon, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and lemon balm.

How long does it take for a sprig of rosemary to dry?

Simply tie sprigs or branches into small bunches and hang downward. Depending on the size of the branches and humidity, it may take 8-10 days to dry completely. To speed up the process, lay each herb out separately on cheesecloths to create a makeshift rack, and store for 2-3 days in a warm, airy spot out of direct sunlight.

How long does rosemary stay in a jar?

Add rosemary to the jar, cover with olive oil, seal, and let sit in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks. Drizzle to your heart’s content on pasta, bread, marinades, soups, pizza, eggs, etc, etc, etc. 7. Flavor butter. Your toast won’t know what hit it.