[mudbug]

I'm sure most of you use fresh herbs from your gardens, anyone have their own special way of drying the excess?

[Papa]

Dear Cchiu:

The thing that is important to remember when it comes to drying herbs is that you have to hung them upside down.

I dry my herbs inside the house because Connecticut is very humid even in the summer.

[SeattleDeb]

Yesterday on Martha Stewart she had a segment on drying herbs with tulle and using the fridge first for a few weeks. Wondered if anyone had used this method when I watched.

web page

[cape chef]

I dry my herbs basicly the same way papa does.Two things I do, first I soak them in cold water to let all the unwanted protiens (you know what I mean)sink to the bottom. Then I let them air dry. After they are dry I hang them in my celler and place a papaer bag over them and pock a few holes in it for airation, Then I cut a small opening in the bottom. The reason I do these two steps is 1 The bag will catch any herb that falls and 2 the whole on the bottom is what I use to get at the herbs.I keep the whole closed with a little piece of tape
cc

[layjo]

Thanks for the Good sugesstions and techniques for drying. I have a garlic braid in my kitchen for decoration and I use the garlic from it from time to time. I rinsed some herbs from my garden gently with cool water. What I tried is sticking herbs branches and stems in between the garlic bulbs and the braid and left them on till they dried and seperated the leaves in little spice containers. Lately i havent been doing much cooking at home, but i want to start drying some herbs for when i need them! By the way, it makes the kitchen smell fragrent of herbs ...which I like!

[mudbug]

Papa,

Actually, we use our herbs too quicklym to dry them!

If I were to dry them, I probably would use them method referred to by SeattleDeb. Why? because it is ideal for them to dry in a cool, dark place. They would be dust free, and they would retain more oil than if dried in a warmer area (we don't have a basement).

DRYING HERBS

Fresh herbs
Paper towels
18-by-24-inch piece of tulle
String or other material for tying ends of tulle

1. After picking fresh herbs from your garden, wash them under cold running water. Pat the herbs dry, and drain them mon paper towels.

2. Arrange the herbs on a piece of tulle. Do not combine different herbs on the tulle because herb-drying times vary. Roll the tulle into a tube shape—but not tightly, as the holes in the tulle allow air to circulate, and the herbs will keepm their shape. Tie the ends of the tulle with a piece of string to secure.

3. Store the tulle in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. Drying times will vary, depending on temperature and mmoisture. Make sure the herbs are completely dried, or they will form mold. Once the herbs have dried, remove them mfrom the tulle. (You’ll know they are ready when the leaves feel crisp and crumble easily.) Arrange the dried herbs in man airtight glass jar, and store in a dark, dry place, such as a kitchen cabinet.