Waaay back in 1999 and through 2001, I published an herbal newsletter, The Country Cottage Herb Gardener. I've recently found copies of those files on an old back-up disk (yippee!) and decided to share some of the short articles with you.
This one explains how to dry herbs in your microwave. It's timely because many of us have an over-abundance of things like basil and rosemary right now. It's a good time to harvest it and dry it for winter use.
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| A honeybee loves the blooming rosemary |
When the weather just won't cooperate enough to let you dry your herbs outdoors, or when it is too humid indoors, you can dry some herbs in your microwave oven.
Some herbs that can be dried for cooking or crafts in the microwave include basil, dill, mint, rosemary, oregano, sage, thyme, lavender, tarragon and others. The basic instructions are simple. Simply place two paper towels or an old cotton towel on top of a flat microwave-proof plate or tray. Place the clean, dry, individual herb leaves flat on the paper towels in one layer. Cover the leaves with another paper towel.
Place the plate in the microwave and cook on high (100%) power for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the plate from oven and allow to cool. Check to see if leaves are thoroughly dry by crumbling some between your fingers. If they won't crumble and still seem to be moist, microwave for an additional 30 seconds at a time until they are dry.
In our experience, a handful of herbs (or about 4 or 5 short stalks) of basil, rosemary or sage will dry in 3 minutes. Of course, allowing for differences in individual microwave ovens, yours may dry the herbs in more or less time. Experiment a little and see what happens!
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| Nice fresh rosemary, ready to be dried |
Happy trails from HOT Texas!
bobbi c.
18 comments:
I keep a small plant of basil on my kitchen counter. There is nothing better in this world than the smell of fresh basil. I swoon. I don't have a microwave (surprise!), but I used to dry herbs in the cellar. I left them hanging in paper bags, which seemed to work.
Hi Susan! Good to see you here. Yes, the paper bag method works well, too. I just don't have anywhere to hang mine right now. I do frequently hand fresh bunches upside down from cabinet knobs, etc. but that's more of a temporary thing.
Thanks for the heads up. I have an herb garden and never get to the basil fast enough before that one cold night ruins them. I try to make pesto, but this is great. Gonna try it today.
Hi Polly! It's pretty easy as long as you keep an eye on it. It works VERY well on basil. We have a lot of basil right now, too, and freeze some in cubes with olive oil and make pesto, etc. Good stuff!
Do you use pine nuts in your pesto, Bobbi?
We did at first, but they got so expensive. Now we prefer to use local pecans and even walnuts. The pecan pesto is delicious, and my favorite.
Have you made pesto from other herbs, like rosemary? If not, you should try it. :-)
I have not, but I have the biggest rosemary bush you'll ever want to see. It's huge. I have one bottle of olive oil with a sprig of rosemary in it. That herb is really strong. It's good with gamey meats but not everything. I'll post my rosemary bush on FB later.
Oh, and the nut substitution is a good idea. Thanks.
Yeah, the rosemary is strong, but really good in small bits. We even use it for a sandwich spread sometimes, like with grilled chicken.
We have some huge rosemary bushes, too--they grow well here in Texas.
Posted my rosemary bush on FB.
Thanks for this! I have a basil plant growing in my kitchen that is at least five years old, though the herb is an annual outside. I keep it pinched back, either by use, or just to enjoy the scent of the fresh leaves. Eager to try the microwave drying for this and other herbs.
I guess my first comment was eaten by the identity monster---
Thanks for the information on microwave drying. I am eager to try it. I do have a lovely basil plant--at least five years old--growing in a pot in my kitchen. I keep it pinched, both through use and just to enjoy the scent of the leaves.
I've never tried drying herbs like this before! Thanks -- I'm going to give this a try.
Have fun with it, Gigi! I dry a lot then combine them into custom mixes, too. The cool thing about the microwave method is that you can do little bits at a time.
Wow, Radine, that's a long time for a basil plant to live, even inside. Congratulations! I don't have any sunny windows to grow mine in, otherwise I'd try growing one inside over the winter.
Radine, your comment wasn't eaten. I have them all set for moderation, and was gone a few hours. Thanks again for your comment! Have fun with your dried herbs.
This blog was so timely! I just received a beautiful basil plant as a gift and was wondering how to save the overflow of leaves. Thanks for posting this, Bobbi! I plan to try the microwave method soon.
Hi Mary Ellen! Glad you were finally able to get your comment through. :-)
Have fun with your basil plant. It's one of our favorite herbs since it grows so well here in Texas.
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