2007-07-18 11:29:11 · 5 answers · asked by verndeleon 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
A food dehydrator works great.
2007-07-18 11:34:09 · answer #1 · answered by mancub222001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to hang dry them. Then I discovered microwave oven drying and never went back. Herbs stay nice and green when microwave dried. They don't turn all brown like they do when you hang dry them. And it is FAST.
Wash the herbs. Towel dry. Take the leaves off the stems. This is important since the stems will take forever and add water. Put a double thickness of paper towel on a plate. Put a handful of herbs on this. Microwave 30 seconds on high. Stir. Repeat. Do not do longer than 30 seconds. It takes about 3-5 repetitions, depending on herb type.
Special instructions for chives. Chop them to the size you want. Put a double thickness of paper towel on a plate. Prepare a second plate with another double thickness. Put a handful of chives on first plate. Microwave 30 seconds. Hold nose, open door. :-) Dump chives onto second plate paper towels. Put back, microwave again. Stir, repeat, stir, repeat. Replace first paper towels with new ones for your next batch if they're too wet to use again. Your kitchen will smell VERY chivey.
Make sure your herbs are very dry before you put them in jars. I usually do one more round in the microwave after they *seem* dry.
2007-07-18 18:41:15 · answer #2 · answered by LaWeezel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bundling method works great for large plants that you want to dry. I set up a screen (a clean old window screen) in a corner my basement where it was dark & dry - and air circulated. Spread out the smaller leaves/roots/plants (like violets, dandelions, etc) on the screen. I hung the bundled larger herbs above the screen on lengths of wooden dowels. Turn the herbs on the screen after 2 or three days to be sure they dry evenly, and don't get moldy.
2007-07-18 18:41:45 · answer #3 · answered by madmax 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cut them off at the base of the stem (close to the roots) and hang them upside down in a dark, dry place until they're dry (about a week).
Hanging them upside down with a lot of the stalk attached causes the aromatic oils to migrate toward the buds/leaves of the herb. By dark, I mean away from sunlight, which might blanch the herbs a bit.
2007-07-18 18:36:34 · answer #4 · answered by Paul in San Diego 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tie em in a bunch & hang in the sun, or nuke between paper towels
2007-07-18 18:34:17 · answer #5 · answered by lyobov 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋