The Herbal Pantry

Preserving your Herbs

IntroductionKaren Wortman

Owner, Hidden Springs FarmsOwner, Dancing Cow Creamery

Preserving Your Herbs

Herbs are simple to grow

Herbs add lovely color, textures and aromas to your garden

Preserving your own herbs gives you far superior results then using herbs that have been died and left in storage for a year or more.

Ways to Preserve

Vinegars/Oils

Butters

Dried Herbal Blends

Jellies, Flavored Honeys & Syrups

Herbal Sauces

Teas

Bath & Body

Drying Herbs

Drying is one of the simplest and most convenient way to preserve your herbs.

Hanging

Drying on Screens

Dehydrators

Freezing Herbs

Some herbs do not dry well and are better preserved by freezing

Very easy to do! Simply mince them up, toss in a bag, and off to the freezer.

Can also make herbal Ice Cubes: great for adding to soups & sauces

Freeze These HERBS:

Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Fennel, Parsely, and Sweet Cicely

Herbal Oils & Vinegars

Very Easy & Very Tasty!

Vinegars: place herbs in a large jar and pour vinegar over. Set bottle in sunny window for two weeks.

Oils: Basic recipe is 1 cup herbs to 1 quart of oil. Make sure all herbs are COMPLETELY covered with oil. Strain out herbs before using.

Herbal ButtersWho doesn’t like REAL butter?

Herbal butters are very simple. Just use unsalted butter at room temperature. Chop your herbs and

add to the softened butter. Mix well. Shape into a log or individual balls. Wrap it well and freeze. Cut off slices as you need them.

Basic Recipe:2 sticks unsalted butter

5 TBS chopped, fresh herbsSalt & Pepper to taste

Here’s a great combinations:Thyme, Chives, Oregano, and Parsley

Dried Blends

Herbal blends add interest and variety to your dishes.

Keep them in a cool, dry, dark place.

Think of the Cost Saving!

Dried Blend Ideas

Italian Seasoning1/2 Cup Oregano

1/2 Cup Basil1/4 Cup Parsley

1 TB Fennel seeds, crushed1 TB hot red pepper flakes,

(optional)

Popcorn Herbs1/4 Cup Ground Cumin

1 TB Cayenne3 TB Oregano

Poultry Herbs1 TB Marjoram2 TB Tarragon

1 TB Basil1 TB Rosemary1 tsp Paprika

Jellies, Honey, and Syrup

All of these are simply to make and store very well long term.

Play with different combinations

A great replacement for store-bought items.

Quick & easyQuick Herb Jelly

1 1/2 pint good quality apple jelly1 1/2 TB water

Sprigs of Rosemary, Lavender or other flavorful herbs

Combine jelly and water in a saucepan, heat over low heat

until jelly melts completely. Skim off foam. Put lightly bruised

herbs in a clean jar and pour hot jelly over them.

Basic Herb Honey1 cup honey

2 sprigs of your favorite herbheat honey over low heat. Place slightly bruised herbs in a clean jar. Pour warm honey over and seal. Let mellow for at

least one week before using.

Basic Syrup3 C water

1 C fresh herbs2 Cup Sugar

Make an infusion with water and herbs. Infuse over several hours.

Strain, keep liquid and add sugar. Boil and cook until

thickens. Keep refrigerated

Cup of Tea Anyone?

Man has been drinking herbal infusions for centuries.

The flowers, seeds, and even roots and bark are used to make teas.

Herbal teas have been said to have health benefits.

Easy to make, store, and use.

They say….

BasilPromotes alertness, eases motion & morning sickness

ChamomileRelaxing and aids in

digestion

Lemon BalmCounteracts stress, soothes

nerves

ThymeEases tension headaches &

sore throats

MintsRelieves Nausea and

sweetens breath

Let’s Make Some Tea

Zesty Lemon: lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Grass, and Lavender

Spicy: Lemon Verbena, Chamomile, Orange Peel, Rosemary, and Cinnamon

Therapeutic: Thyme, Sage, and Ginger

Bath & Body

Herbal remedies were once a mainstay of a family’s medical care. (Great Grandma didn’t have Walgreens!)

Balms are simple to make and take few ingredients. (Oil/Fat, herbs, and Bee’s Wax)

Custom Blend your OWN Potpourri and save TONS of money

Great for Gift-giving!