Drying basil leaves naturally is a great way to preserve their flavor in addition to the benefit of helping them last longer. To do so, start by harvesting the leaves from the stem and laying them in a single layer on a paper towel or kitchen towel.
Place the towel in a cool and dry place, out of direct sunlight. Allow the leaves to sit for 3-4 days, flipping them over every 12 hours or so. Once the leaves are fully dry and crisp to the touch, you can begin the process of removing them from the stem.
You can do this by simply rubbing or rolling the leaves between your palms and fingers. Once the leaves have been removed from the stem, you can store them in a paper bag or airtight container. To monitor the dryness, check in the paper bag or container every few days.
If you notice moisture inside the bag or container, spread the leaves back out onto a paper towel and allow them for a few more days until completely dry.
What is the way to dry fresh basil?
The best way to dry fresh basil is by air-drying. This is an easy and effective way to dry out your basil leaves and preserve their flavor. To start, wash your basil leaves in cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel or dish towel.
Then, gather the leaves into small bunches of 4-5 and tie them together with a piece of string or rubber band. Next, make sure the bunches are hung upside down in a dark and well-ventilated location.
Many people like to hang their bunches over the kitchen sink, or anywhere else in the house that gets a nice breeze. Allow the bunches to hang for 1-2 weeks, until the leaves become crisp and brittle.
Once they are dried, store them in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place. Do not cover the leaves with a lid, as this can cause them to become moldy. If stored properly, dried basil can last up to 6 months.
Do you wash fresh basil before drying?
Yes, it is important to wash fresh basil before drying. Since basil is a delicate herb, it is important to keep dirt and bacteria to a minimum, otherwise the herb will be spoiled. To properly wash fresh basil before drying, start by gently rinsing the basil leaves under cold water.
Be sure to check each individual leaf for any dirt or debris, gently rubbing each leaf in your hands or using a vegetable brush to remove any clinging bits of soil or sand. Once the leaves are clean, you can lay the basil out on a towel to air dry.
Alternatively, you can use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture. After the basil is dry, you can crumble or grind it into a powder, or store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh for extended periods of time.
How do you preserve fresh basil for later use?
Preserving fresh basil for later use is easy and requires very few materials. The most popular method of preserving basil is freezing. To freeze basil, start by carefully washing the basil leaves to remove any dirt or impurities.
Make sure the leaves are completely dry before proceeding. Once the leaves are dry, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place it in the freezer for two hours. Once frozen, remove the leaves from the tray and store them in an airtight container in the freezer.
The leaves can be used directly from the freezer without needing to thaw.
Another way to preserve basil is to make a basil oil. Begin by chopping one cup of fresh basil leaves and adding them to a blender. Add a cup of olive oil and blend until a thick paste is formed. Transfer the mixture to a jar and let it sit for 3 weeks.
Once steeped, strain the leaves from the oil, then pour the oil into a clean jar and seal it. Basil oil can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four months.
Lastly, you can preserve basil by making pesto. Combine fresh basil leaves, garlic, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until a thick paste is formed. Slowly add in a cup of olive oil while the food processor is running until the pesto reaches the desired consistency.
Transfer the pesto to an airtight jar or container, then top with a thin layer of olive oil on the surface to create an airtight seal. The pesto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to three months.
What can I do with an abundance of fresh basil?
With an abundance of fresh basil, you can create a variety of delicious dishes and drinks. Basil is great for adding flavor to salads, soups, pastas, pizzas, stir-fries, sandwiches, casseroles, and more.
You can use it to create pesto sauces, which can be used in pasta dishes, as a pizza topping, or to add flavor to vegetables. You can also use it to make a quick and easy Thai-style green curry paste.
Basil is also great for making drinks such as an Italian-inspired drink by adding it to a vodka-based Tom Collins. Additionally, basil can also be used to make homemade herbal teas, fresh juices, and lemonades.
Is it better to freeze or dry fresh basil?
When it comes to preserving fresh basil, both freezing and drying are effective methods. Drying basil leaves is a great way to preserve the flavor, but it does alter the flavor slightly and the leaves become brittle.
Freezing is a better option if you want to preserve the flavor as closely as possible. Freezing basil leaves can be done with or without blanching, though blanching helps to preserve the color and flavor.
Without blanching, the leaves should be washed and dried before being placed on a baking sheet in a single layer and then frozen solid. Once frozen, the leaves can be removed from the sheet and kept in a resealable bag.
With blanching, the leaves are dropped into boiling water for a few seconds, quickly removed and then plunged into an ice bath. The leaves should then be dried and frozen as mentioned above. Either method will allow you to have fresh basil in the months ahead.
Can you preserve basil in olive oil?
Yes, you can preserve basil in olive oil. This is a simple process that can extend the shelf life of your basil so that you can enjoy its unique flavor for weeks or even months. To preserve basil in olive oil, start by washing the basil leaves, then pat them dry to remove any excess moisture.
Next, add the basil leaves to a sterilized jar and fill it up with olive oil until the basil is completely submerged. Finally, close the jar and store it in a cool, dark place, such as the pantry or refrigerator.
The basil will be preserved and should keep for several weeks to a month, depending on the temperatures.
Can you freeze fresh basil leaves?
Yes, you can freeze fresh basil leaves. Start by rinsing the leaves in cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Shake off excess water and pat dry with a paper towel. Then, spread the leaves out on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer.
Allow the leaves to freeze completely and then transfer them to an airtight container or plastic storage bag. When ready to use them, remove the basil leaves from the container and thaw, then chop and use as desired.
To increase their shelf life, it helps to blanch the leaves before freezing. To blanch, add the fresh basil leaves to a pot of boiling water and leave them for 1-2 minutes. Immediately transfer the leaves to an ice bath.
Shake off excess water, pat dry and then follow the same freezing instructions as mentioned above.
How long will fresh basil last?
Fresh basil will typically last in the fridge for up to 10 days if stored correctly. To extend its shelf life, wrap the fresh basil leaves with a damp paper towel and place in a perforated plastic bag in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator.
Alternatively, you can also put the herb in a vase of water and place it in the fridge. To store basil for longer periods of time, you can dry or freeze it. To dry basil, strip the leaves from the stems and spread them evenly on a baking sheet before placing in the oven at the lowest setting possible, or in a food dehydrator, until they are completely dry.
To freeze basil, first, blanch the leaves by immersing them in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds, before cooling in an ice-water bath. Next, finely chop the basil and place in an ice-cube tray with a little water.
Once the cubes are completely frozen, store in a freezer-safe bag. With either method, frozen or dried basil will keep for up to 12 months.
Can basil be toxic?
Yes, basil can be toxic in some cases. While it is not poisonous when consumed in regular amounts, in large doses it can be toxic and cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
The toxic compound in basil is called a-thujone and it is found in both the plant’s leaves and seeds. Even when used in small amounts, a-thujone can cause liver damage and cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is recommended that basil be used in moderation, as an occasional seasoning, and not as an ingredient in large amounts.
Additionally, it’s important to be aware that essential oils derived from basil contain high levels of a-thujone, and these should be used with caution and not applied to the skin.
Can dried herbs mold?
Yes, dried herbs can mold. Herbs contain a lot of moisture when fresh, and even after they are dried, they still contain some moisture. Mold and fungi need water to grow and thrive, so if moisture is present, it is possible for your herbs to develop mold over time.
If you see any kind of growth on your dried herbs, it is best to throw them away and use a fresh batch. To reduce the chances of mold developing, make sure to store your herbs away from humidity, in an airtight container such as a glass jar.
Also, keep the herbs in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to protect them from excess heat.
How do you hang dried herbs?
Dried herbs can be hung in small bundles or used in decorative wreaths. It’s important to note that it’s best to hang herbs to dry in a cool, dark, and dry location. To hang them, tie a piece of string or twine around the stems of the bundle and suspend the bundle in a place that allows the herbs to hang freely.
Hang the herbs near a window or fan when possible, as the air movement can help speed up the drying process. To ensure that your herbs are completely dry before using them in recipes, let them hang for a few days and feel the leaves to make sure they are nice and brittle.
When the herbs are completely dry, store them in glass jars with tight-fitting lids, where you can enjoy their flavor and aroma for many months.
How do you pick basil leaves so it keeps growing?
It is important to pick basil leaves in a way that encourages the plant to continue growing. To do this, you will want to select the largest and most mature leaves first. Doing this will encourage the plant to produce new, fresh basil leaves, since it is no longer expending energy in older, more mature leaves.
When harvesting the older leaves, you should cut the leaves a few inches above a node—the area on the stem where the leaf or other branches grow. You should avoid pinching or pulling the leaves from the plant, as this could damage the stem and reduce the plant’s ability to produce more leaves.
Additionally, it is best to only harvest about one-third of the leaves from the plant at one time. This will help keep the basil healthy and allow it to keep producing leaves.