Difference between revisions of "Dry Basil"
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| − | + | If you love the flavor of basil, drying your own basil leaves will ensure that you have flavorful herbs to cook with all year long. Basil should be harvested just before it flowers for maximum flavor. The best way to dry basil is by hanging it upside down in a warm, dry place. If you're in a hurry, though, you can dry basil in the oven or a food dehydrator instead. | |
*''Prep time: 2-3 weeks'' | *''Prep time: 2-3 weeks'' | ||
| − | [[Category:Preserving Herbs]] | + | [[Category: Preserving Herbs]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Harvesting and Trimming the Basil=== | === Harvesting and Trimming the Basil=== | ||
#Harvest the basil just before it flowers. Basil will flower after all the leaves on one stem are full-grown, but the herb loses some of its flavor after flowering occurs. The flowers appear in the middle of a bunch of leaves in a pyramid shape. Plan to prep and dry basil once all the leaves have sprouted, but before you see flowers on the stems. | #Harvest the basil just before it flowers. Basil will flower after all the leaves on one stem are full-grown, but the herb loses some of its flavor after flowering occurs. The flowers appear in the middle of a bunch of leaves in a pyramid shape. Plan to prep and dry basil once all the leaves have sprouted, but before you see flowers on the stems. | ||
| − | #*Basil leaves have the most oil just before the plant flowers, so harvesting them at this point will ensure that the dried basil has as much flavor as possible.<ref>http://www.pickyourown.org/DHbasilmint.htm</ref> | + | #*Basil leaves have the most oil just before the plant flowers, so harvesting them at this point will ensure that the dried basil has as much flavor as possible.<ref name="rf1">http://www.pickyourown.org/DHbasilmint.htm</ref> |
#*Harvest at mid-morning. This is the best time to harvest because the plant has been watered but the sun has dried the leaves. | #*Harvest at mid-morning. This is the best time to harvest because the plant has been watered but the sun has dried the leaves. | ||
#Cut basil leaves from the stems. Separate bunches of basil leaves and cut the individual leaves from the larger stem. Separating them will help you lay them flat and clean them properly. Leave a small length of stem, no more than an inch, at the bottom of each leaf to help you bundle them and tie them together. | #Cut basil leaves from the stems. Separate bunches of basil leaves and cut the individual leaves from the larger stem. Separating them will help you lay them flat and clean them properly. Leave a small length of stem, no more than an inch, at the bottom of each leaf to help you bundle them and tie them together. | ||
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#Rinse the leaves and pat them dry. Rinse them gently in water, then set them on paper towels and gently pat them dry. | #Rinse the leaves and pat them dry. Rinse them gently in water, then set them on paper towels and gently pat them dry. | ||
#Prepare your oven or food dehydrator. Basil leaves dry beautifully in either an oven set to very low heat or a food dehydrator. | #Prepare your oven or food dehydrator. Basil leaves dry beautifully in either an oven set to very low heat or a food dehydrator. | ||
| − | #*If you're using the oven, set it to the lowest temperature - {{convert|200|F}} or lower.<ref | + | #*If you're using the oven, set it to the lowest temperature - {{convert|200|F}} or lower.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*If you're using a food dehydrator, ready it for operation according to the manufacturer's instructions. | #*If you're using a food dehydrator, ready it for operation according to the manufacturer's instructions. | ||
#Spread the leaves on trays in a thin layer. Either spread them on a baking tray or the food dehydrator tray. Make sure none of the leaves overlap. They should be arranged in one thin, even layer. | #Spread the leaves on trays in a thin layer. Either spread them on a baking tray or the food dehydrator tray. Make sure none of the leaves overlap. They should be arranged in one thin, even layer. | ||
#Dry the leaves to the correct moisture content. The leaves should be dried over the course of 24-48 hours until they are no longer moist; they should crumble easily when pinched between your fingers. | #Dry the leaves to the correct moisture content. The leaves should be dried over the course of 24-48 hours until they are no longer moist; they should crumble easily when pinched between your fingers. | ||
| − | #*If you're using the oven, place the tray of leaves inside the preheated oven and let them bake for 20 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the leaves inside overnight. In the morning, they should be sufficiently dry.<ref | + | #*If you're using the oven, place the tray of leaves inside the preheated oven and let them bake for 20 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the leaves inside overnight. In the morning, they should be sufficiently dry.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*If you're using the food dehydrator, place the tray of leaves inside and operate the food dehydrator for 24-48 hours. | #*If you're using the food dehydrator, place the tray of leaves inside and operate the food dehydrator for 24-48 hours. | ||
#Store the dried leaves. You can store them whole in plastic food storage bags or bins, or crush them and store them in spice bottles. | #Store the dried leaves. You can store them whole in plastic food storage bags or bins, or crush them and store them in spice bottles. | ||
