Friday, July 6, 2012

Drying Herbs


My parsley was overtaking my herb pot!
It's obviously very happy with its growing conditions.


However, it was definately time to cut it back
before it overtook the other herbs in the pot.


Now I know that hanging herbs is the recommended way to dry them
and I have done that in previous years
but I seem to have the most success with the herbs
making it into my cupboard when I dry them in the oven.


First I wash the herbs and remove any damaged leaves
and then I lay a single layer on parchment paper on a cookie sheet.


I then put my oven racks to the top
and set my oven to the lowest possible temperature
(which is 150F on my oven).
and leave the oven door open an inch or two.


I set my timer and turn my herbs every half hour.
They are done when the leaves are crunchy and dry.


I let them cool and then crumble them into a jar
and voila - the herbs are all done!


I usually pick my herbs when I go out to water my pots
first thing in the morning.


And have them drying in the oven
while I prepare breakfast
and get everyone out the door for the day.


I have found this system works best for me
and once you have home grown herbs
you will never want to go back.
Aren't these little herb jars the cutest?
It was a Christmas present from my parents :)


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


I am joining...
Trish's Heart and Home Journal for Heart and Home
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Our Delightful Home for Show Me What You Got Tuesdays
My 1929 Charmer for Sunday's Best

27 comments:

  1. There is nothing more wonderful that herbs from your garden.
    m.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the helpful hints on drying herbs. I've been hanging mine, but it gets a little messy. I like your solution; and those cute little jars. Next week I'm going to try your method...I've got enough sage to season 1000 batches of turkey stuffing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had the same problem when I hung mine. I have to do my sage this week but I won't have quite enough to do 1000 batches of stuffing - lol :)

      Delete
  3. nice post thanks for sharing...looking for to visit more blessings

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great way to dry them!

    And I love your little jars!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You make it look so easy! I've always wanted to grow my own herbs, but since I'm very bad with growing any thing...I've been reluctant. Perhaps I should give it a try anyway! I love your little herb jars, so cute! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is easy! I'm not normally great with growing things in the house but the herbs have been great! You should try it!

      Delete
  6. What a great idea! Your parsley looks beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brilliant idea!
    I will try this too.
    Your herb rack is indeed lovely, Alana!
    blessings..Trish

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is really neat! And yes, those are the cutest jars ever!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, I'm so glad you linked this up, Alana!
    It's a great tutorial - one I'm definitely going to do :-)We wasted far too much from our herb garden last season and I'm determined to not let that happen again!
    Have a blessed day, my friend.
    love.. Trish xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have had the same problem other years but this year this method is really working so well and my herb jars are filling up :)

      Delete
  10. I am so glad to learn how to dry my own herbs. I will definitely be giving this a try.
    Thanks, Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
  11. Interesting! I didn't know how to do this, thanks for showing us. I'm stopping by from a blog hop and am a new follower, I would love if you came to say hi and followed me back at www.iheartpears.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again next Monday. Wishing you a grand week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've preserved my herbs by freezing, but haven't attempted to dry them. So what a great idea and I am happy to learn how to. I will be trying this out this week, so many herbs growing out in the garden. I wonder if you would share this great idea over at Sunday's Best going on now. I now others would like to learn how to dry herbs!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tickled pink you shared your post with Sunday's Best. I know many will now be drying herbs thanks to you. So glad you share your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. I enjoy reading each one so much and will try to get back to each one of you. Have an amazing day!