Getting Smart

Decided to start dehydrating earlier this year: Basil, Parsley, and Dill.

Drying Basil (and Catnip)

I harvested some basil last night and decided to try drying it in the oven.

I preheated the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. I cut the basil into small pieces and placed it on a baking sheet.

After six minutes in the oven it looked pretty dried out. There were a few pieces that I didn't cut small enough so they felt a little damp still, but I didn't want to burn the rest so I am leaving the tray in the oven overnight to dry more before putting into a little jar.

I also hung some Catnip in the basement to dry.

Herbs! Cilantro and Basil

I decided to try my hand at perserving some basil and cilantro this past weekend. But I didn't think to take any pics until after I had preserved the cilantro. For the cilantro I just washed it and then chopped it, added it to ice cub trays and poured a little water in each cube section.

 

Next I decided to do some basil. I dipped the leaves into a bowl of water and swished it around.

Then I laid it on paper towels to try. I blotted with another paper towel on top. 

 I then added the leaves and some olive oil to my magic bullet blender and pulsed it. 

Then added it to the tray!

I then placed the tray in the freezer. Once they were frozen I placed the cilantro into one freezer bag, and the basil into another. I'll let you know how they are once I use them.