| Author | Content |
BDale60
Warren, PA
(Zone 5a)
September 04, 2007
05:49 AM Post #3935076
| Another excellent article, Jill. I've been told about the ice cube technique for freezing herbs, but haven't tried it. Your explanation and photos are helpful.
Any nieces or nephews snooping around in Aunt Jill's freezer for a popsicle might be in for a surprise...:) |
bolino
Swanton, OH
(Zone 5b)
September 04, 2007
06:36 AM Post #3935110
| Excellent! A great idea! I'll try it! |
Dea
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6a)
September 04, 2007
07:24 AM Post #3935160
| Nothing like your own herbs during the winter months !
|
melody
Benton, KY
(Zone 7a)
 September 04, 2007
09:05 AM Post #3935408
| Great article! love the ice cube tip. |
McGlory
Southeast, NE
(Zone 5a)
September 04, 2007
03:17 PM Post #3936665
| Printing out this article to go with the other two...
Thanks to Jill I MUST have an herb garden. But probably not for a couple of years. Sigh. How does she make growing and saving herbs sound like so much fun? |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
September 04, 2007
03:41 PM Post #3936737
| Such well presented suggestions! I love the combinations, and dish selection...Jill another wonderful job...thank you! |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 04, 2007
04:07 PM Post #3936807
| Thanks!
By the way, I just strained and bottled that lemon herb vinegar from the photo... and it's wonderful! I used lemon verbena, lemon basil, lemon thyme, and a few strips of lemon zest. It makes a wonderful vinaigrette (no need for added lemon juice, LOL). |
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
September 04, 2007
04:24 PM Post #3936864
| I have a ton of lemon basil, and wasn't really sure what to do with it, because I don't care for the texture, your vinegar sounds like a perfect solution! I found it odd that the scratchiness stays with it even in cooking...do you notice this or am I doing something bizarre? |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 04, 2007
04:33 PM Post #3936894
| I've mostly used lemon basil fresh in salads, or added it to marinades... mine doesn't seem to have a scratchy texture, so I wonder if it's just the variety you're using? I've been growing it from saved seed for several years now, so if mine had a specific variety name, I've long since lost track of it.
You got me curious, so I went out just now and nibbled a leaf to double-check -- no scratchiness. Are you using just the younger leaves pinched from the tops of the stems? The foliage further down on the plant does seem a bit stiff.
|
Islandshari
Kwajalein
Marshall Islands
(Zone 11)
September 04, 2007
04:48 PM Post #3936946
| Mine just came from a seed pack - white with no info other than "Lemon Basil"...it smells divine in the garden, but has very toothy edges and is scratchy and almost what you might call fuzzy leaves. Used some in a lemon pepper sauce once, and it stayed that way even though cooked! Never got limp or soft. Serves me right for planting "bargain" seeds. lol ! I've pretty much just decided to enjoy it in the garden, not the kitchen. Ooops sorry to have absconded with your fan thread...and now back to our regularly scheduled programming... |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 04, 2007
07:59 PM Post #3937614
| Your plant sounds more like Lemon Balm to me... maybe your seeds were mislabeled. Remind me this fall/winter, and I'll set you up with the real thing. :-) |
bluekat76
Ijamsville, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 04, 2007
08:52 PM Post #3937847
| Another great article Jill! |
Foxnfirefly
Falls Church, VA
(Zone 7b)
September 06, 2007
09:44 PM Post #3945781
| Critter,
This is a great read! I have been making frozen pesto cubes for some time but never ever thought of freezing other herbs to preserve them. Your article is well done and very informative! I, too, like the herb combo tips. Thanks!
|
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 06, 2007
10:59 PM Post #3946053
| Thanks! I had a lot of fun writing these, too.
You'll love having more herbs in the freezer this winter. :-)
BTW, this is off-topic (not to mention last minute), but there's a DG gathering and plant swap at my place this Saturday... check out the thread in the mid-Atlantic forum for more information... |
Foxnfirefly
Falls Church, VA
(Zone 7b)
September 07, 2007
07:09 PM Post #3948858
| I am very interested and wanted to go, but I have to work overtime this weekend so I will have to miss this one, sad to say. I am thrilled to find other gardeners in the area such as you who share my interests!! I really overlooked the regional section until now. Thank you so much for directing me there.
My garden is small at the moment and I don't have enough plants to swap at this time, either. Are you planning a swap in the Spring? I will save the Taxas Sage clump for you regardless and get it to you somehow. Frederick is about an hour's drive north from Falls Church, VA. |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 07, 2007
08:41 PM Post #3949112
| Thanks! I'm sure we'll manage to get together at some point. I'm sorry you have to work this weekend rather than play with us (but overtime pay buys fall bulbs, right? LOL). I'm sure we'll have a spring swap, since the one at Hart's was such a blast this spring... and I'm thinking we might just have a midwinter gathering here, too, like the Sweetheart's Tea I hosted a couple of years ago... in fact, another tea party sounds like just the thing! I'll have to think of something to make with rose geranium sugar...
The regional forums are wonderful for great local info and friendly chatting. And it's cool to think that you might get to see in person some of the folks you "meet" there! |
PatriciaDiane
Fulton, AR
September 11, 2007
06:25 PM Post #3963962
| Herbs are so fun, so useful, so eyecatching in plated presentations as garnishes, so healthy and uplifting (have you noticed how people grin when they are smelling mints, lavenders,etc)...and on and on and on. They are just great! I am helping with an Open House where I work at an herb farm and we are having a food tasting (herbs have been encorporated into each recipe) and a selection of herbal teas to promote the farm. I have found that so many recipes are just made better by the adding of an herb or two. Your idea of freezing herbs in ice trays will give me plenty herbs to cook with this winter. |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 11, 2007
06:31 PM Post #3963977
| You're right, there's something about sniffing (and nibbling) around an herb garden (or pot) that makes people smile. I had some DGers over on Saturday who about swooned over the lavender in front -- even though it's pretty well bloomed out! |
Foxnfirefly
Falls Church, VA
(Zone 7b)
September 11, 2007
09:21 PM Post #3964639
| Did you say tea party?? That would be so neat--especially in mid-winter which we all associate with boredom. Now laughter and tea on a gloomy day is something to look forward to.
Yes--I worked overtime again tonight. More bulb money it is and I'm looking for some new tulips and daffodils for a spring display. Maybe some alliums and more lilies, as well.
For next year's herb garden, I am want a "sensation" theme. I am looking for those that have fragrance, feel weird, or look out of this world. For fragrance, lavender comes to mind, and evening primrose. Now for touch...lamb's ears are the only thing I can think of. Do you know another?
|
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 11, 2007
11:25 PM Post #3965150
| I had a tea party here the year before last and missed doing one last year... so yes, I think another tea party is in order! Groundhog's Day seems like a propitious day... |
Brightfire
Peoria, IL
September 13, 2007
01:48 PM Post #3970991
| Critter you are amazing!!! So helpful in your response to the Iris questions I had and now you just opened up this whole new creative adventure with herbs for me, I grow them and well, but was quite unhappy with them dried.
The last couple of seasons, I have let them flower as the beauty surpassed the winter value of a dried harvest. Now I see the potential for lovely X-mas gifts and fresh pasta additions with snow on the ground. Love it and thanks so much!!! |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
September 13, 2007
02:01 PM Post #3971037
| I know what you mean... I've tried drying them, and I've concluded that Penzey's just does a much better job than I do! (That's my favorite mail order company for herbs and spices... I have no connection other than being a satisfied customer... it's worth getting their catalog just for the recipes and suggestions on every page!) |
BDale60
Warren, PA
(Zone 5a)
September 16, 2007
05:57 AM Post #3980668
| Same here with Penzey's spices, but nothing compares to the fresh herbs from the garden when in season. The best of both worlds. |
nhbergh
Manchester, MA
August 07, 2008
04:14 PM Post #5382737
| Having read a number of suggestions about freezing basil, I have yet to read the one that I stumbled upon some years ago. It is by far the simplest I have seen. I just cut the leaves off the stems and gently put the leaves in freezer bags. That's it. Like Jill, I don't use pesticides so I don't wash the leaves.
When I want to make pesto months later, I take out the leaves, speedily put them in the food processor before they start to thaw and wilt. They turn into crumbles of sweet smelling basil. Then I make the pesto. The cold of the leaves turns the olive oil cloudy, but it thaws fast.
I put up a webpage to explain this technique -- spread the word! http://www.hardenberghdesign.com/basil.html
nhbergh |
critterologist
Frederick, MD
(Zone 6b)
August 07, 2008
06:32 PM Post #5383260
| quoted from the article, "Some people simply put clean, dry herb leaves into freezer bags and take out whatever amount they need for a recipe."
:-)
It works, but I think freezing with oil helps preserve more of the fresh flavors. Why not make your pesto with fresh basil and then freeze the pesto? Then again, if you've got a method you're happy with -- stick with it! |
