The traditional method of hanging fresh herbs to dry can take days, if not weeks. Dried herbs can be ground into powder quickly. Carefully lay out the parsley leaves on a clean paper towel. Place in microwave in a single layer and microwave on full power for 30 seconds. The leaves will fall right off the stems as they dry. Pop into the microwave oven for 1 minute on high heat setting. This video demonstrates drying parsley in the microwave. Microwave on high and dry for 2 to 3 minutes per cup. You have your freshly harvested herb, preserved and ready for use. If you have a food dehydrator, you can use it to dry parsley and other herbs. First, make some fresh parsley pasta, then make some parsley tea, and whatever is left, dry it! Lay herbs out flat on a microwave safe plate and microwave on high for 2 minutes. How is that dehydration project different than what you did here? Lay out the herbs in a single layer on a piece of paper and microwave at full power for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, depending on the herb. Hi, I'm Jill McKeever, mother of Simple Daily Recipes food blog. [MUSIC] I'm gonna microwave the herbs in 20 Respective intervals, flipping them and checking each time until they're perfectly dried. Don’t let that parsley go to waste. Aside from retaining the herb’s lush color, potency, aroma, and flavor, here are some other reasons why you should go for a microwave oven to dry your precious herbs. This is actually a really good idea. Start by laying the herb foliage in a single layer on a paper towel, either on the oven rack or on the glass insert. Since the microwave targets and heats water molecules, we wondered if we could use it to drive off moisture from herbs more quickly. If you're going to air dry parsley, you want to make … Perhaps the most common way of preserving herbs, especially in the Spring is by drying them and getting rid of any moisture that bacteria could thrive in. Place the dried parsley in the spice jar and seal it with the lid (if you have a lot, a mason jar works great, too!). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Share your experience with us by writing in the comments section below! Put the parsley on the towel in a single layer. So, what exactly do you do to preserve your herb’s freshness? Lay out Parsley bunches in a single layer on the paper towel, then add another paper towel on top. Let us count the ways. Make sure your oven rack is in the middle of the oven. The only things you need to master how to dry parsley from your garden using this technique are the following: a microwave oven, a couple of sheets of paper towels, and your fresh herbs. This can also be applied to herbs of any kind. This should remain potent for several months. Start by rinsing your fresh herbs thoroughly. Some herbs are mostly … Wash the herbs in cool water, swishing them around to remove any dirt or... Lay the cleaned herb leaves in a single layer on a microwaveable plate. After the dried herbs have cooled, store them in air-tight containers away from heat and light. The microwave oven can effectively dry out herbs in a span of a few minutes; in contrast, a conventional oven dries out herbs over the course of an hour or more. Cover the leaves with another paper towel and microwave on high for 1 minute. Drying parsley in the oven Wash fresh parsley using cold water. If you want to get the most out of your fresh produce and multi-purpose herbs, you must know one of the most basic storage culinary techniques: how to dry parsley from your garden using a microwave oven. Start by laying the herb foliage in a single layer on a paper towel, either on the oven rack or on the glass insert. It’s best to pick and prepare one variety of herb for drying at a time.Discard any damaged leaves. Cover a microwave-safe plate with a paper towel. Cover the leaves with another paper towel and microwave on high for 1 minute. The only problem with drying herbs is that it loses its aroma, flavor, texture, and color. It's best to do it in the morning just after the dew has evaporated and before the sun gets too strong - this is a lovely job. Over a bowl, gently rub the stems so the leaves fall off. In fact, it is as simple as sliding the tray in the microwave, listen to beep beep twice and voila! If you’re looking up on how to dry parsley from the garden, you may want to try out this technique first. Infusing our dishes with the right combination of herbs can easily transform them into a culinary work of art. Turn on the microwave. Several studies have concluded that microwave drying preserves the color and the flavor of herbs better than the traditional method of air-drying. If herbs are not dry, microwave … Take the herb leaves off the stem. It's very easy and fast. Select herbs that are fresh, still green and ... 2. Microwave 1 minute, then in 15 second increments until dry. Place the clean and dry leaves of your herb in a single layer on the plate. Powdered herbs make for some of the best seasonings and rubs there are. You can dry parsley in the microwave in 2 minutes. Strip large-leaved herbs, such as sage and mint, from their stalks. I dig cooking, writing, photography and gardening. You’ll have to perform a little bit of experimentation for this process since power outputs in microwave ovens vary. However, this culinary method is not without a few struggles. How to dry parsley from the garden? The process works without them, but they will help things dry quickly and evenly as they wick away water. The Best Herbs for Drying . You should also look up at least one or two other drying techniques and report on those using the same herbs as you did in the microwave project. All rights reserved. It's recommended that you choose the herbs before they flower. You are done. Let us now proceed: Other Advantages of Drying Herbs Using a Microwave Oven. The plant tissue heats up a little because of the contact with the water, but the water absorbs most of the heat. Then check the herbs, and if they are still soft, keep testing at 20- to 30-second intervals. She has a wonderful site for just about anything you want to know about gardening … and as shown above, what to do with some of the things you grow there. If you’re a busy person, and you don’t really have much time to preserve some herbs, this is the quickest solution available. Drying in a Dehydrator. Simply tie up the stems with string and hang upside down in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight. The outer edge of the plate is the hottest part so lay out the thicker... Get another paper towel and put it on top of the parsley. Herbs commonly dried in the microwave are parsley, celery leaves, chives, thyme and sage. [MUSIC] So, I've been checking my herbs after each interval. The caveat to microwave drying is that small home microwaves are notoriously inconsistent in power levels and heat temperatures resulting in a less than desirable outcome. 3. Microwave drying is a bit easier on plant tissue than oven drying, because the water in the herb leaves absorbs more of the energy than the plant tissue does. If you’re drying less hardy herbs, like cilantro or parsley, separate the leaves from the stems and discard the stems. Cover the leaves with a second paper towel. Keeps well for several months. Most herbs will take around 1 minute initially, followed by a few 20 second bursts until completely dry. Which took the least time and which provided the best tasting herbs after the dried ones were soaked in water to make them soft again? In a conventional oven, all the plant material gets hot, not just the water. 3. All it takes is two very simple steps to dry herbs in the microwave: Make sure the herbs are squeaky clean first. Pat dry with a paper towel and pick out the stems and dead leaves. After all, who here isn’t eager to try out a new savory and aromatic dining experience– a fresh new take on otherwise bland and redundant food? Microwave Drying. Since water is the most profuse polar molecule in whatever food we eat, microwaves target these molecules most– not heating the food entirely, but the water it contains. That's right, you can dry herbs in a microwave and it's pretty easy to do! For my 900-watt microwave, it took 45 to 60-seconds to dry parsley. (The paper toweling will help wick away the moisture as you are drying the herbs). Drying herbs in the microwave. Air drying works best with herbs that do not have a high moisture content, like bay, dill, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, summer savory, and thyme. Place herbs in a single layer on a paper towel and cover with a second paper towel. Then check the herbs, and if they are still soft, keep testing at 20- to 30-second intervals. It’s important to harvest herbs at the right time. 1. However, extreme caution should be used when microwave drying because of the risk of not only scorching the herbs but also starting a fire and damaging the microwave. Drying Parsley in the Microwave. Which method was the easiest? We’re not only talking about parsley here. Because of this interesting mechanism, the bright pigments and savory compounds get left behind, mostly unscathed. How to dry herbs in the microwave. Your email address will not be published. Once I have dried and prepared the parsley, I just refill the spice jars. Unlike drying herbs using a traditional oven, you don’t have to preheat or treat the microwave to make a few batches of dried herbs, saving you lots of time and effort. This was a guest post by Lucy, founder of GardenAmbition.com. Microwave ovens differ in power output, so you'll have to experiment. The thing about microwaves is that they zero in on moisture while they’re heating. This is one of the fastest and the most effective way to dry the parsley leaves and yet retain its natural color. There’s nothing else to it, not even patience because it can be achieved in a few minutes or less. Air-Drying Parsley Pick the parsley in the morning. We all know that herbs are best served fresh. Microwave-dried herbs retain excellent color and potency. Definitely giving the old microwave a try this year. Drying Parsley in a Microwave . If herbs need to be rinsed, make sure all the excess water is removed; otherwise, they will cook, not dry in the microwave. If the parsley is muddy, then wipe it with a dry cloth and then place the sprigs on a microwave proof plate. Be as descriptive as you can. Homemade dried parsley is easy to make, and will last for years in your pantry. Remove the tender leaves from the woody stems. You'll only find simple family foods here, nothing too weird, only the good stuff. A good way to keep it fresh and ideal for cocktails and syrups would be by blanching. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds increments. You have 3 ways to dry parsley: dry in the oven (this post) dry parsley in the microwave; dry parsley … If you’re drying hardier herbs, like rosemary, you can skip this step. It's very easy to dry herbs using the microwave; it's almost magical. Required fields are marked *, How to Dry Parsley from the Garden Using a Microwave Oven. They should be picked before the flowers develop. That way, you can really take in its flavor and aroma. Drying parsley in the microwave Cover the microwave glass plate with a paper towel. Among all methods of drying parsley and other herbs, using the microwave generates the best results, producing the brightest color and freshest flavor. 5 Reasons Science Projects Are More Fun Than Reading A Book. … After reading this article, we bet you’re going for the kitchen to finally try out this super quick and easy technique to preserve your favorite herbs and spices. Lay them out on a paper towel and pat them dry. Air Drying: Sturdier herbs are the easiest to dry and can be tied in small bundles and air dried indoors for best color and flavor. Repeat the process until the parsley comes out completely dry. Be sure to take in-process photos, then write down your results and explain what just happened. Since the microwave takes away the herb’s entire water content, it comes out very dry and brittle, but with almost the same aroma and flavor, making it easy to grind into powder. Arrange the herb leaves on the paper towel so that they are not touching. Place another piece of paper toweling over the top. Adding a dash of herbs to our favorite dishes is a common practice in the kitchen. How did they smell, how did they look, how did they taste, etc. To retain the best flavor of these herbs, you'll either need to allow them to dry naturally or use a food dehydrator. Start by laying the herb foliage in a single layer on a paper towel, either on the oven rack or on the glass insert. Delicate herbs will take 40 seconds followed by a few 20 second bursts until completely dry. I grow my own herbs year-round in an indoor garden, but drying them in the winter is always a bit of a pain. Given this is a science project site, you can easily turn what Lucy wrote here into a “Drying Herbs” science project by gathering different types of herbs and following her microwave instructions above. You want the herbs to be as dry as possible when they go into the oven. Place herbs on an a microwave safe dish, then microwave them on high power. The water in the leaves gets hot and evaporates - that's why the paper towels get damp during the drying process- leaving drying plant tissue behind. Remove any discolored herb or rotten leaves. If you do find yourself in this tricky situation, you may want to call up a few friends and turn a lonely dinner into a party! 1 – Put a couple layers of paper toweling on a microwave-safe plate, or on a paper plate. How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave – Step by Step . Drying the herbs indoors is the most popular method, especially for low-moisture leaves such rosemary and thyme, because you retain most of the important qualities such as flavour, smell and colour.. Give the leaves a rough chop. Parsley, basil and celery leaves dry well in some microwave ovens with a wattage rating of 1,000 or less. Microwave ovens can dry herbs quickly. Your email address will not be published. Harvest on warm, dry mornings after the dew has evaporated. Remove parsley from the microwave. How to Dry Herbs in the Microwave. Wash the herbs and make sure they are clean. After harvesting fresh parsley from your garden (or gathering any store-bought fresh parsley), use your scissors or gardening shears to … Brush or rinse off any dirt and blot the leaves dry with paper towels Arrange your herbs on a lined baking sheet. Then check the herbs, and if they are still soft, keep testing at 20- to 30-second intervals. First, … Microwave-dried herbs retain excellent color and potency. How to dry. When the parsley is completely dry, let it cool, and store in an airtight container, away from light, heat, and moisture. Copyright 2016, SimpleDailyRecipes.com. Despite being the quickest method, drying herbs in a microwave isn’t as simple as sticking herbs in a microwave and letting it run. But leave small, feathery herbs, like dill and fennel, on the stalks until drying is complete.Tarragon, bay, mint, lemo… Let’s learn more about it in the following sections. Carefully lay out the leaves, slide them into the microwave, nuke, beeeep, beeeep, beeeep... VOILA! Heat Herbs: Place herbs on a paper towel on a plate, or on a paper plate if you have one handy. Keep track of your results with each kind of herb. Pop into the microwave oven for 1 minute on high heat setting. Steps. Pick your parsley before it flowers. Check every 30 seconds, rotating the herbs. Note your results for each herb for future use. I laid the larger, thicker leaves around the outer edge, which is the hottest part of the microwave. This emits long electromagnetic radiation waves that flip polar molecules trapped inside your food back and forth. If you really have to dry your herbs, there are proper ways to get this done. Find recipes on the internet or a cookbook that uses the herbs you have lying around. Step 1. Rinse the herbs. Then take a look at the dehydrated potato project we did earlier. Microwave-dried herbs retain excellent color and potency. When finished with the last drying technique, you should write your conclusions. I put down one of my oven mats as a liner, which worked wonderfull… {mine are usually dried out and ready after a total of 2 minutes} If you have a larger bundle of parsley you are microwaving, you may need to add a little extra time. Dried herbs. Pick out the herbs that you want. Drying Fresh Herbs in a Flash. Take the parsley out and check if these are still soft. Remove from microwave and check. [Grins, for the parents and teachers … ] Herbs can also be served in cocktails, in case you’re wondering. Cover the leaves with another paper towel and microwave on high for 1 minute. Whether you get your herbs from the grocery store or your own garden or grow tent, they don’t have a long shelf life. 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