While fresh herbs are best to cook with, they’re not always available. To preserve herbs for year-round use, try these ideas.

Drying Herbs

To dry fresh herbs, simply tie a small bunch of herbs together at the stem and hang them upside down from a wire or rack in a warm, dry room out of direct sunlight. Herbs should dry in 1-2 weeks.

Keep in mind that dried herbs are much stronger than fresh ones. You will need to adjust the amounts when cooking with dried herbs. A good rule of thumb is to use 1/3 to 1/2 of the amount called for. Dried herbs also lose their flavor after one year.

For quicker dried herbs, you can use the oven or microwave. Spread the herbs out on a tray. Then place the tray in an oven set at 100 degrees. “Bake” about 3 hours. Remember to turn the herbs for even drying. For microwaves, use low power and cook for three minutes.

Once the herbs are completely dried, store them in a clean glass jar with a tight lid.

Good drying herbs include: bay leaves, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and savory.

Freezing Herbs

Another method of preserving herbs is freezing. Freezing is a great preservation method, especially for herbs being used in a soup or stew. This method has many advantages over drying as it is easier to do, and it doesn’t affect the herb’s flavor so you can use the same amount as if it was fresh.

Before placing your herbs in the freezer, be sure to first wash and dry thoroughly. You can freeze herbs whole, or use an ice cube tray—spray the tray with non-stick spray, and then place the chopped herbs into the cubes. You don’t need to add water, but you can freeze the herbs in the trays by adding water or coconut oil to create herb cubes. Once the herb cubes are frozen solid, remove and store in airtight plastic bags or containers or in freezer jars with tight fitting lids. Label the bags or containers with the type of herb and the current date. Drop a cube into any dish that requires fresh herbs.

Good herbs to freeze include: dill, parsley, basil, chives, and mint. Homemade pesto made with fresh basil can easily be frozen and kept for later cooking.

Using Herbs in the Kitchen

Here is a brief list of popular herbs with suggestions on ways to use them when cooking.

Basil Italian, Asian, & Mediterranean dishes Tomato recipes Spaghetti sauce Pesto Lamb Fish Poultry Veal Potatoes Soups Seafood dishes, especially salmon

Mint Fruit salad Vegetables (carrots, green beans, spinach, potatoes) Jelly TeaTabouleh salad

Oregano Italian dishes Egg and cheese dishes (omelets, quiches, etc.) Vegetable soup Veal stuffing Marinated vegetables

Rosemary Meats, especially ham Halibut, salmon Rice dishes Bland soups Potato dishes Eggplant

Tarragon Fish Vinegar Salads Butter sauces (tartar, béarnaise)

Thyme Meats Vegetables Soups Eggs Stews Fish Clam chowder

Parsley Tomato sauce and Italian dishes Meatballs Tabouleh Salad Fattoush Salad