Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
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(Text)- 21 –
Oven or Microwave:
- If drying in the oven, preheat to 180°F.
- Arrange the sprigs or individual leaves on a shallow baking sheet
and heat for 2 to 4 hours with the door open. - If drying in the microwave, arrange leaves or sprigs in one layer
between two sheets of dry paper towel. - Heat on high power for 1 to 2 minutes, and check for brittleness.
If needed, heat for an additional 30 seconds and test again.
When your herbs are completely dried, pull the leaves from the stems and store
in a sealed, airtight jar. Check your herbs regularly for a few days to make sure there’s
no remaining moisture. If you do notice any moisture, your herbs are at risk for mold.
Follow the previous steps to dry them thoroughly again.
Note that dried herbs do lose their flavor and “expire” eventually, generally after
eight months to a year. Some, like dried bay leaves, can last for up to two years. To
test them, crumble a bit in your hand and take a whiff: If the color and aroma are still
potent, they’re good to use. If the aroma is a little weak, try using more than usual to
get the flavor you like. If the aroma is very weak or nonexistent, toss them in the trash.
Or, nix the guessing game and simply refresh your dried herbs and spices every six
months to a year. Your tasty meals will be well worth it!
Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
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Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
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