I’ve always loved cooking with fresh herbs. There’s just something so satisfying about plucking a handful of basil leaves from my garden and adding them to a pasta dish or sprinkling some fresh thyme over a roasted chicken. But what do you do when you have an abundance of herbs and you can’t possibly use them all before they go bad? That’s where drying herbs comes in. There are many methods you can use to dry herbs, but today I’m going to share with you a quick and easy method: drying herbs in the microwave.
Gather Your Herbs
The first step in drying herbs in the microwave is to gather your herbs. Whether you have a flourishing herb garden or you’ve picked up a bunch of herbs from the grocery store, make sure you have enough to fill a microwave-safe bowl. The great thing about this method is that you can dry any kind of herb, from mint to rosemary to oregano.
Wash and Dry
Once you have your herbs, give them a gentle wash to remove any dirt or debris. After washing, make sure to thoroughly dry them. Any excess moisture could interfere with the drying process, so take your time with this step. You can pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or use a salad spinner if you have one on hand.
Prepare Your Microwave-Safe Bowl
Next, take a microwave-safe bowl and line it with a few sheets of paper towel. This will help absorb any moisture released by the herbs as they dry. Make sure the paper towel covers the entire bottom of the bowl. If you’re drying different herbs, you can separate them into different bowls or use different layers of paper towel to prevent any mingling of flavors.
Arrange the Herbs
Now it’s time to arrange your herbs in the bowl. Lay them out in a single layer, making sure there’s enough space between each sprig or leaf. This will allow the microwave to evenly dry the herbs. If you’re drying larger herbs like rosemary or thyme sprigs, you can remove some of the leaves from the stems to speed up the drying process.
Microwave in Short Bursts
Once your herbs are arranged, it’s time to microwave them. Start by microwaving them in short bursts of 20 to 30 seconds. This will prevent them from overheating or burning. After each burst, check the herbs to see how dry they are. Depending on the moisture content of the herbs and the wattage of your microwave, it might take several bursts to fully dry them. Be patient and keep a close eye on them to avoid over-drying.
Final Drying and Storage
Once your herbs are dry to the touch, remove them from the microwave and let them cool completely. This will allow any remaining moisture to evaporate. Once cooled, you can crumble the dried herbs into a jar or storage container. Make sure to label them, so you know which herb is which. Store them in a cool, dark place to preserve their flavor and potency.
Drying herbs in the microwave is a quick and easy method that allows you to enjoy the flavors of your summer herb garden all year round. With just a few simple steps, you can have a pantry stocked with dried herbs that will elevate your cooking to the next level. Give it a try and see how this method can revolutionize the way you preserve your herbs.