Every year I fuss over my herbs, feeding, pruning and generally loving them up until they’re gorgeous and full, then I sigh when the first unexpected frost takes them all away. I mentally kick myself for not preserving all that aromatic bounty when I had the chance.
Well, not this year! Did you know that herbs can be preserved in olive oil? And it’s EASY? It’s like having fresh herbs all winter long! I started with my gorgeous basil plant because it’s the herb I cook with most.
Wash and stack a small bunch of basil leaves.
Then roll the stack so you can get nice even cuts.
Slice to the size of your choice. You can always rough chop them a little more if needed.
Place the fresh herbs into ice cube trays. I place as much herb in each cube as I’d typically use in a dish. You can always add multiple cubes, so no need to be exact. Cover the fresh herbs with olive oil and place in the freezer until the herb/oil becomes an aromatic little ice cube.
Now you are ready to take out your frozen cubes and place into a freezer bag or food saver bag. Put back into the freezer and use cube by cube – whenever a little boost of flavor is called for. Next up? Rosemary – another personal favorite. Mmmmmmmm.
love that idea but would like to grow them inside too. for some reason I have a hard time growing them in the house. wonder if there is some advice out there on growing them inside. it would be sooo nice during the winter months to simply clip what you need.
Linda, I’d LOVE to grow herbs inside but like you, have very little luck when growing indoors. ;-(
Mine did well inside when I picked up a mini greenhouse from a local shop, it rested on the windowsill. It was wood and plastic really, and I think it kept them warm and moist. Maybe you can try something like that?
Great tip! I made a doublbe batch of pesto this weekend in my Vitamix in 30 seconds, and froze some of it in an icecube tray, and some in baggies. I never thought to do what you did with just the oil for cooking other dishes! I can’t wait to try this, so I will go pick up more trays as my herbs have taken off well this year! Thank you!
Oh pesto is my weakness! I love it! Good tip on the indoor green house. I’ll have to run to my local nursery and see if there is anything like that. Are you able to grow them like this year around, Winnie?
I had great luck with my woody herbs inside (rosemary, thyme and even parsley…) My Basil always goes to seed to quickly and to replant it was never a thought to try….winters are cold so I am thinking my windowsill would never stay warm enough for that one…