posted
I have sweet basil and cinnamon basil planted. Its very ready for me to pull a few leafs a dry them. My question is will putting the leafs in my dehyrdrator dry them out to fast or will it be ok to use it? What ya think?
posted
They are better fresh. It's best to dry them slowly. If you want to use a dehydrator, keep an eye on them and don't over do it.
* * * * Currently listening to: Vince Guaraldi Trio -- A Charlie Brown Christmas. Adult and contemporary but evocative of youth and innocence, a must own CD. Plants: 191 | From: S/W Michigan | Registered: Jun 2005
| Seeded: 64.136.26.235
quote:Originally posted by mearow: I have sweet basil and cinnamon basil planted. Its very ready for me to pull a few leafs a dry them. My question is will putting the leafs in my dehyrdrator dry them out to fast or will it be ok to use it? What ya think?
posted
Hello, I use a great deal of Basil for cooking, Pessto's, Marinara, home made sauces.. Brushetta's etc...
If I have to dry out my Basil, It is late in the fall,to winter, and I only* do it because the weather in Ontario is no longer warm enough to keep my potted plants, otherwise fresh basil is always the best...
still I just use my microwave to dry it out, you have to keep an eye on it, I use the micro wave also for my parsley...
Plants: 17 | From: Ontario | Registered: Jun 2005
| Seeded: 24.235.155.70
posted
Poetprose, I usually keep a pot of basil plants in my kitchen they usually stay with me all year. Until the produce flowers faster than I can catch them anyway.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.75.63
quote:Originally posted by tkhooper: Poetprose, I usually keep a pot of basil plants in my kitchen they usually stay with me all year. Until the produce flowers faster than I can catch them anyway.
posted
Is it the draft thing? Builders often put heat registers right below the windows and the plants hate it. If you can create a clear plastic tent or wall to a height above that of the plant you might be able to keep the basil going. Needless to say my apartment isn't a decorators dream, unless they are having a nightmare lol.
I live alone so cooking is something I do rarely anymore. I used to and still do certain sauces but not very often. Believe it or not I think I still plant herbs just because they have become like friends and I would miss not having the basil there in the winter.
* * * * Plants: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
| Seeded: 4.249.51.198
posted
I have many basil plants..it is one of my favorite herbs. Although you can't beat fresh basil in salads,vinegettes, roasts and some different dishes...I prefer dries basil in my sauces. I just think the dried basil has a stronger flavor. My favorite is the African Blue Basil. I also dry several of my herbs and package them for Christmas presents. My family loves getting the dried herbs from my garden every year.
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 162.40.164.126
posted
Wees...is the purple one a Red Rueben Basil? I had one last year and really liked it but couldn't find one this year...they are strikingly pretty in the garden.
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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** *** Plants: 7034 | From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 67.141.104.249
posted
I usually cut the tops off my basil plant, wrap a piece of tring aroung the stalks and hang it upside down in my kitchen...it looks pretty and you have dried basil in a while
* * * * "You come to nature with all her theories, and she knocks them all flat." Pierre Auguste Renoir Plants: 19 | From: Connecticut | Registered: Jul 2005
| Seeded: 69.182.92.204
posted
I LOVE Basil...it is very therapeutic for me...I always grow a bush type basil in a pot next to the door so I can rub against it for the scent, I think if I could only grow one thing that would be it...As far as drying...I would tie it in bundles like Ceilteach suggested...close hangers work well if you don't have a drying rack and a cloths pin will hold the string the bundle is tried with to the cloths hanger. But I also agree fresh is always better!!!
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