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Post by jeanette on Jul 11, 2005 7:20:42 GMT -6
last year all my herbs got moldy when i tried to dry them. any good methods for drying... the easier the better.
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Jul 11, 2005 16:31:34 GMT -6
Jeanette, several ways I use, I hang them, we have an Excalibar Dehydrator, and I have used, when there is alot of humidity, which slows down the process and sometimes causes mold, is The oven...preheat to 250, shut it off,spread your herbs out on a tray put them in the oven till they are dry. I also have used the microwave, this dries the herbs quicky, and much of their color,flavor is preserved. I put mine on a paper plate, between two sheets of paper towels, time varies, but go slowly, about 15-20 seconds, then check them, allow them to lay out for a few minutes, they May be drier than they appear when you first take them out of the nicrowave.
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Post by jeanette on Jul 11, 2005 17:24:12 GMT -6
i was afraid the oven or the microwave would cause them to lose potentcy... i tried it once with 'herbs' before
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Jul 11, 2005 17:40:43 GMT -6
Culinary herbs should be ok; however, In the case of medicinal herbs, they should be dried slowly, for some of the volatile oils will evaporate. The only sure fire method is loose bundles, warm/dark room, but with good air circulation...I used to fill my whole upstairs with herbs hanging!!
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Post by jeanette on Jul 12, 2005 7:07:41 GMT -6
also a reason for good ventilation. the rosemary smells really strong, i don't know what i would use that for but it's a cool plant and it did keep the green brocolli worms away i think.. it smells sort of like eucyliptus(SP) i don't think i'd want to eat it either because it is spiney.
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Jul 12, 2005 18:21:04 GMT -6
rosemary crushed and added to pork, stuffing, is out of this world, You can also take the main stem, and save them for sish ka bob skewers, Yummy!
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Post by Songbird on Jul 12, 2005 18:47:33 GMT -6
cool idea on the skewers there Phil!
I tuck some rosemary under the skin of chicken before I roast it.
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Jul 12, 2005 18:53:10 GMT -6
oh yes, that is good too although I must say, with fresh rosemary... a lil Goes a Longggggg ways!
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Post by jeanette on Jul 13, 2005 5:48:29 GMT -6
jerry's so fussy about that stuff.. i'm gonna try it though.
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Post by Willow on Nov 6, 2005 0:28:28 GMT -6
Rosemary, Salt and peper on potato wedges - Scrumptious Fresh sprigs of rosemary stuffed into slits in roast leg of lamb with garlis, salt and pepper - heaven!! I love rosemary and whats even better is it is one thing I can grow and even I havent manged to kill it yet!
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Post by Pharmer Phil on Nov 6, 2005 6:41:54 GMT -6
OOooooo That sounds GOOD willow
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2005 8:46:05 GMT -6
Culinary herbs should be ok; however, In the case of medicinal herbs, they should be dried slowly, for some of the volatile oils will evaporate. The only sure fire method is loose bundles, warm/dark room, but with good air circulation...I used to fill my whole upstairs with herbs hanging!! Phil is absolutlely correct. A dark location with good air circulation is the best way. I dry mine that way. 10 days minimum! When in a hurry there's always the "paper bag method" You will lose some color but the taste and potency should remain the same!
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Post by jeanette on Nov 7, 2005 9:26:38 GMT -6
do they get moldy in the paper bag?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2005 15:35:40 GMT -6
Haven't had it happen yet! You use 2 bags,one you put the herbs in and wait 2 days, then transfer them to the other bag, the 1st bag will be moist, the 2nd dry. Every 2 days you switch em so the bags are takin out the moisture. It can drop drying time by about 1/3!
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Post by TennOC on Jan 6, 2006 23:21:37 GMT -6
I once knew a guy that dried herbs by putting them in a paper bag, rolling the top down like it was his lunch, and putting the bag on the dashboard of a black ford pickup parked in the hot sun in the middle of the K-mart parking lot. Works pretty good, and fast too. (well so I heard) Of course you have to be near a K-mart. LOL
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Jan 7, 2006 7:24:12 GMT -6
Does it have to be a K-Mart? All the K-Marts in my area have closed down. Now all I have is Wally World. Will it work as well?
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Post by TennOC on Jan 8, 2006 10:42:55 GMT -6
Greg: You might try it. I just can't live out there on the edge, LOL.
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Jan 8, 2006 16:22:30 GMT -6
If the temperature is 100° F (37.78° C), how long should I plan parking in the Wally World parking lot. I don't want to under or over do them.
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Post by TennOC on Jan 8, 2006 17:59:55 GMT -6
Assuming you do have the required older model black ford pickup truck(required, so the paint will be dull and really solar-absorbent) and also assuming you have the thing pointed to the south, at high noon, maybe a couple hours will dry smaller fractions of an ounce. 100º outside will be maybe 130º in the cab. Greg, a dryer at your house would be better, if you're serious (I can never tell). Have fun drying anyways.
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Post by vickalee on Jan 9, 2006 16:15:06 GMT -6
I read a story in one of my garden magazines years ago about this lady out east who would fill her old Ford Falcon station wagon with all her seedlings and flats and pull the car out of her barn on warm, spring days and crack the windows. If it got cold, she pulled it back inside. Your mention of the Ford Pickup made me laugh out loud as I recalled the clever thought of doing something like that. Nothing like a rollin' cold frame. Yee hah!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2006 8:49:31 GMT -6
I read the same story!
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Post by deb65802 on Feb 22, 2006 18:53:36 GMT -6
an easy way to dry herbs or seeds...
lay your branches, flowerettes, seeds or leaves etc on cookie sheets and set oven to warm and leave them for a few hours. Check on them to turn and let dry evenly. putting them in the dehydrator works too.
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crazy1
Junior Member
Day Tripper
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Post by crazy1 on Apr 27, 2006 6:19:36 GMT -6
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Post by deb65802 on Apr 27, 2006 20:30:30 GMT -6
I have bananers in the dehydrater tonight. The house smells good. I dip them in tiny bit of brown sugar and cinnamon. hmmmmmm
gd loves them like that.
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Post by Laura on Apr 27, 2006 20:33:42 GMT -6
How long does it take to do the nanner's?? Sound's yummy!!
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Post by chickenfarmer on Apr 27, 2006 23:29:28 GMT -6
Ya need to post that recipe in the Pantry,,,,,, MMMMMM does sound good
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Post by deb65802 on Apr 28, 2006 12:16:10 GMT -6
that I will just a recipe I made up.
gd loves them.
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Post by chickenfarmer on Apr 29, 2006 8:18:22 GMT -6
Thanks Deb
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Post by deb65802 on Apr 30, 2006 6:40:20 GMT -6
I love to make my own soup seasoning and soup starters.
Today I am dehydrating onions, (purple), carrots, celery, corn out of the can, on differnt trays.
house smells great
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Post by chickenfarmer on Apr 30, 2006 10:45:29 GMT -6
You dehydrate canned goods... For the soup mix ?
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