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Questions tagged [herbs]

Questions about selecting, identifying, storing, preparing, replacing or cooking with herbs as a main ingredient.

186 questions
47
votes
19 answers

How to Store Fresh Herbs

What is the best way to store fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro? I find I have about the same luck with them whether they are left in a plastic bag or I put them in a cup of water.
Zaphoid
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6 answers

When, if ever, are dried herbs preferable to fresh herbs?

Sometimes I see a recipe call for dried herbs. If I have access to fresh herbs, should I go for fresh herbs instead? Is there any benefit in using dried herbs with some recipes?
user73
24
votes
2 answers

Do I need to rip the leaves off mint?

I enjoy putting a bunch of mint leaves into my salads, but I'm lazy and I get bored tearing the leaves off the stems to put into my salad. I am tempted to take the entire bunch of mint and chop it up, stalks and all. Can I get away with this…
D.W.
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23
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9 answers

What herbs and spices are in "Italian Seasoning"?

I'm beginning to grow my own herbs and would like to put together something similar to the "Italian Seasoning" found in the grocery store spice section. (It's an easy way to add more flavor to pasta sauce.) Is there a commonly accepted list of…
Rob Walsh
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22
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9 answers

What can I substitute for Kaffir Lime Leaves?

Kaffir Lime Leaves seem to be a common ingredient in Thai food, particularly coconut based dishes. I have never seen them in Atlanta, and I've looked (farmers market, whole foods, normal grocery, but not an Asian grocery store). What is the flavor…
yossarian
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21
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7 answers

Can I dissolve mint in water and drink it?

I like mint and sometimes put some in a cup of water. My question is can I grind the mint into a fine powder and dissolve it? Maybe if the water is warm? Usually mint like in this pic just settles on top of the water and the flavor slowly seeps…
Jack
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19
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7 answers

Difference between parsley and coriander(cilantro)?

A lot of falafel recipe calls for both chopped coriander/cilantro and parsley. Online images look the same to me. Is there a difference between the two? Would omission of one drastically change the flavor?
Dharini Chandrasekaran
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10 answers

Can I use garlic leaf for cooking?

I planted a garlic clove and now I have a nice garlic plant. The question is: Can I use the leaves to season food safely? The leaves smell like garlic and I wonder if it's okay to use them dried, like oregano and other seasoning herbs. I don't know…
Johnny
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16
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10 answers

Is there a way to safely can pesto sauce?

I grow basil and I have enough that I would like to can some pesto sauce. I have tried to find a way to can it but I keep hitting a wall. I would like to give a few cans of pesto to people for Christmas. Can anyone help me?
theresa
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15
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7 answers

When basil gets brown spots, is it still usable?

When I store basil in the fridge, sometimes it gets brown spots. Is it still usable? Is that valid also for Thai basil? Throwing it all away after 2-3 days seems such a waste. Also, how can I prevent this from happening?
Jenn
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15
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2 answers

What flavorants stand up to long cooking?

My answer to this question (link) prompted a question in my own mind. I wanted to share some tips regarding when to add herbs, spices, aromatics, etc., and had a few suggestions (bay leaves and garlic go early; vanilla and black pepper go…
Ray
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4 answers

How to wash dirty herbs in bulk

How do industrial kitchens thoroughly wash all dirt off of fresh herbs in the most efficient way possible (minimizing water use)? Example: I have 20 kilos of fresh cilantro to wash to make a tomato salsa. The cilantro is full of dirt, so I want to…
Michael Altfield
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13
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8 answers

What ingredients (available in specific regions) can I substitute for parsley?

I have a recipe that calls for fresh parsley. I have substituted other fresh herbs for their dried equivalents but I don't have fresh or dried parsley. Is there something else (ex another dried herb) that I can use instead of parsley? I know it is…
Kyra
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11 answers

Culinary uses for lavender

I have some lavender bushes in the garden. They last well and smell wonderful. I have always considered lavender a herb, but can't think how it is used in cooking. If people have any good recipes for lavender I would love to know.
Jeremy French
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13
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13 answers

What is a good use for lots of fresh cilantro?

I have a few recipes I like to make which call for fresh cilantro, but when I buy it at the store it's usually in large bunches and I have a ton left over. What's a good use for the leftovers?
Nick Meyer
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