Drying basil..help

[kippers garden]

I've grown lots of Basil so i can dry it and use over the winter...one problem...i don't know how!

Can anybody help me?

[kippers garden]

[Vez1]

I put some in an envelope and sealed, put the envelope in a warm dark place and it seemed to work. Did the same with sage and bay leaves.

[selwyn-smith]

Last year I  liquidized the Basil with a couple of table spoons of olive oil, so it made a very thick paste. Then I put it in a sealable plastic bag, and rolled it out flat with a rolling pin. I then put it on a baking try to keep it flat and froze it. when you need it you just break a bit off.  It worked really well.

[tim]

Yes, that's probably the nearest you'll get to the real thing. Certainly not drying.

[Sparkly]

would the oil work with corriandor? I have a large amount growing in the garden but ti will start to go to seed soon!

[kippers garden]

Do i just liquidise the leaves or do i use the storks as well?  After I've washed the leaves do i need to dry them before i liquidise them.

(By the way, thanks for your help.  I love this website!)

[Hyacinth]

KG, now you've moved on from drying to freezing, here's what I did last year with parsley, sweet basil, thai basil, mint & coriander. I stripped the leaves from the stalks (OK, may have left some thin stalks there, but certainly no thick ones) washed them, didn't dry them,  then put them in my blender with just enough extra water to get the motor whirring & the leaves to mince(trial & error?) Then spooned the mix into those paper cups you buy 100 for £1 at the cheapo shops? I cut the cups down to size, then froze them (uncovered). When frozen it was easy to pack them all into freezer bags & take out what I wanted. Still using last year's crop now and they've still adding taste to my sauces, etc. while this year's crops have been growing. Works for me 8)

[MrsKP]

I cut the cups down to size,

you have too much time on your hands mate.

:P

[kippers garden]

Just had a go at freezing the basil...can't wait to try it!

You all know so much, how do you do it? 

Thanks a lot all

[trojanrabbit]

Just an idea - icecube bags for the puree perhaps?