How to Freeze Herbs

Freezing herbs is a great way to retain color and flavor. It is particularly suitable for culinary herbs with very fine leaves or a very high moisture content, and for those that lose their taste when dried.

Good candidates for freezing include fennel and dill tips, tarragon, chives, parsley, chervil and basil. For herbs you intend to use in small quantities or add to wet dishes, such as soups, casseroles and risotto, freezing herbs into ice cubes works perfectly. Rinse fresh herbs under cold running water before chopping them finely. Place a tablespoonful of the chopped herb into each segment of an ice-cube tray, add a little water, and then place the tray in the freezer. When the cubes are frozen, transfer them into a labelled plastic bag or container, and they’ll keep for months.

Freeze whole bunches of herbs to use in larger quantities or in recipes that won’t benefit from the extra water of the melted ice. After rinsing the herbs, pat them dry with a paper towel and tie them loosely together. Place the whole bunch inside a sealed and labelled plastic bag and store it in the freezer. The frozen herbs will become quite brittle, so before you use them, just scrunch the bag with your hand to break the leaves into pieces. (Adapted by Jessy Pearl)

Source: ww.rdasia.com