Parsley leaves can be used to flavor a variety of dishes, and can be stored for up to a year if properly dried and stored. If you have a lot of parsley that you don't know what to use, read on to find out how to dry and preserve it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Drying Parsley in the Oven
Step 1. Wash the fresh parsley in cold water
Pick off the stems and separate the tender leaves then chop the parsley into about 1/4-inch pieces. Then, soak the parsley in boiling water for 20 to 30 seconds.
Step 2. Place the brown paper on the baking sheet
Arrange the soaked parsley on the baking sheet. Try to make them even and evenly spaced from each other, smoothing out any large clumps caused by the parsley sticking together.
Step 3. Put the pan in the oven
Turn on the oven to the lowest possible temperature. The best time to dry parsley in the oven is after the oven has been turned off after using it for baking other dishes. Otherwise, it will take longer to warm and dry the parsley.
Step 4. Dry the parsley for 2 - 4 hours
The actual length of time it will take will vary widely because it depends on the relative humidity and altitude where you live. Watch the parsley in the oven because sometimes the parsley will dry out too quickly. Your parsley is ready if it crumbles easily on your fingers.
Step 5. Remove from oven
Mash the parsley with your hands or with a pestle, and discard any remaining stems.
Step 6. Place the finely dried parsley in a bowl
Store in a dark, dry place or even in the freezer. Parsley dried in this way can be used for a long time, but the taste will start to wear off after a few months.
Method 2 of 3: Air Drying
Step 1. Pick the parsley in the morning
If you're going to air dry parsley, be sure to get the softest parsley, which is usually available in the morning, after the morning dew has completely evaporated.
There is no need to wash the parsley if you pick it. The leaves you are going to dry should be as dry as possible from the start
Step 2. Gather the parsley by tying it
Don't tie it too tightly, leave it a little loose so air can enter around the leaf as it dries. You can make the knot as big as your hand or smaller if you want. Make sure not to tie it too tightly.
Step 3. Secure the knot with a rubber band or string
Rubber bands can be used very easily if your tie is large. Tie it at the stem, leaving the leaf part open while it dries.
Step 4. Place the parsley bundle in a brown paper bag
Storing the parsley bundles like this will keep them from being exposed to dust and direct sunlight that would spoil the color of the parsley. Punch a hole in the bag to allow air to flow freely so the parsley can dry well.
- Store paper bags in a cool, dry room with good air circulation. Some good storage methods include in a drying rack or an old clothes rack.
- Alternatively, you can leave the parsley without putting it in a bag tying it with a strong string and then hanging it in your kitchen to dry. Hang the parsley bundles upside down for a better display, also with equally effective drying.
Step 5. Remove the parsley bundles after two weeks
Parsley dries perfectly when easily crushed with your fingers. Spread the parsley bundles on a cutting board or parchment paper, and crush the leaves, then remove the stems.
Step 6. Store parsley in an airtight container
Use an old spice container to store your parsley, store it in a glass container or other container. Store in a dry and cool place in your kitchen.
Method 3 of 3: Removing Water from Parsley
Step 1. Consider using a food dehydrator
While they may be expensive, dehydrators can offer lower heat and better drying than ovens. If you want to dry parsley quickly, this method will be very effective for you.
Usually, food dehydrators have a heat option for drying condiments. Clean the parsley as if you were going to dry it in the oven. Spread in a drying pan, and follow the directions for using your dehydrator
Step 2. Use sunlight
All you need to dry parsley is a fairly hot day with no clouds and a drying pan. You have to make sure the air isn't too humid or the parsley won't dry well.
- You can use the old door wire as a drying rack to separate the parsley from the drying pan. Cut the old door wire so it matches the size of the pan, and place the parsley on top so that air can flow evenly around the parsley as it dries in the sun.
- Turn the parsley throughout the day so that it dries evenly on both sides. The time it takes for the parsley to dry completely will vary depending on where you live and how much sun you have available, usually between a few days or even as little as half a day. Watch your parsley so you can bring it in as soon as it turns black and to avoid dew.
Step 3. Using the microwave
You can dry parsley in the microwave, but your parsley will scorch very easily this way, and it will be difficult to dry evenly (as with most microwaved dishes). If you want to use the microwave to dry the parsley, spread your parsley on a paper plate in a single layer, and place it in the microwave for a minute or two at a time. Watch as you dry the parsley. If it's getting dark or smoky, take it out of the microwave immediately.
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