Turning fresh herbs into a homemade spice mix is easy - and a great way to preserve flavor for later. Here’s how to dry fresh herbs from your Auk and blend them into a tasty seasoning.
Ingredients:
Fresh herbs of your choice (e.g. basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, dill, parsley) Tip: Feel free to mix several herbs together if you'd like a custom spice blend.
Equipment:
Knife or herb scissors
Baking paper
Storage jars or spice containers
Mortar and pestle (optional)
Instructions:
Harvest the herbs:
Pick herbs from your Auk, but make sure not to take more than one-third of the plant, so it can continue growing.
Prepare the herbs:
Remove any thick or woody stems. For larger herbs like rosemary or thyme, you can keep the thinner stems.
Chop or snip the herbs into smaller pieces, especially if they have large leaves like basil.
Dry the herbs:
Preheat your oven to 40–50°C (100–120°F). If your oven has a fan setting, use it.
Spread the herbs evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place the herbs in the oven with the door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape.
Let them dry for 2–4 hours, depending on the herb type. Check regularly to make sure they don’t burn.
Storing the dried herbs:
Once the herbs are completely dry, they should crumble easily between your fingers.
Use a mortar and pestle or your hands to crush them into smaller flakes or powder - depending on your preference.
Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry, dark place to maintain the best flavor.
Homemade spice blends can last up to a year, but they taste best within the first 6 months.
Tips:
Mix different herbs to create your own custom blend, for example, try thyme, oregano, and rosemary for a Mediterranean-style mix.
Keep in mind that dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor than fresh ones, so use less when substituting in recipes.
Store the mix in a nice jar and gift your Auk-made spice mix to someone special.
Mix your dried herbs with a bit of sea salt to create your own herb salt!
Now you have your own homemade spice mix to bring extra flavor to your cooking!