Dried Herbs


Knowing herbs as an important part of our culinary world, I tried to study them and experimented on how to grow and how to use them in my cooking. Over the years, I was able to develop a liking to certain types of herbs and so I learned also how to preserve them by drying them. My favorites are Bay leaf or laurel, thyme and oregano shown in my picture. I dry them using this Philippine made winnower we call ‘bistay’. It is made of bamboo weaved in a certain way as to have perforation holes to keep the herbs aerated. Instead of tying and drying by hanging, I just spread them in this ‘bistay’ and wait for them to be dried like paper. I like this idea because it retains the color of the leaves.
I use Bay leaf mostly in Spanish type cooking like adobo, menudo, caldereta, afritada and paella. I use thyme and oregano in Italian cooking like pasta, spaghetti and pizza.
I have other herbs in the garden like sweet basil, Thai basil, purple basil, parsley and kinchay/leaf celery but I always use them fresh in my cooking.

Similar Posts

  • Laurel/ Bay Leaf

    Laurel or Bay Leaf is an important spice I use in my recipes. I have to buy a small seedling from a nursery for this one because obviously it won’t have seeds and I know it would take a long time for me to even try to grow it from cuttings. I just have to…

  • Lemongrass

    Lemongrass is a perennial plant with grass like leaves. I like to grow them for my sometimes urge to cook Thai cuisine like Thai chicken curry, red or green. I also use lemongrass for tea by boiling the leaves instead of throwing it away after taking the bulbous part which is the main part that…

  • Vietnamese Sorrel

    A gardener friend of mine gave me this plant but I don’t know the name. He’s Vietnamese so I figure I have to look it up as a Vietnamese plant. But since I have tasted it, it reminded me of the sorrel plant I used to have in my garden. It tasted the same, sour…

  • Fennel

    Fennel is a perennial herb which belongs to the umbelliferae family which includes dill, celery, cilantro and parsley. Umbelliferae refers to how the flowers are formed. Used in ancient times as a treatment for arthritis and nausea, and as a sedative. It is also one of the three main herbs in making the alcoholic drink…

  • |

    Lavender Field

    This is a picture of the lavender field in Maui I took sometime ago when I attended the wedding of my nephew in Lahaina. It was the perfect opportunity for me to be close to my favorite herb of all, the lavender. Lavender is the most popular herb I know. Not only the flowers smell…