As the season changes and we find ourselves coming into autumn, it means that the temperatures will dip and for those who grow things, the frost will come and end that season. I am blessed with such a neighbor who gifted me with her abundance of herbs. She reached out to me as our weather changed to ask if I would like to have some of her herbs. I gave her an outstanding and instant “YES”. Hanging on the back of my fence were 8 bags, each containing a little herbal treasure. So here is a walk through her herbal garden from the view of my fence and what I did with this abundance.
I will review the herb, some of its traits, how I preserved them, and what might be some uses and recipes. Many of these herbs are not only delicious but also have medicinal uses. In this post, I will be focusing on the culinary uses of these herbs.
What I was gifted
8 herbs in all. Some in huge bunches and some in tender samples, but all something I wanted to use and preserve somehow.
- Basil
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Chives
- Marjoram
- Thyme
- Lemon Balm
- Mint
Basil
This was the most abundant herb I was gifted. And knowing how quickly this herb can go bad, I knew I wanted to preserve it for future use.
PRESERVING: I removed the basil from the stems and laid them out on a baking sheet and froze them. Once frozen, I stacked the leaves and placed them in a freezer bag. Of course you can dry as well.
USES: My plan is to make pesto – which will also go back into my freezer. But taking a little turn on the traditional pesto, I am going to use pecans instead of pine nuts. Here’s the recipe I will be trying – Pecan Pesto https://kicking-carbs.com/keto-pesto/
Oregano
The warm, balsamic and aromatic flavor of oregano makes it the perfect addition to Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines. This popular herb whose name means “mountain joy” is available throughout the year.
PRESERVING: Fresh oregano should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel. It may also be frozen, either whole or chopped, in airtight containers. You can freeze the oregano in ice cube trays covered with either water or stock that can be added when preparing soups or stews. I chose to dry mine.
USES: Oregano is perfect for homemade pesto, grilled seafood, and roasted chicken. Pesto? Who knew and I am intrigued.
Here’s a recipe for using fresh oregano with fish. It looks amazing. https://bonaippetit.com/pan-fried-cod-with-oregano-and-parsley-dressing/
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs. It is hearty and has a very characteristic aroma and is possibly one of the most powerfully aromatic herbs in my kitchen. Its classic taste has a very pronounced lemon-pine flavor, yet it is also woodsy and peppery at the same time. The taste is piney, but also bitter and somewhat astringent.
PRESERVING: Its easy to dry rosemary by hanging it in bunches or in a dehydrator. Then stripping it off the stems and storing in an air-tight container. But I think my favorite way is to strip the needles off the stems, place them in an ice cube tray, cover with olive oil and freeze. I always have rosemary in my freezer in this manner.
USES: A common staple in Italian cooking, rosemary is also used in many other dishes. Fresh or dried leaves pair beautifully with root vegetables, pasta, sauces, fresh cheeses, breads, poultry, pork and lamb. Whole rosemary can be used to infuse oil, sauces and even syrups.
Here is one of my favorite Rosemary recipes, which includes instructions on how to store Rosemary in olive oil in the freezer. https://teastheseason3.com/kristens-grilled-chicken-marinade/
Chives
Chives are related to onions, leeks, and garlic. They have a delicate onion flavor that is complemented by hints of garlic.
PRESERVING: Fresh chives are the best to use in cooking. However I dried the chives using a dehydrator since I had an abundance. Once dry, chop up, store in an air-tight container.
USES: Chives are popular in French cuisine and used in French omelets and cheese soufflés. In the U.S., chives are known to pair well with seafood and are a popular garnish for many recipes, adding that “pop” of color. Also used in dips and in some baking.
A great recipe for Cheese and Chive Sourdough Biscuit. https://leelalicious.com/cheese-and-chive-sourdough-biscuits/
Marjoram
Marjoram is a strong herb and used for recipes with hearty meats and stews. Closely related to oregano but milder in flavor, marjoram tastes similar to thyme with a sweeter and stronger scent.
PRESERVING: Like most of these herbs, you can use fresh, freeze, or dry your marjoram. I dried the sample that I had.
USES: It is traditionally partnered with meat, particularly lamb, veal, beef, pork and chicken but goes just as well with vegetables or seafood.
Here’s a simple recipe using your slow cooker and is a rich hearty roast using marjoram. https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/italian-red-wine-roast-beef/
Thyme
Thyme is one of my favorite herbs. I love the characteristic taste that it brings to a dish. Thyme is part of the mint family and has flavors of clove and mint.
PRESERVING: If I am not using fresh thyme, I will dry thyme in bundles or in a dehydrator. Then take off the stem and place in an air tight container.
USES: Thyme is a very pungent herb and needs to be used appropriately. The leaves and flowering tops are used to add flavor to foods such as meat and poultry, herb butter, sauces, soups, salads, tomatoes, pasta, egg dishes, cheeses, stuffings, fish and clam chowder. Fresh or dried, the leaves and flowers are usually added to other herbs and spices. Thyme is typically an ingredient in Italian seasoning herb blends and in herb and spice mixtures, like poultry seasoning.
One of my earlier posts, Cheesy Thyme and Ham Potato Gratin Stacks, a delicious recipe that highlights fresh Thyme. https://teastheseason3.com/cheesy-thyme-and-ham-potato-gratin-stacks/
Lemon Balm
I wasn’t very familiar with this herb, so learning about lemon balm was fun. Lemon balm is a very aromatic member of the mint family and has a bright, citrusy taste that brings together the acidity of lemon with subtle hints of mint.
PRESERVING: Methods for preserving lemon balm are similar to the other herbs we have talked about. I dried the lemon balm I was gifted.
USES: Lemon balm is used as a flavoring in ice cream and herbal teas. It can be paired with fruit dishes or candies as well. Lemon balm can be used in fish dishes and is the main ingredient in…yes, Lemon Balm pesto!
To be consistent with the Teas The Season mission, I have included a recipe for making Lemon Balm Tea! This can be served both hot and cold. https://geturbanleaf.com/lemon-balm-tea-recipe/
Mint
This very well know herb. Mint has that characteristic minty cooling flavor. Chewing on a sprig after dinner can freshen your breath and help with digestion. This is an extremely versatile herb that is fun to have on hand and experiment with.
PRESERVING: You can dry or freeze fresh mint leaves. I froze the mint I had. Remove it from the stem, chop up the leaves, place them in an ice cube tray and cover with water.
USES: There are many things that you can do with mint….mint sugar, mint syrup, mint ice tea, Mint Julep….just to name a few. In salads, pastas, rices, meats, drinks, sauces and baked goods. You can find mint recipes for just about anything.
This was caught my eye. Chocolate and mint go so well together but this recipe uses fresh mint. https://www.dessertfortwo.com/mint-chocolate-chip-cookies/
Thank you for joining this walk through my abundance of herbs. There are so many different herbs and huge variations on how they can be used. I do not claim to be an expert and only touched the surface of these amazing little gifts. I hope that this encouraged you to give fresh herbs a try.
And I know that a good neighbor is all you need to begin to have some fun with herbs.
60 Comments
Lisa Manderino
That is so awesome that you preserved these. I love all of the flavors that these herbs produce.
Beth
Hi Lisa – Thanks for your comment. My kitchen smelled amazing. And she just gave me another bundle over the fence! Love having access to them. I’m in an arid environment and can’t grow things very well (might be me as well)so this was a blessing for sure. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Barbara
This was very informative. I have heard of Lemon Balm, but never tried it.
Since its fall, all this herb info, makes me want to cook up something using some
delicious fresh herbs! Yumm!
Beth
Hi Barbara – Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes, the smell was great and want to take advantage of these gifts. My freezer and spice cupboard are full for sure.
Holly
What a wonderful neighbor you have! I live fresh herbs and than drying them for the winter! Great post!
Beth
Hi Holly – Its been a fun friendship – just over the fence. Like an old-time neighbor. Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment. Much appreciated.
Sydney Delong
These are great tips! I am always at a loss of how to store my herbs.
Beth
Hi Sydney – Thanks so much for your comment. Glad that you enjoyed the post. Store them, freeze them, or gift them! I am doing that with the second bunch that I just received.
Jill DeMasi
Thanks for these tips! I love the idea of freezing them. I never knew I could do that! We have a basil and mint plant and don’t want them to go to waste!
Beth
Hi Jill – You are welcome. Yes, even when you buy them in the store, you don’t use the whole thing generally. Glad that it gave you some hints and helps. Thanks for your comment.
Megan
Great tips for preserving! I love using herbs. They pack so much flavor and health benefits!
Beth
Hi Megan – Thanks for your comment. Yes, I likely could have done an individual post on each herb – clearly just scratched the surface and didn’t really even touch on any of the medicinal benefits. Amazing little guys for sure. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Brianna
Wow how nice of your neighbor to give you such amazing gifts! All of these herbs sound amazing. Thank you for sharing on how you can preserve them, I never thought to do that.
Beth
Hi Brianna – Yes, it was a great gift (which I got a second helping of yesterday!). So glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
Ashley Pacheco
I like, I never thought of preserving them this way. Thanks!
Beth
Hi Ashley – So glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes, there are tons of ways I didn’t even touch on – these are the most common. So give it a try! Thanks for your comment.
Audrey
My fiancee is a gardener Extraordinaire. I’m going to share this with him. Great post.
Beth
Hi Audrey – Well, I certainly do no claim to be an expert. In fact, could probably have done a post on each herb. So high level, common “non-extraordinaire” person here. Very glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Leeandra
I love using fresh herbs when I cook, I never thought to preserve them before thanks for the info!
Beth
Hi Leeandra – Glad that you enjoyed the post. Preserve those herbs! Thanks for your comment.
Kelly
Oh that was so nice of your neighbor I would’ve been so happy. I’m familiar with most of the herbs and have used most but I’ve never heard of the Marjoram. Definitely will look into that a bit more. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy cooking with all your new goodies!
Beth
Hi Kelly – You are correct – it was so sweet and fun to see them hanging over the back fence. So much information on the herbs – this was just a snippet of what these herbs are about. Have fun looking into marjoram. Thanks for your comment and glad you enjoyed the post.
Tiffany Smith
I’m going to have buy ice trays!
Beth
Hi Tiffany – Yes, but you can take them out of the cubes and then store in a bag. I am getting by with just a few! Give it a try. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Maria Gustafsson
You have such a lovely neighbour!! And I’m in awe of your tenacity to preserve everything so diligently! You will be enjoying all that freshness all winter.
Beth
Hi Maria – Yes, its been fun as we hang things over the fence. I just hate to throw herbs out and when I buy them, I never seem to use them up. Now with this abundance, I had to preserve! Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for the comment.
Alyssa
What an awesome guide to preserving these herbs! I wish I had a garden but this is a great way to continue to use the herbs without letting them expire! I love the rosemary and olive oil ice cube tray.
Beth
Hi Alyssa – Or get a neighbor who hangs things over your fence! I was just blessed with another bunch of herbs – so back at it again. Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, it helps not have things expire for sure.
Beth
I enjoyed this – sort of an herb garden walk and a recipe roundup at the same time. I had a LOT of basil in my garden this year but wasn’t sure about freezing it. Glad to have the benefit of your experience.
Beth
Hi Beth – So glad that you enjoyed this. Well, its certainly experience and not expertise (ha). Yes, I am a big lover of my freezer is all forms, so its great to have the herbs either dried or in my freezer. Thanks so much for your comment. And go ahead and freeze. if you are inclined for the pesto recipe – that freezes very well also!
Sabrina DeWalt
Fresh from the garden herbs are the best. The aroma is absolutely intoxicating. Even when dried or frozen they are still far superior to what you buy at the store.
Beth
Hi Sabrina – Yes the smell is amazing. And since this post, my neighbor hung some more over the fence, so I am back to enjoying the smell and preserving. This time also gifting. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
Ramae Hamrin
Thyme is one of my favorite herbs too! How nice to be gifted all those herbs. I honestly wouldn’t have known what to do with all of them. I had no idea about the rosemary/olive oil in the ice cube tray!
Beth
Hi Ramae – Yes the rosemary olive oil approach is one of my favorites. I use it all the time and make sure I have a bunch in my freezer for stews, marinades, and anything I am trying. It was a great blessing for sure. I will be hanging some of the baked goods over the fence in return! Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Kristin
What a wonderful gift! We love and appreciate fresh herbs.
Beth
Hi Kristin – Yes it was a wonderful gift. Just got gifted again – so back at preserving! My freezer is full. Thanks for your comment.
Debbie
Love to have herbs in my freezer too! Tips I can use!
Beth
Hi Debbie – So glad that you enjoyed the post. I am one to try anything for my freezer…so the herbs were there too! Thanks for your comment.
Chelsea
I love the idea of storing them in ice cube trays. My fresh herbs go bad so quickly and the taste just isn’t the same with the dried ones. So having them fresh from the freezer is awesome.
Beth
Hi Chelsea – Yes, the ice cube trays have been great. And once frozen, you can just pop them out and store them in a bag. I was always wasting my store bought herbs until I started doing this. So glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
What a wonderful gift! You can never have too many herbs stored for future use, and you have listed many options for preserving!
Beth
Hi Suzan – It was a wonderful gift for sure and I had to chuckle when I was looking at my fence. I would consider you an expert in all of this and saw your post on hanging the fresh basil – what a gorgeous picture. And yes, the smell is just amazing. So cleaning and preserving is also a treat because of all the fragrances. Thanks so much for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Elaina
Fantastic ways to preserve these. Rosemary is also one of my absolute favorites, along with dill.
Beth
Hi Elaina – Yes rosemary is a favorite of mine as well. I didn’t get any dill this year – not sure that my neighbor grew any. It was fun to just preserve these. Glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Akiko
I love fresh herbs but I never think to plan them myself. These are great tips for preserving them so that they don’t go to waste. Maybe next year!
Beth
Hi Akiko – I plant them and they either wilt or are eaten, so this was a real treat for me. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment. I am glad to have a freezer and a dehydrator!
Marianne
Love this post! Right now, I have a ton of oregano, mint and chives growing in my garden… or should I say overgrowing! I took care of my basil, by turning it into pesto! I like the ice cube tray with olive oil idea… will give it a go with my oregano. Thanks for a great read!
Beth
Hi Marianne – Thanks so much for sharing your herbal fun. Yes, much of the basil had gone to tops, as we say here. That’s pesto for me for sure. I have only done the olive oil preserve with rosemary – its so hearty but sure it would work with others. Let me know how it goes. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Barbara
These are great ideas! Especially freezing in olive oil with herbs! I am going to use that one forsure!
Beth
Hi Barbara – Thanks for your comment. Yes, that seems to be a favorite for people. Always a bag of frozen rosemary cubes in my freezer. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Jessica
I’ve seen the herbs in an ice cube tray idea, but haven’t tried it. I really need to though because I love fresh herbs, they make sure a difference in cooking!
Beth
Hi Jessica – Well I have been using the rosemary in ice cube trays for some time. I hate to waste the fresh herbs and enjoy cooking with them as well. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Maya
Such an informative post, learnt a lot about preserving different herbs. Thank you, for sharing.
Beth
Hi Maya – So glad that you enjoyed the post. I am still learning as well and there is so much information and use for herbs. Its amazing. Thanks for your comment.
Cindy Mailhot
You always have such great information and such useful information. Thank you.
Beth
Hi Cindy – Thanks so much for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post. And very glad that you find this information helpful.
Alice
Thank you for this information. I have as of yet used fresh herbs. I will pin this so I have it for later.
Beth
Hi Alice – Thanks so much for your comment and thank you for pinning the post. Appreciate that.
Cindy Moore
What a kind and thoughtful neighbor! I love herbs so much. I use them fresh as often as possible and dry the rest. Herbal teas are my favorite.
Beth
Hi Cindy – Yes a very kind neighbor. So have you made Lemon Balm tea? I have not but saw in my research that this is a common thing with this herb. Glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comment.