After being out of commission since Wednesday night, I finally am feeling like I’m on the mend. I haven’t gotten to any projects, but I did want to share a quick tip with you.
Do you know what this is?
It’s frozen cilantro.
We use fresh herbs frequently, and I have a trick for keeping them fresh a little longer, but there are times when we can’t use it fast enough no matter what. (There are also times when fresh herbs are on sale and I want to stock up at a low price…)
How to take advantage of sales? Wash and chop your herbs, place them in a sandwich baggie and fill with enough water to cover the herbs. Pop into the freezer until you’re ready to use. The water keeps the herbs green and fresh looking and seals out any air that might get to them.
Today I’m making chili. I took a baggie of my frozen cilantro…
Sliced open the baggie, took out my frozen little brick of fresh cilantro… and popped it right into the simmering pot of chili.
In addition to saving money, it’s a time saver too. Sometimes I get a wild, organizational hair and prep a bunch of different herbs this way and then can easily drop them into soups, sauces, etc whenever I need.
Easy. I love that.
Glad you’re feeling better. I’m trying not to get sick. Ugh. Great tip because I can never use all of the cilantro, basil, etc. that I buy and end up throwing it out.
Nuh uh! I didn’t know you could do that. Maybe I’ll actually start buying fresh herbs then…lol.
Glad you’re feeling better!
Great tip!
Glad you are on the mend. This is a great idea. I do this with the giant bag of garlic cloves you.get at Costco, but never thought of doing it with things like cilantro or basil. Thanks.
I’ve always wondered if I could freeze my herbs but never tried it! So glad you shared this with us and glad you are feeling better! 🙂
Vanessa
That is brilliant! I can’t tell you how many times I have thrown away herbs…it always makes me feel sick…now I am going to freeze them…how fabulous!
SO smart! I never think to freeze the herbs, esp. Cilantro. I usually use it up, but sometimes it goes bad and then I feel bad….
Totally could have used this last week when sadly what was left of my cilantro went bad :(. Will definatly use this for next time. Thanks for sharing and glad you are feeling better.
I could TOTALLY do that! I rarely buy fresh herbs because they go bad before I use them.
So, did you really cook? If you did, does this mean that you’re off the couch?
I hope you’re nursing yourself back to the old Viv. {Not as in OLD OLD. You know what I mean}.
xoxo
I love that idea! I had no idea you could do that with herbs. Thanks! I took a button for my blog, too. 🙂
What a great idea!!! I will start doing this
Thanks
Hugs
SueAnn
What a great tip! Is it so sad that I almost never use fresh herbs? But I always think I need to start the habit!
I’m sorry you’ve felt crappy, but so glad you are on the mend!
xoxo
Vivienne, I have NEVER heard of this technique, and I’ve been cooking for a long, long time. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Hope you’re feeling all well now!
I love doing this! I do it in an ice cube tray in case I want smaller herb portions. Just make sure the herbs are covered with water (or olive oil) before freezing! It also works with pesto, just cover it with olive oil before freezing. Yummy fresh-from-the-garden taste in the middle of winter!
I’m guessing this wouldn’t work for, say, guacamole? But instead of water I’m gonna try lime and lemon (one of each to see if one is any better than the other. probably no difference) I love this cuz I can never finish off the cilantro & that’s probably why I’m afraid to buy fresh herbs Thx so much for the tip!! 🙂