HERB DRYING GUIDE
Most herbs may be dried in your NESCO
plant stalk and stem. Seeds and leaves are easily stripped from the plant when dry.
Drying temperature should not exceed 95°F to 105°F (35C to 41C). Do not dry herbs
with fruits and vegetables. Store in glass containers in a cool, dark place to reduce
flavor loss. Label clearly before storage because they are difficult to recognize when
dry. Do not powder leaves until you are ready to use.
Food
Preparation
Anise Leaves
Rinse in cold water, and
pat dry
Anise Seeds
Rinse in hot water, pat
dry
Basil Leaves
Clip leaves 3 to 4 inches
(break veins,
from top of plant just
as first buds appear, pat
and stems to aid
drying)
dry
Caraway
Clip entire plant. Dip in
boiling water, pat dry
Chili Peppers
Rinse and dice, pat dry
Chives Leaves
Chop, rinse in cold
water, pat dry
Cilantro Leaves
Clip with stems. Rinse in
cold water, pat dry
Coriander
Clip entire plant. Dip in
boiling water, pat dry
Cumin Seeds
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Dill Leaves
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Fennel
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Garlic Clove
Cut in half lengthwise,
pat dry
/American Harvest
dehydrator right on the
®
®
Drying Time
Uses
1-3 hours
Soups, stews,
sauces, vegetable
and fruit salads
2-5 hours
Rehydrate, serve in
cream sauce
20-24 hours
Italian and
Mediterranean
tomato meat dishes,
salads, soups, fish,
poultry and egg
dishes
2-5 hours
Pork, sauerkraut,
rye bread, cheese,
vegetables, cookies
5-12 hours
Powder for
seasoning
Mild onion flavor, use
20-24 hours
in moist recipes
15-18 hours
Mexican, Chinese
and Mediterranean
dishes
2-5 hours
Sausage, pickling
spices, Seeds apple,
and pear dishes
2-5 hours
Curries and chili
dishes
1-3 hours
Salads, vegetables,
potatoes and fish
1-3 hours
Salads, soups or
stews
6-12 hours
Salt, powder, recipes
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Food
Preparation
Ginger Root
Rinse, slice 3/8" or
grate, pat dry
Ginger Leaves
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Marjoram Leaves Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Mint Leaves
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Mustard Seeds
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Oregano Leaves
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Parsley Leaves/
Rinse in cold water, pat
stems
dry.
Rosemary
Rinse in cold water, pat
Leaves
dry
Sage Leaves/
Rinse in cold water, pat
stems
dry
Tarragon Leaves
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Thyme Leaves
Rinse in cold water, pat
dry
Rehydrating Dried Food
Rehydrate by placing dried foods in a container (with enough water to cover food)
and soaking for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Boiling water rehydrates foods more quickly
than cold water. Fruits or vegetables may also be rehydrated in liquids other than
water, including fruit juices, cider, vegetable juices, milk, consomme, etc. Refrigerate
these foods while they are soaking to reduce any risk of spoilage. Do not add
seasonings, especially salt or sugar, during rehydration because they slow the
rehydration process.
Cooking with Dried Food
After rehydrating food, cook it as you would normally. If foods are cooked before
they are fully rehydrated, they will cook in a shriveled state and will not be plump.
Drying Time
Uses
2-5 hours
Meat dishes,
vegetables, cookies
and desserts
1-3 hours
Soups
Italian, meat, fish,
1-3 hours
egg and poultry
dishes
20-24 hours
Sauces, mint jelly
and lamb dishes
2-5 hours
Corned beef,
sauerkraut, salad
dressings and
cabbage
15-18 hours
Italian, Greek,
Mexican and tomato
dishes
20-24 hours
Powder, use leaves
for flakes
20-24 hours
Barbecue sauces,
poultry, meats, egg
dishes, lamb and
vegetables
20-24 hours
Poultry, pork, lamb,
veal and fish dishes
Sauces, salads, fish
20-24 hours
and poultry
Meat, fish, poultry
1-3 hours
dishes, green beans,
beets, carrots and
potatoes
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