If you live in a colder climate like us here in Montreal, having access to fresh organic local herbs in the Winter time can be quite challenging. Its a good time now that Fall Is approaching to start thinking about how you can store up all the fresh lovely abundant herbs still around. Freezing Herbs in a good quality olive oil – in ice cube trays is a great way to save your herbs and keep the fresh flavors.
Freezing herbs in water causes them to crystalize, damaging flavor. Olive oil will not have this effect, but will preserve herbs by preventing contact with air. Frozen olive oil has the consistency of butter. Olive Oil easily reconstitutes when melted without loss of flavor.
It might seem like a bit of work, but you will be grateful for it this winter when your making your sauces, salads, soups, ect with your beautifully stored stash. + You will also save money!
When thawed or just heated right up from frozen, these frozen cubes work great in stews, sautes, soups, roasts and more.
How-To Preserve and Freeze Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil
Choose fresh herbs wash and dry the herbs, if necessary
Chop the herbs or leave whole
You can mix and match creating your own blends based on what you use most often
Pack the ice cube trays about 3/4 of the way full with the fresh herbs
Pour olive oil or coconut oil over the top of the herbs, filling the wells
Label, if you will have a hard time identifying or recalling the herbs or blends that you used (it is quite hard to do once they are frozen)
Place the trays into the freezer and freeze overnight
Once frozen, remove the cubes from the trays and place in labeled, ziplock plastic bags and place back in the freezer until you are ready to use.
