I didn't realize

[ksmith]

Order arrived today from Penzey's.

::sigh::

Four ounces of dried basil is a *lot* of dried basil.

Now I know.

Comments

[barbarienne.livejournal.com]

This sounds like an excuse to make pesto!

Fresh basil freezes, though the leaves go wilty-soggy-limp as they thaw, so only take out what you're going to use, and don't expect to use it whole. Dried basil doesn't need to be frozen.

Dried basil will be fine much longer than you think it will, as long as you keep it in a dark copboard. I've kept dried herbs for years and they get a little weaker, but you simply increase the amount (from, say, half a teaspoon to 3/4 teaspoon or a whole teaspoon) and it works out fine.


Also, 4 oz of bay leaves? Wow, that's a lot of bay leaves. You could hold an olympics and hand out laurel-crowns to the winners.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I searched on "dried basil pesto" online, and the results weren't encouraging. Someone who claimed to be a chef said that the dried basil doesn't allow for the same consistency of sauce--I would guess that it may not be as thick after processing.

Good to know that dried herbs last a while, because I have lots. I keep them in a cupboard, so yes, dark.

And yes, 4 oz of bay leaves is indeed a lot of bay leaves. I hope they keep as well.