Saturday, November 17, 2012

2012 PURPLE COW FESTIVAL

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms
.”
I Peter 4:10

Today was the 2012 Purple Cow Festival at Full Moon Natives & Herbs which offered several free seminars, workshops, children’s activities plus much more – can’t wait until next year!

 

My seminar was on the Herbal Harvest and first included the following tips on harvesting herbs from your garden, however, you could also harvest from your local grocery store!

·       Herb flavors are generally strongest just as the flower
  buds  appear, but before they are fully open

·       Pick healthy growth & discard damaged leaves

·       Gather in the morning – after the dew has dried but
  before the sun gets hot

·       Wash and dry herbs in cold salt water before preserving

·       Cut annuals just above a leaf leaving at least 6” of stem

·       to harvest seeds: allow to mature, collect when turning
  brown into a paper bag until thoroughly dry

·       Cut only 1/3 of the top growth of perennials except chives
  which should be cut completely to the ground each time

 

Next, tips on the ways to preserve the harvested herbs including freezing, drying or preparing culinary herbal products to use or share as a blessing with others.

 

Freezing

·       Chives, dill, marjoram, mints, oregano, parsley, sage,
  thyme and tarragon can be frozen in small packets to use
  as needed or whole leaves can be frozen on a baking
  sheet.  Place in small plastic bags – seal and label.  Add
  whatever you need, unthawed, for cooking.

·       Herbs can be combined in blender/food processor with
  water to cover, then frozen in ice cube trays.  A good way
  to preserve a mixture of herbs.  Good for soups, juices and
  sauces.

·       Freeze seasoning mixes – for stuffing chopped onions, 
  celery and herbs like parsley, sage, marjoram, savory &
  thyme.  Thaw and add to bread cubes when you’re ready
  to stuff the bird.

·       Freeze mint or lemon balm leaves and edible flowers like
  violets or borage in containers filled with water for
  decorative ice cubes or punch bowl rings.


Drying

·       Eliminate the moisture as quickly as possible while
  retaining the oils that gives the leaves color and flavor.

·       Hang long stemmed herbs: gather bouquet of 5-8 stems,
  tie ends together and hang upside down in a shady place
  with good air circulation inside a brown paper bag with
  ventilation holes for 2-4 weeks

·       Screen dry small herbs, leaves and seed heads – old
  window screen, sweater dryer or cheesecloth stretched
  over a picture frame.  Strip leaves, lay on dryer and
  protect from sun in a well-ventilated area.  These will dry
  in days, not weeks.

·       Oven – put on trays & turn on the light only

·       Food Dehydrator – place leaves on trays and follow
  instructions for drying

·       Once dried, store as whole as possible in a cool, dry place
  away from sunlight for no more than 1 year

           

 

Finally, some of the easy to make culinary herbal products that were demonstrated and sampled (NOTE: for recipes and additional information click on the products for links to earlier posts):

 

Herb Jelly

Herbs can enhance many ordinary jelly recipes with infusions instead of the ordinary liquid.

 

Herb Mustards 
Herbs can be added to homemade mustards or added to prepared mustards.  For more information and recipes see this earlier post.

 

Herb Butters

Herbs can be chopped and added to butter to be used on vegetables, brushed on grilled meats, melted into sauces or simply used on breads or crackers.  Most refrigerated herb butter stay fresh for up to a month, and they can be frozen

 

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Combine chopped rosemary & lemon thyme with butter & lemon juice to make Lemon-Rosemary Butter

 

 

Herb Salts
Salt removes moisture from herb leaves and you can either alternate layers of salt and herbs in a jar, cover and store in a dark place or combined in a food processor then spread mixture on cookie sheet to dry for an hour at 200 degrees.

GARLIC HERB SALT

1 bulb garlic                                     
1/4c rosemary

1/2c basil                                          
1Tbs black peppercorns  

1/4c oregano                                    
24oz sea salt 

            Wash & dry herbs.  Let rest overnight.  Peel and chop garlic fine then put into a food processor.  Add the herbs and the peppercorns a little at a time until they are chopped fine.  Slowly add the salt.  The salt will begin to dry out the herb paste.  When it is mostly dry and a suitable size, spread onto waxed paper and let dry overnight.  Store in airtight container.  Use to flavor meats before grilling.

Herb Honey

Herbs can be added to honey for use in recipes, tea or drizzled on your favorite bread.

 

Herb Vinegars
Herbs may be added to wine vinegars – white, rice or red – to create unique salad dressings and marinades.   For more information and recipes see this earlier post.

 

Herb Sugar

Herbs may be added to flavor sugar which then can be used in recipes, sprinkled on cookies or added to your favorite cup of tea.  They can be mixed in and ground or layered between sugar and removed before use.

 

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Layered Rose Geranium leaves and sugar in a canning jar

 

 

 

 

 

Herb Tea Blends
Herbs may be used individually or combined to make herbal teas or added to your favorite green, oolong or black tea.  Blending is the art of adding more than one tea or herb together to create a blend.  Custom blends are a wonderful and healthy gift. 

 

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Blending the herbs . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. . . and the finished product

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMFORT & JOY
1c Rooibos - Red Tea
1/2c German Chamomile
1/4c Calendula petals
1/4c Spearmint
1/4c Lemongrass
2Tbs Cinnamon chips 

See these links for more information on available free presentations and demonstrations for your groups!

 

                                                                                     Joyce

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