Simple Pleasures -- Ready-to-Use Herbs

             Every year, 20 billion pounds of fresh produce is thrown away before it is ever consumed in the U.S.!   How mind-boggling in its wastefulness.  Yet with one simple action, at least we can significantly limit the waste we produce in our own kitchen.  And add zest and flavor to our everyday meals at home.

Freshly chopped  chives from alwaysorderdessert.com

            In the not-too-distant past, I have been part of this national problem, frequently throwing away fresh herbs which had become unfit to eat.  Guilty as charged!  Herbs got buried in the bottom drawer of the fridge, lost their color, turned slimy, or I just plain forgot about them—until it was too late. 

            Along with the sense of disappointment and wasted effort, I ate less tasty meals (perhaps using more salt to compensate).  Or I made yet another trip to the grocery store.  Or changed dinner plans completely (including deciding to order-in or go-out.)  Does any of this sound familiar to you? 

            So rev up your taste buds, because now you can have fresh herbs on hand all the time.  (And far less of it will be thrown away because it is rotten.)  Just think: you’ll be able to easily grab "fresh" herbs to add to your favorite pasta dish or casserole at a moment’s notice.  Here are the details.

Freeze your Fresh Herbs.

            Now, I’m no gourmet chef, but I do like to enjoy fresh, healthful meals without too much fuss.  By simply freezing fresh herbs, life in the kitchen can be so much more pleasurable and easy.  This simple task will help you

·      Save money -- as you’ll buy fresh herbs less frequently

·      Use more and varied flavorings -- adding to your sense of satisfaction

·      Reduce cleanup -- because you’ll only make a mess once

·      Do less work -- less lifting, fewer tasks, less moving or transporting around in the kitchen, and

·      Experience more successes.  Receive more raves from the family.

            You might even discover how creative you are by experimenting with new food combinations.  Just by knowing you have fresh, already prepared herbs on hand, you’ll more likely find new ways to use them—in scrambled eggs, mixed with cream cheese, added to soups, potatoes, or other hot foods.

Simplify, Limit, Focus – with Safety in Mind:

(The new mantra for me and my friends with multiple sclerosis)

            Chives, parsley, and cilantro are obvious candidates for freezing.   I no longer bend to locate or rummage through my refrigerator.  I use kitchen gadgets less frequently, and so I don’t have to find and clean them as often.  And how much safer I feel knowing that I have fewer occasions to handle a sharp knife.

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            Plus,, I prepare herbs when I feel most able to.  Not right before dinner when so many other things require my attention.  Having the herbs already prepared allows me to focus on fewer things as the dinner hour approaches.  Life is a bit easier that way.

           

Do Less, by Doing Double-Duty.

            I do not automatically put the herbs in the refrigerator drawer after bringing them home.  Instead, I begin with Step 1: Rinse them, and lay them out on a paper towel to dry as I put other groceries away.  I continue to blot them, as they must be completely dry before I process them any further.

            Step 2: I gather all my supplies (so that I only move around once, and can keep my attention on the task at hand).  I collect my plastic cutting board (which I store in a drawer just below the counter to that it is easy for me to lift), my chef’s knife (which I feel most comfortable using it everything), kitchen scissors (to remove stems from the parsley and cilantro), and a small plastic container with tight lid to later be labeled and dated.

            Step 3: Using my chef’s knife like this, I chop the whole container of chives at once.  When preparing parsley or cilantro, I first remove the stems with a scissors.

            Step 4: The chopped herbs to straight into the plastic container, and then directly into my freezer door, zoned for just these types of items.  (They won’t get lost there.)

            Step 5: A quick rinse of my cutting board and knife, and I’m all cleaned up—all set for multiple uses in the weeks to come. 

   

            So go ahead and take advantage of the fresh bounty at farmer’s markets.  Buy bundles of fresh herbs without guilt.  Because now you’ll freeze your fresh herbs, extending their lives, not allowing them to rot and be thrown away.  

Enjoy!