The Tips Ted Allen Recommends For Keeping Herbs Fresh
Keeping produce fresh can be somewhat of a tricky thing, especially when it comes to herbs. Whether you've picked up a bundle of cilantro to add to your dinner later or it's for a recipe you want to try over the weekend, the sprigs always seem to be a little droopy and wilted when you pull them out of the refrigerator for use, making you question your purchase of the garnishes in the first place.
Fortunately, there's a wonderful thing called the internet, where you can do a quick search for how to extend the life of your fresh herbs. Or, if you happen to be following Ted Allen on Twitter, all you have to do is head to his profile. The "Chopped" host recently shared an article from Bon Appétit that, according to Allen's tweet, was full of "pro tips" for getting your herbs prepped not only for their lives in the fridge but for use as well.
Per the publication, rinsing your herbs immediately after coming back from the store is key to keeping them fresher for longer, not to mention that the step will make you "100 times more likely to reach for them when you're in the kitchen." But there's a bit more that goes into this than just hosing your parsley off in the sink. Here's the quick, easy, and Ted Allen-approved method you should be following.
Use this three-step method to keep your herbs fresh and green
Fresh herbs can make or break a dish, but you need to show them a little TLC to get them in tip-top shape for your meals. Start by grabbing a set of kitchen shears or a knife to trim the stems of your herb of choice (which, by the way, can be incorporated into a ton of dishes). According to Bon Appétit, this will set them up to absorb water better and, more importantly, will have them looking prettier on your plate.
Following their trim, place your herbs in a salad spinner filled with cold water. Gently agitate the bundle by hand to lift off any dirt that may be clinging to them, then drain the dirty water from the spinner. Continue to do this until the water is completely clear and then use the spinner to dry them (via Bon Appétit). Store your clean herbs in a plastic bag, but be sure to wrap them up in a damp paper towel. The moisture, Bon Appétit notes, will help them stay fresh in the refrigerator, where they can be stored for up to a week. Need them for longer? There are a handful of methods for freezing your herbs, too.